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Grand Teton National Park Officials Contemplating Needs of Historic Buildings

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Grand Teton National Park officials are working to develop a plan to manage historic buildings such as the upper Granite Canyon patrol cabin. NPS photo.

Across the National Park System there are thousands and thousands of buildings, and more than a few are old, often historic, and in need of some serious repairs and upgrades. But how should the National Park Service go about that? At Grand Teton National Park, that's a question officials are getting ready to explore.

On February 8 park officials will host a public meeting to discuss the development of a comprehensive plan for management of the park's historic properties. The meeting will take place from 5–7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 43, 182 North Cache Street in Jackson, Wyoming. A short presentation on the historic properties will be followed by conversations with park staff to further inform participants about the scope of the management plan and its objectives.

The Historic Properties Management Plan will provide general guidance for the administration of historic properties, and establish site-specific treatment for some locations. The plan will not re-evaluate historic properties currently used for visitor services, or for work space and housing by the park or its partners. Instead, analysis will focus on 14 historic properties that are currently without an identified use. Some of the properties may be listed as “in poor condition;” some may also be identified as having a high interest for the park, its partners, or the public.

The properties include: 4 Lazy F Dude Ranch, Aspen Ridge Ranch residence and barn, Bar BC Dude Ranch, Geraldine Lucas Homestead/Fabian Place, Hunter Hereford Ranch, Leeks Lodge chimney, Luther Taylor historic district, Manges Cabin, McCollister residential complex, Moose entrance kiosk (historic building immediately east of the current entrance kiosks), Sky Ranch, Snake River Land Co. building, Wolff Ranch, and the upper Granite Canyon patrol cabin.

The plan will determine how each of these 14 properties should be managed and outline appropriate treatment: which could range from restoration or stabilization to removal of individual structures.

An increased emphasis on interpretation may be considered for some properties, including those already being used and maintained. The plan would guide the appropriate levels and means of interpretation related to the properties’ history, location, condition and use.

The plan will be adaptive, incorporating periodic evaluation of historic properties and their condition, as well as review of goals for park operations and visitor services.

For further information about the Historic Properties Management Plan for Grand Teton National Park, please visit the park’s planning website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/. Public comments on the plan will be accepted until March 11, 2011.

Comments

Does anyone know what's going on with White Grass Ranch? It's been a few years since I was up there (along the road to Phelps Lake/Death Canyon trail head) but last time we drove by there was heavy equipment - front-loaders, etc. Has it been restored, torn down (gosh, I hope not, it was beautiful!!) or none of the above? It concerns me that it is not mentioned in the historic buildings press release.

I think and hope they will restore Geraldine Lucas, it's easy to access by foot or heavy equipment, interesting, and of historic importance. The other buildings I'm not familiar with.


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