Conducting Historic Preservation Field Schools to Assess and Stabilize the Silver Bell and Golden Bell Mines, Joshua Tree National Park
Project ID: P15AC01792
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Vermont and State Agriculture College
Fiscal Year: 2015
Initial Funding: $83,936
Total Funding: $83,936
Project Type: Technical Assistance
Project Disciplines: Interdisciplinary
National Park: Joshua Tree National Park
Principal Investigator: Porter, Doug
Agreement Technical Representative: Skeirik, Randy
Abstract: The School of Engineering at the University of Vermont (UVM) will participate with staff from the National Park Service (NPS) in a collaborative program of research, documentation, assessment, training, and pilot treatment at the Silver Bell and Golden Bell Mines in Joshua Tree National Park. To preserve cultural resources, enhance interpretive opportunities, and improve visitor safety, the UVM will assess current conditions, propose repairs, and evaluate repair options in the pilot treatment of the mine sites. UVM will assemble a specialized team to conduct the condition assessment and propose treatment strategies for the mine structures. Pilot repair will be addressed using a field school format led by professional timber framers that will result in training of students and volunteers in the repair techniques to be implemented. These tasks will be conducted in two stages. The first will assess current wood condition and make recommendations for stabilization, and the second will establish methods for stabilization through implementation of selected portions of the recommendations. Expected products include: a description of the structures, current conditions, results of the wood assessment, and a range of treatment options and/or recommendations; and a final report that describes the project results along with photo-documentation.
Deliverables: