Cultural Resources Management

A National Park Service Technical Bulletin

Vol.4, No.1 ^LLETIN March 1981 Twenty-Eight Coats of White House History James I. McDaniel

How does one approach the problem of repainting the White House? Because the White House is a memorial to our historic past as well as a functional structure for conducting business, the process is more complex than the yearly maintenance of an urban office buil­ ding. Nevertheless, the procedure fol­ lowed for the White House offers an interesting correlation for other his­ toric buildings.

In recent years, the exterior of the White House has been painted on a four- year cycle. But the amount of inter­ vening touch-up has been steadily in­ creasing. The failure of new paint to adhere to an aged, multi-layered base led to a 1976 National Park Ser­ vice decision to contract with the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) for a comprehensive study of exterior coating performance at the White House. The Park Service closely coordinated See WHITE HOUSE, page 4. White House, east elevation with scaffolding, after paint removal.

Historic Structures of the National Park Service Travis C. McDonald, Jr.

The most comprehensive collection of usual accompanying discussion of ture as a building art, excluding American architecture under single architecture's sister arts: painting, specific historic events. ownership is that which belongs to sculpture, and furnishings. One the American people under the steward­ further disclaimer must be made. American architecture and building ship of the National Park Service. Generally, architecture is designated nautrally begin with Native Americans. The extent of its comprehensiveness, historic for one or both of two By AD 1000, America's prehistoric in fact, makes even this concise reasons. Either it is singled out hunters and gatherers had established history a painful, if not impossible for the historic persons or events distinctive cultures adapted to varied task to perform in the space allotted. with which it is associated, or it climatic regions. Evidence of the The brevity of this article then exemplifies an architectural quality Eastern Woodland Culture (BC 1000 to dictates its scope. The intention in in and of itself. The widely recog­ AD 1000) still exists in the form of offering a smattering of stylistic nized historic structures found in earthen mounds. These mounds were examples identified in a broad context the historic areas of the Park System hand constructed and were generally is to generate an appreciation of such (outnumbering natural areas two to geometric in plan, serving the function a diverse group of structures. Not one) were designated as such to of defense, burial, or as effigies. all conceivable building types or "commemorate persons, events, and Examples are found at Effigy Mounds styles can be discussed. Inclusion activities important in the Nation's National Monument, Iowa; Mound City of specific examples does not imply past. " Many natural and recreational Group National Monument, Ohio; and their superiority any more than areas also contain historic structures Ocmulgee National Monument, Georgia. exclusion implies inferiority, but that were usually acquired with the The tribes settling the west, reacting rather, examples were chosen for property. In order to include these to a different climate, developed their characteristic qualities. "non-historically associated" struc­ their own building forms. The Anasazi tures in the development of this culture, for example, developed a Unfortunately, this article will article, the context will be that of pueblo building technology consisting necessarily be divorced from the the development of American architec­ See STRUCTURES, page 2. ... STRUCTURES, from page 1. supported on a post-on-sill construc­ tion, creating a gallery or porch on one or more sides. This form is thought of mud bricks, adobe plaster and cedar to have originated in the Carribean logs. Examples include the Cliff region. The reconstructed Great Hall Palace (ca. AD 1100) at Mesa Verde at Grand Portage National Monument, National Park, Colorado; Casa Blanca Minnesota, and the original section of (11th century) at Canyon de Chelly the Ranch House at Montana's Grant- National Monument, Arizona; Pueblo Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site Bonito {ca. AD 920) at Chaco Canyon are examples of this house form. National Monument, New Mexico; and the massive, four-story building (14th With the turn of a new century in 1700, century) at Casa Grande National the advent of a new style, the Monument, Arizona. Georgian, swept through the English colonies, lasting approximately eighty Sixteenth- and seventeenth-century years. This style was the result of America was the scene of legendary seventheenth- and eighteenth-century European rivalry for territory in the English architecture which had been New World. The main contestants, Spain, influenced by the architecture of the England, and France, competed for foot­ Italian Renaissance. The principal holds in the American wilderness, which English influences on America were Sir along with Native Americans, became Christopher Wren and James Gibbs, Wren their common denominator. It was only having been the earlier influence. The natural that the Europeans who came, prevalence of such an "academic" style whether for political, religious, was due to the availability of archi­ military, or personal reasons, trans­ tectural handbooks used by gentleman ported Old World building forms with architects. Georgian characteristics them. The history of American archi­ include symmetry, axiality, geometric tecture from this point onward is one proportions, classical details, pro­ of adaptation and change; a variety Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde NP. jecting entrance pavilions, Palladian of reasons necessitated that the trans­ window, sash windows, and usually a planted European architecture slowly hipped roof. Later Georgian buildings become Americanized. The buildings also featured giant pilasters, corner constructed by the English colonists quoins, roof balustrades, and composi­ along the Atlantic seaboard during the tions using connected dependencies. seventeenth century can best be Compared to its English models, the labeled medieval survival. Drawing on American Georgian was provincial in English architecture from the sixteenth its scale and lavishness. Domestic and seventeenth centuries, the colo­ and public examples include Hampton nists were forced by the harsh extremes Mansion (1783-90), Maryland; the of the New World climate to develop Longfellow House (1759), Massachusetts; two basic types of houses: northern the Nelson House (ca. 1711), Yorktown, and southern. Both were characterized Virginia; and the complex of buildings by steeply pitched gable roofs; small at Independence National Historical panes of glass in leaded casements; Park, Philadelphia. Georgian church protective exterior sheathing on design was also derived from Wren and frame houses; and little or no Gibbs, such as the Old South Meeting decorative architectural features. House (172930); the Old North Church, 1723-40, both in Boston; and the Touro In the northern areas, heavy-timbered Synagogue (1759-63), Newport. houses were usually constructed around a massive central chimney in order to conserve heat. The wall filling be­ Architectural styles are never dis­ tween timbers consisted of brick nog- continued at any precise moment. ging or waddle-and-daub and was covered San Jose Mission, San Antonio Missions NHP. The Revolutionary War provides a on the exterior by clapboards for convenient end point for the Georgian protection against the weather. If two period, but it continued to be used story, the northern houses had a nology in early mission churches in into the nineteenth century by build­ second-story overhang. The Paul Revere the New Mexico area, resulting in a ers who knew nothing else. New styles House, ca. 1676, in Boston is a good combination of European and Indian begin as slowly as the previous ones example of a New England house from forms. On the other hand, a lack of end, usually through decorative arts the seventeenth century. The typical skilled Indian labor in Texas and or by the application of new decorative southern house was one and one-half Arizona led to imported Spanish arti­ architectural features to an earlier stories with dormer windows and two sans who created missions that were house form. Despite the American gable-end chimneys. The kitchen chim­ conceptually and technically much more Revolution, England remained the ney was usually on the exterior of European, even if provincial. An ex­ fountainhead of architectural style. the wall due to the excessive summer ample of Spanish Baroque architecture The new Federal style (named after heat. Similarly, the houses were is the mission church (1691) at Tuma- the new nation) was popular from usually only one room deep for venti­ cacori National Monument, Arizona. about 1780 to 1820, and was adapted lation purposes. from the Adamesque style in England. The transplanted French colonial forms The Adam brothers had created a new The architecture transported to America in America were distinct, yet not style in the second-half of the by the Spanish and French was adapted really French. The French traders eighteenth century by observing Roman to a greater degree. Spanish mis­ largely established themselves in the architecture firsthand and by freely sionaries in the Southwest had to rely Mississippi Valley, and built timber adapting those forms and elements. The on Indian labor and building tech­ frame houses with overhanging roofs See STRUCTURES, page 8.

: Interior Finishes of NPS Buildings, Special Segment of America's Decorative Arts Heritage Andrea M. Gilmore

Located from Sitka, Alaska to St. Au­ gustine, Florida, the structures owned by the National Park Service represent the stylistic, geographical, and func­ tional variations found in America's rich architectural heritage. Criss­ crossing the country, a sample of NPS buildings includes: a cattle ranch in Deer Lodge, Montana; a Spanish mission in Tumacacori, Arizona; a Revolutionary War period tavern in Lincoln, Mass­ achusetts, Ellis Island in New York, New York, the Maggie Walker House in Richmond, Virginia and a Spanish fort in St. Augustine, Florida. The interior finishes of this diverse collection (their painted finishes, wallpaper, and wood and plaster moldings) form a specialized segment of our decora­ tive arts tradition. Many of these finishes, such as grained woodwork or block printed wallpaper, were hand­ made by highly skilled artisans. Other finishes, such as Lincrusta Walton or pressed metal ceilings, are early ma­ chine-produced surface coverings. As decorative arts, these finishes have two primary characteristics — first, they are a type of art object, and second, they are integral parts of the structure in which they are found. This dual character poses complex Dining Room of Ranch House, Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS. philosophical and technical problems which must be resolved for their maintenance, preservation, and resto­ the design was stenciled. The paints plaster and the adobe walls. It had ration. A cursory tour of a selected used were composed of mineral pigments been caused by rainwater eroding the sample of NPS buildings reveals the in an aqueous solution. plaster keys. The mechanical bond wealth of this decorative arts heri­ between the plaster and the walls has tage, as well as some of the problems In 1975, Anthony Crosby, Historical been sheared by differential movement encountered in the management of this Architect for the Denver Service Center between the plaster face and the abode collection. began to study how to conserve the walls. Since the primary cause of this Tumacacori paintings. A comprehensive deterioration, eroding rain water, had Plaster Wall Paintings monitoring system was set up to study been eliminated when re-roof ing the two primary problems -- flaking occur­ church, methods for repairing the There were two primary types of plas­ ring to the painted decorations in the plaster and adobe bond were studied. ter wall paintings in the 18th and dome, and the instability of the plas­ Flexible epoxy pins appear to be the 19th centuries -- freehand and sten­ ter substrate. The monitoring indica­ most promising method, but further ciled. Freehand wall decoration was ted that the flaking of the paint was study of the problem is planned. Fu­ produced by brush with no standard caused by efflorescence and subflor- ture conservation at Tumacacori will pattern for the design. Stenciled wall escence, creating stress in the paint be coordinated with the cyclical main­ paintings were produced by painting that resulted in the flaking. The tenance program for the site. patterns cut out of heavy paper. Each source of the salts turned out to be color and shape was produced by a se­ earth fill used in supporting the base Another interesting example of hand- parate stencil. of the dome. Cracked exterior stucco painted wall decoration is found at cement allowed water to penetrate this Lindenwald, Martin Van Buren*s home At the Tumacacori National Monument, fill, which contained nitrate salts, in Kinderhook, New York. These wall the interior walls of the mission and caused the salts to migrate. In paintings recently have been studied church sanctuary are stenciled with 1978, the earth fill was removed and and documented by Margaret Coffin, a provincial Baroque and Neo-classical replaced with low-fired bricks set in consultant to the NPS. The wall paint­ designs. The church was built between a lime mortar. The cracked cement ings found in the c. 1797 portion of 1790 and 1827; the paintings date from stucco was removed and replaced with the house are located in the main en­ the later years of this building cam­ a lime-sand mortar. These two measures trance hall, the dining room, the se­ paign. The wall finish is made up of have reduced significantly the efflor­ cond floor hall, and in a large, second two coats of lime plaster, applied escence occurring in the dome. floor room that may have been the ball­ directly to the adobe and firebrick room. These decorations represent the walls. A limewash was applied over The unstable plaster resulted from the first finish on the plaster walls. the finish plaster. Onto this wash. breakdown of the bond between the See INTERIORS, page 4.

3 ... INTERIORS, from page 3.

The Lindenwald decorations are painted freehand, rather than stenciled. In all rooms except the dining room, the paintings are used as borders; in the dining room, they cover the area of the wall above the chair rail. The designs consist primarily of swags and bunches of fruit and flowers. The ex­ ception is the large, second-floor room which has a border with a draped rope motif. The principal colors used for the wall paintings are green, red, and white.

Unlike the wall paintings at Tumacacori, the wall paintings at Lindenwald have never been exposed to the elements and do not suffer from an unstable plaster substrate or excessive moisture. How­ ever, they pose another difficult doc­ umentary and conservation problem: they have been painted over, except

... WHITE HOUSE, from page 1. ments to measure color difference, adhesion and other characteristics. Laboratory tests were conducted si­ this study with Chief Usher Rex Scouten multaneously to complement the field who represents the First Family in all study. One of the more interesting matters dealing with the residence. laboratory experiments involved use of the Chamber for Accelerated Decay Research began with a review of histor­ (CAD). Developed by the Illinois In­ ical documents on paint and exterior stitute of Technology Research, the maintenance. The NBS concluded there CAD enabled scientists to combine sev­ were too many coats on the White House eral factors affecting stone decay and walls to work with. Paint chips in coating deterioration in one test cycle. some areas measured 1/4-inch {1.9 cm) CAD tests for the White House subjected thick. coated sandstone specimens to chemical attack, salt and water action, thermal Extensive field and laboratory testing effects and freeze/thaw action. Through on paint removal techniques, sandstone this procedure, several years of restoration, and modern coating systems weathering could be simulated in a few was run by NBS over the next two years. weeks. Additional scientific tests One thousand square feet {92 sq. meters) conducted by the NBS included water White House, east elevation test area. of White House exterior was set aside absorption measurements, water vapor for a long-term (1 1/2-year) field test permeation measurements, exposure to of four paint removal techniques and ultraviolet radiation, and exposure four coating systems — the finalists to water condensation. from many tested in the laboratory. A grid system was laid out on the test By the end of 1979, NBS scientists were A contract to perform the restoration area to allow each coating to be ap­ ready to make some firm recommendations work was awarded to RUDCO, a building plied over each cleaning method. to the Chief Usher and the NPS: 1) that cleaning firm in Hartford, Connecticut. all paint on the east elevation be re­ The final specifications called for: Paint removal methods used in the field moved down to bare stone, using the 1) complete removal of all paint from test included: 1) combination hand chemical/ water spray method — the the east elevation of the White House; cleaning, chemical treatment, and project was phased starting with the removal of only loose paint and other water spray; 2) chemical treatment/ east elevation to create the least loose foreign material from the north, water spray; 3) abrasive blasting with visual impact and the least disruption west, and south elevations; 2) repair, aluminum beads; and 4) hand scraping of tours, ceremonies and other offi­ repointing, and, if needed, replace­ and chipping. The chemical/water cial business; 2) that the sandstone ment of deteriorated masonry; and 3) spray method was by far the most suc­ be repainted with a linseed oil, tung repainting with a prime coat and finish cessful. Coating materials applied oil, soya alkyd paint, using 2 coats coat on exposed masonry surfaces, and after the test cleanings were as fol­ over bare stone, and one coat over with only a finish coat on previously lows: 1) latex (acrylic); 2) styrene- previously painted surfaces; 3) that painted surfaces. Based on test re­ butadiene (rubber-based); 3) vinyl the results be closely monitored to sults, the paint selected for use was toluene-acrylate (textured coating); evaluate the effectiveness of the re­ a linseed oil, tung oil, soya alkyd and 4) tung oil-alkyd. storation procedures and to refine the coating. specifications for subsequent restora­ The test area was then monitored 14 tion of the remainder of the historic Work actually began on the White House months, using sophisticated instru­ structure. in August, 1980. Extensive precautions

4 in the first floor entry hall where fore, documentation during restoration they were covered with wallpaper. Re­ is required. Precautions will be taken (Left) 1865 photograph of bedroom where Lincoln vealing the full detail of these when hanging new and conserved wall­ died. Petersen House, Ford's Theatre NHS. paintings was the objective of papers to minimize damage to the free­ Ms. Coffin's study. This was accom­ hand paintings. 1980 photograph showing restoration of bedroom plished by "rubbing" with paper and in Petersen House. charcoal the raised relief of the Grained Woodwork paintings to get their approximate out­ lines. The full details and colors of Graining is a method of painting a sur­ the paintings were then uncovered by face, usually an inexpensive softwood, sanding away the layers of more recent to imitate more fashionable, costly paint. Sanding was done by hand with woods, such as cedar, mahogany, or oak. a very fine weight of sand paper. A grained surface consists of several layers of undercoat and several layers Restoration of these wall paintings, of glaze in which the graining pattern with the exception of limited areas is created. in the main entrance hall, would have involved nearly complete repainting. When restoration work began at Long­ However, Lindenwald is being restored fellow House in Cambridge, Massachu­ to the Van Buren residency, when, as setts in 1975, grained finishes in the correspondence clearly indicates, the kitchen, laundry room, pantry, and walls in all the rooms containing free­ first floor back hall were identified hand wall paintings were covered with for restoration. These rooms are sec­ wallpaper. Once interior restoration ondary spaces in the Georgian mansion, is complete in 1982, these wall home of the poet Henry Wadsworth Long- paintings will be covered again; there­ See INTERIORS, page 6.

ensure a neutral pH. Work was suspen­ ded during the winter to allow caulking and mortar repairs extra time to cure, and to allow the all-important primer coat of paint to be applied under ideal weather conditions this spring.

The National Park Service, using a grant from the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, also arranged for photogrammetical documentation of the east elevation of the White House. This work is being done while the stone is exposed and will provide scale drawings in three dimensions of the window ornamentation and other fine architectural details. These drawings will form a permanent record of the existing conditions.

What is the next step? As of this writing, plans are being made for the completion of the east elevation painting in May, 1981. The National Bureau of Standards has agreed to continue monitoring the results of this restoration work and to update the specifications, if needed. The NPS and the Chief Usher are pro­ gramming funds in the budget cycle to Test area B (see diagram to the left) after paint removal. complete the restoration of the north, west, and south elevations in the future. And the NPS is considering development of a preservation maintenance manual were taken to protect the structure The paint removal process proved to for use at the White House by managers, and surrounding landscape. All liquid be difficult, because of the multi- architects, engineers, technicians and effluent from the chemical/water spray layered build-up of different types craftsmen. The White House Liaison Of­ removal process was collected by wet of coatings. The original base coat fice of the NPS would be pleased to vacuum and pumped into 55-gallon {209 was the toughest to remove. RUDCO answer any inquiries on this project liter) drums for transport from the found it necessary to alter the chem­ and to provide copies of the NBS Report site. Windows were protected from ac­ ical formulations of the removers at and Guide Specifications. Please write cidental damage by fitting solid covers least three times as they worked their to: Executive Assistant, White House over them during paint removal opera­ way through the 28 layers of paint. Liaison, NPS, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, tions. And plastic hand scrapers re­ Once the paint was removed, the entire Washington, DC 20242. placed the normal wire brush tools elevation was rinsed with a mild so­ CRM to reduce the potential for gouging lution of acetic acid to balance the James I. McDaniel is the White House the soft sandstone. alkalinity of the paint removers and Liaison, National Park Service.

5 Historic Preservation Training for NPS Personnel ... INTERIORS, from page 5. James S. Askins

fellow. Over the years, the graining The concepts for what eventually turned journeyman in one of the construction had been damaged by water, abrasion, out to be the Williamsport Preserva­ trades. A degree in one of the profes­ and over-graining. Detailed exami­ tion Training Program can probably be sions, such as architecture, engi­ nation of the grained surfaces indi­ traced to many sources. Most directly, neering, or landscape architecture cated that restoration would require a meeting conducted in Santa Fe, New could compensate for on-the-job exper­ regraining, overgraining, and in- Mexico (Pall 1976) congealed National ience. graining. Park Service thoughts on the issue of preservation training for NPS person­ Location Areas that were overgrained received nel. NPS leaders attending this meeting only a light coat of glaze. Areas that pinpointed the Service's most pressing A home for the training center was were regrained received an undercoat need as a more fully trained work force selected in Williamsport, Maryland. of low-luster enamel paint, tinted to better able to care for the historic The reasons for locating the center match the later glaze layers. Two or structures under its jurisdiction. at Williamsport were manyfold. First three layers of undercoating were ap­ of all, Williamsport was near the half­ plied. Next, two to three layers of History way mark for the 184.5-mile C&O Canal glaze were applied in which original National Historic Park. A team of pro­ knots and grain patterns were copied The outcome of this recommendation was fessionals known as the C&O Canal Res­ from drawings made from the original a visit by Denver Service Center As­ toration Team (Denver Service Center) graining. Grain patterns were made sociate Manager Don Bressler (Spring had been performing a variety of his­ with whisk brooms, cheese cloth, combs 1977) to Williamsport, Maryland toric preservation duties on-site since and rubber graining stamps. After the along the C&O Canal. He developed a the fall of 1973. Their operation of­ glaze was grained on, several addi­ position paper, outlining recommen­ fered a special training opportunity tional coats of glaze were applied. dations for training professionals for the Williamsport Center. The team Ingrained areas were filled by the and craftsmen in the field of historic initiated between 12 and 17 diverse same steps followed in regraining. preservation. projects each year. This offered in­ Artist's brushes rather than paint take trainees on-the-job experiences brushes were used for paint appli­ The position paper identified the not available elsewhere in the NPS. cation. training goals, numbers and types of Secondly, it appeared the C&O Canal positions involved, qualifications for team would remain on assignment at Graining is not a lost craft, but one applicants, estimated training costs, the Park for some time. And, finally, that only a few painters practice. and training site location. This paper available at Williamsport were two Faced with this fact, NPS decided to has since provided the general direc­ large unoccupied historic structures train a grainer to do the work at the tion for the development and operation acquired by the Park as part of its Longfellow House. This solution, to of the training center. land acquisition program. The Park train a craftsman, is one that is nec­ made these available to the training essary as the demand for high quality If used to direct a training program, program in order to house its oper­ restoration work increases. Under the the goals identified in Don Bressler's ations. direction of Gene Goldsmith, Preser­ paper appeared to be practical aims vation Specialist for the North Atlan­ for a historic preservationist working Participants and Training Projects tic Historic Preservation Center, a on NPS properties. These goals assured member of the restoration crew, Mark compliance with the laws, regulations, In November, 1977, the first intake Hirschfeld, was trained to restore the and policies dictating the work per­ trainee, John Marsh (Architect) entered grained woodwork. formance level for preservation pro­ the program, followed by three crafts­ jects. They fell into seven broad ca­ men in early 1978. These were Robert Two other good examples of unrestored tegories: 1) legislative compliance, Hartman (brick mason), Charles "Jerry" grained woodwork are found at the Cap­ 2) architectural investigation and Shaffer (stone mason), and Mike Lee tain Edward Penniman House in the Cape recording of historic structures, (carpenter). In January, 1979, the Cod National Seashore and at Ferry Hill 3) a good working knowledge of period fifth intake trainee, Francis Lucas in the C&O Canal National Historic Park. architectural design and craftsman­ (carpenter) from Independence National ship, 4) design limits and use of tra­ Historical Park, joined the program. Wallpaper ditional and modern building materials, The first four interns have since 5) research, advanced planning, compre­ completed their training assignments During the 19th century, the most pop­ hensive design and project planning, and have been reassigned. ular finishing for plaster walls was 6) construction project supervision wallpaper. As a consequence, the pre­ and contract administration, and With an initial enrollment of four servation of NPS buildings frequently 7) government procurement and person­ students, the program board involved involves the documentation, conser­ nel regulations. The decision was made themselves in the task of preparing vation, and restoration of historic to structure training in these cate­ an Individual Development Plan for wallpapers. gories around the individual needs of each intake trainee. Each student's each intake trainee. The skills, know­ IDP outlined an individualized three- At the Grant-Kohrs Ranch in Deer Lodge, ledge, ability, and previous training year training program based on that Montana, RoddWheaton, Regional Histor­ each person brought into the program student's skills background. Since ical Architect for the Rocky Mountain determined the exact organization of each trainee came with a variety of Region, has been researching the wall­ that trainee's individual instruction. skills, knowledge, and educational papers in the dining room and the backgrounds, the task of integrating Beilenberg bedroom for restoration. The program established applicant en­ these factors and fitting the curri­ The ranch house is being restored to trance levels for building trades me­ culum to the student became a de­ its turn-of-the-century appearance, chanics who had completed a recognized tailed, involved process. Since the when it was the home of John Kohrs, four-year apprenticeship program, with training program was sponsored by the a baron of the open range cattle in­ a minimal two years' experience as a See TRAINING, page 10. dustry, and his wife, Augusta.

6 Records indicate that most of the fur­ At the Petersen House in Washington, DC, the wallpaper style is very much in nishings for the house were purchased the house where Lincoln died, a similar keeping. The flock paper is red with in Chicago. It seems probable that the wallpaper reproduction problem has a gray background, in a rich Rococo wallpaper was acquired there as well. been resolved by Gary Scott, Archi­ design. The ceiling is an elaborate, The original portion of the house, a tectural Historian for the National machine printed paper. Its center is two-story log structure built in 1866 Capital Region. Petersen House, a filled with a small gold geometric houses the Beilenberg bedroom. This simple brick rowhouse built in 1849 pattern; its border is comprised of room was decorated in 1890. In the and used as a boarding house, was the large bright blue and red flowers, Beilenberg bedroom, the early wallpaper site where Abraham Lincoln was taken outlined with a black border. The has been found under later layers of after being shot at Ford's Theater. ceiling paper is pictured in Catherine wallpaper. It consists of a ceiling, Lincoln died in a small back bedroom, Lynn's new book Wallpaper in America. cornice and above-the-dado wallpaper, and it was for this room that a wall­ It is an outstanding ceiling paper all is shades of green. The media of paper was reproduced. and one of the few remaining in situ the early wallpapers is water soluble, in the country. That it still hangs as is the paste of the later wallpapers, As with the dining room at Grant-Kohrs, with the wallpaper with which it was making uncovering it infeasible. There­ no physical evidence of the wallpaper originally hung make the pair an out­ fore, the papers will be reproduced. remained. The only documentation for standing treasure in the NPS decora­ tive arts collection.

Unfortunately, the Captain Edward Pen- niman House is currently unoccupied. Some heat is maintained in the buil­ ding, but the wallpaper and ceiling paper have experienced cleavage and tearing. Preventive maintenance and limited conservation are needed im­ mediately. It is hoped that this care will be forthcoming this summer.

(Left) Ceiling paper and flock wallpaper in parlor, Penniman House, Cape Cod NS,-and (below) plaster wall painting, mission church, Tumacacori NM.

In the dining room, which is located the wallpaper consisted of two news­ Another nearly complete and signifi­ in a large brick wing of the house, paper wood engravings, a newspaper cant wallpaper in the NPS collection all physical evidence of the resto­ artist's rough sketch, and a photo­ is the Zuber scenic wallpaper, Paysage ration wallpaper has been destroyed. graph. The newspaper wood engravings a Chasse, that hung in the main hall The only documentation for the wall appeared in Harper's Weekly, May 6, at Lindenwald. Martin Van Buren had finishes is a photograph of the room 1865 and in Frank Leslie's Illus­ this wallpaper hung in 1843. This pa­ taken about 1900. In the photograph, trated News, April 29, 1865. The sketch per has been removed from the walls the finishes have been identified as is by Alfred Waud, in the Library of and is currently being conserved by follows: ceiling, white paper or paint; Congress collection. The photo was James and Patricia Dacus Hamm. The cornice, cardboard cove with a gilded taken by Julius Ulke on April 15, 1865 conservation treatment for this wall­ freize paper; walls above dado, arse­ after Lincoln's body was removed from paper is extremely thorough and com­ nic green, embossed ingrain paper or Petersen House. The photo disappeared plex. It was described at the Wallpa­ an oatmeal paper. The dado consists for one hundred years. Then in 1965, per Conservation Symposium at Andover, of golden oak panels. it was printed in American Heritage. Massachusetts in April 1980 and will Reproduction of the paper was based on be published this fall in the Pro­ Restoration of the cornice will be this collection of documentary sources. ceedings of the Symposium. Therefore, based on its design as revealed in no attempt has been made to summarize the photograph. Restoration of the In some instances/ complete rooms of the treatment. wallpaper above the dado presents a historic wallpaper remain intact. The more difficult problem, since its sur­ conservation of complete rooms of his­ This cursory tour of a selected sample face characteristics are obscure. The toric wallpaper poses complex techni­ of NPS buildings has only begun to type of paper was narrowed to an oat­ cal questions, the most fundamental scratch the surface of all the decor­ meal paper or an ingrain paper. Oatmeal of which is whether the wallpaper ative surface finishes in our holdings. papers are impossible to obtain. The should be treated in situ or should Additional tours, to look at machine- color of oatmeal paper is produced by be removed from the walls for treat­ made finishes and other handmade fin­ dying the individual paper fibers, ment. ishes would reveal equally interesting rather than by a printing process. examples of decorative arts and their Ingrain wallpaper is also difficult At the Captain Edward Penniman House related conservation problems and res­ to obtain. Therefore, the restoration in Eastham, Massachusetts, an out­ toration solutions. proposal for this room calls for the standing French flocked wallpaper and CRM scenic c. 1940 wallpaper presently on a ceiling paper awaited conservation. the walls to be painted an arsenic Built in 1867 by Edward Penniman, a Andrea M. Gilmore is an Architectural green color, so as to produce a simi­ New England whaling Captain, it is a Conservator with the North Atlantic lar wall finish. French Second Empire house, with which Historic Preservation Center.

7 ... STRUCTURES, from page 2.

Federal style is characterized by a light, delicate scale applied to over­ all proportions as well as to details. Decorative elements in geometric pat­ terns, such as urns, swags, garlands, and festoons, were created in plaster and wood for ceilings and architectural trim. The basic architectural features 1. 3. include a square or rectangular house 2. form with highly articulated door and window trim to accent an otherwise unadorned shallow relief facade. In­ terior spaces and house plans were set free by the use of curves, circles, elipses and octagons. The Custom House at Salem Maritime National Historic Site is a good example of this Federal style.

Beginning about 1820 and lasting until the Civil War, the Greek Revival style flourished in the United States. This style was introduced from England by the first true architect in America, Benjamin H. Latrobe. Latrobe's pupils and other builders, relying on hand­ books, soon adopted the style. Its popularity was due to the identifica­ tion with early Greek ideals of democ­ racy and with Greece's war for inde­ pendence. Based on Greek orders, Greek decoration and classical monu­ ments of Greece, the style was used widely for civic, religious, and domestic buildings. The symmetrical forms of this style more often than not are identified by columns, pilas­ these styles was the Italianate, whose styles of the past in an eclectic ters, and porticoes. This classical inspiration had been northern Italian composition. Most of these styles temple form with its low-pitched gable, vernacular farm houses. The Italianate were used for many functions, but some or flat roof employed very bold, simple is characterized by a rectangular form; were more widely used for domestic moldings and cornices without much a low, hipped roof with wide, overhang­ purposes: the Stick Style, a tall, decoration. Columns, frequently the ing eaves supported by decorative vertically proportioned frame style baseless Greek Doric order, supported brackets; an entrance tower; entrance with exterior diagonal boards express­ bold, full entablatures with unadorned porches; cupolas; corner quoins; flat, ing an internal structural system; friezes. Rectangular transoms were arched or pedimented hood molds over the Queen Anne Style*, a combination also a feature. Examples range from windows; bay windows; balustraded of colors, textures and materials designed works such as the Second balconies; and front or side loggias. used with a variety of forms such as Bank of the United States, 1819-1824, The Martin Van Buren House in New pediments, turrets, gables, chimneys, in Philadelphia; Federal Hall, 1842, York and the John Muir House in Cali­ and other classical details; the East- New York City; Arlington House, 1802- fornia, (both late 19th century) are lake Style, a version of the Stick and 17, Washington, D.C; Chalmette, 1815, good domestic examples, while Ford's Queen Anne, but with a rich prolifera­ near New Orleans; and the Old Cathe­ Theatre (1863) in Washington, D.C. tion of posts, spindles, brackets, dral, 1834, in St. Louis; to vernacu­ is less a characteristic urban example. lattice, pediments, etc., usually lar houses such as the Andrew Johnson Mass produced, cast iron elements also lathe-turned; and the Shingle Style, House, 1850, Tennessee. made the Italianate a widely used style a shingle-clad adaptation of seven­ for commercial buildings throughout teenth-century New England houses. Concurrent with the Greek Revival the country. Style before the Civil War were a Other styles were used with equal number of historical styles that The second-half of the nineteenth regularity for houses and civic or gained popularity through romantic century was a period in which many commerical buildings, such as the associations. These included the new styles sprang up and existed side Second Empire Style, named after Gothic Revival, the Italianate, the by side. Archeological correctness Napoleon Ill's reign and character­ Italian Villa, the Egyptian Revival, in the use of historical styles was ized by a steeply pitched, mansard the Moorish Revival, the Renaissance generally passe. The new guiding prin­ roof. Still other styles were identi­ Revival, the Romanesque Revival, and ciples were picturesqueness, variety, fied more with civic and non-domestic the Octagon style. Many of these and adaptation. American architects functions, as with High Victorian styles were closely associated with had come to a realization that no one Gothic, with its polychromatic, freely contemporary artistic and literary style was appropriate for a country currents and were advocated through that was inheriting all the cultures *Two examples of this style now owned by the Park architectural handbooks, some not of the world; therefore, architects Service are President Theodore Roosevelt's home. without social statments and implica­ Sagamore Hill (built in Oyster Bay, New York in felt justified in creatively adapting 1884-85); and Thomas Edison's West Orange, New tions. One of the most pervasive of historical styles or mixing different Jersey Mansion, Glenmont (built in 1880).

S American colonial houses and Spanish colonial mission styles to English Tudor houses or French sixteenth- century chateaus. Scotty's Castle (1922-29) in Death Valley, for example, was designed in a Spanish/Moorish style.

The story of American architecture after World War I is largely that of modern movements: the Prairie Style, the Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Deco, Art Moderne, the International Style, and the more recent modern manifestations which have occurred since World War II.

The development of stylistic trends has always dominated the historiog­ raphy of American architecture. Architecture of utility, whether for domestic, commercial, industrial, or for whatever function, has always existed along with the aesthetic forms. In some cases, this type of architec­ ture was a less refined imitation of a high style. Typical examples of vernacular buildings were usually those that occupied the tenuous edge 1. Great Hall, Grand Portage NM. of civilized life, and as the frontier crept westward, settlers carried in 2. Scotty's Castle, Death Valley NM. their cultural baggage certain house 3. Muir House, ]ohn Muir NHS. forms from their past. Necessity and expediency saw that the earliest 4. National Visitor Center structures were generally crudely (Union Station), Washington, D.C. constructed one room log cabins. 5. Paul Revere House, Boston NHP. And as the frontier pushed onward, those who remained behind either added to the original building or constructed slightly more advanced structures as adapted Gothic forms; and the Richard- well-prepared to design in this inter­ technology and prosperity permitted. sonian Romanesque, a strong, bold, preted Greek/Roman/Renaissance style. In addition, early industrial build­ heavy version of the Romanesque The term American Renaissance not ings tend to fall into the vernacular personalized by Henry H. Richardson. only refers to Italian Renaissance class by reason of their utilitarian but also to the new spirit in America function. The diversity in these The twentieth century began with two and to the collaboration of American structures is not less than that of somewhat dichotomous architectural painters, sculptors, and decorative house forms, with examples ranging currents, both of which had flowered artists with architects. Beaux-Arts from small water-powered grist mills in Chicago in the 1880's and '90's. classicism, with its monumental scale in the Great Smoky Mountains to the Strangely enough, Daniel H. Burnham, (not always), richly articulated larger water-powered textile mills is closely associated with the ad­ symmetrical facades, axial and proces­ at Lowell, Massachusetts. Still vancement of both currents. Burnham sional circulation and figurative more types of utilitarian architec­ and his partner, John W. Root, were sculpture, became largely a civic ture, more easily identified than among the innovative architects in style due to its association with the categorized, are lighthouses, canals, Chicago who developed what can be City Beautiful Movement. An excellent bridges, and the like. called America's first indigenous example this influence is Union architecture, the tall office building Station, 1903-08, in Washington, D.C In addition to the above-mentioned or skyscraper. Burnham and other by Daniel Burnham. The Vanderbilt examples of vernacular architecture, architectural firms comprising the Mansion, 1896-98, near Hyde Park, New are two distinct building types with­ "Chicago School" had taken advantage York, by architects McKim, Mead, and out which a survey of National Park of such technological advances as the White, is an example of domestic Service architecture would be incom­ structural steel frame and the elevator American Renaissance. As the new cen­ plete: fortifications and monuments. in order to develop this commercial tury advanced, the robust forms of The history of these building forms style. The skyscraper continued to early Beaux-Arts classicism evolved together with the developments in be developed, but after 1893, Burnham into more refined strains of Neo-Clas- other expressions of vernacular was advocating a new style. It was sicism, such as some of the free, architecture will be discussed by in that year that the World's Columbian public bath houses at Hot Springs, the author in the next issue of this Exposition in Chicago became the cat­ Arkansas. publication. alyst for a growing number of social CRM and cultural forces, resulting in the The early twentieth century was also The author holds a graduate degree era of the American Renaissance. The a period of revived historical styles, in architectural history from the Uni­ Exposition was a demonstration of the many of them designed by architects versity of Virginia, and does consul­ exuberant spirit of American capitalism trained in the Beaux-Arts tradition, tant work on both public and private identified by Beaux-Arts classicism. and most of them in a more studied preservation projects. He previously American architects trained at the style than any earlier revivals. served on the Historic Architecture Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris were These "Period Houses" ranged from Division (WASO) staff.

9 ...TRAINING, from page 6. frame, or log construction), on lift project directors tended to view the locks, on culverts, on earth embank­ personnel in the program as a cadre of ments, and on towpath restoration. Pro­ talent to be used rather than trained. NPS, with positions being targeted for ject supervision, contract adminis­ But the development of well-trained parks, regional offices, and the Den­ tration, and hands-on experience were personnel, rather than simply the com­ ver Service Center, the scope of NPS all part of the interns' active pletion of various construction pro­ preservation needs had to be figured training in preservation problems. jects was the main goal of the program. into the planning. Training Center personnel also have Curriculum Committee Armed with the building blocks of this been assigned a wide variety of pro­ new concept in training — available jects away from the C&O Canal, pro­ During the fall of 1979, a diverse positions, preservation projects, jects such as the following: James­ cross section of people with various housing, and training goals — the town ruins stabilization; the Car­ interests in historic preservation program was launched. Simultaneously, riage House at Colonial National His­ met in Denver to review and discuss the mission of the program became toric Park; structures at the Maggie the future of the intake training increasingly clear — to produce as Walker National Historic Site; preser­ program. Identified at this meeting many well-trained preservationists vation of the gun boat Cairo at Vicks- was the need for a curriculum commit­ as possible in the shortest possible burg; restoration of the Martin Van tee to provide an overview of the pro­ time. Buren home, New York; Caretakers House gram. This suggestion was considered and Carriage House, Hampton National and later implemented. During the early years, training Historic Site; Old Faithful Inn, Yel­ activities centered around the Land lowstone; Officers Row, Fort Hancock, On a permanent basis, the Curriculum Heritage preservation project at the NJ; Historic Structures Report on Pi­ Committee comprises two permanent C&O Canal. Project "77" was a multi- per Barn, Antietam National Battle­ members — the Chief Historic Archi­ site, negotiated, fixed-fee construc­ field Site; and research and project tect from WASO who is the Chairman tion contract with thirteen locations planning for the Army at Fort Monroe, of the Committee, and the Architect along the length of the canal. It in- VA. in Charge from the Williamsport Pre­ volved various levels of preservation servation Training Program. On a one- treatment in which the type of treat­ At times during the early stages, year rotating basis, other positions ment was dictated by the problem. Pre­ keeping the intake trainees from be­ are held by two Regional Historic Arch­ servation activities centered around coming solely a skilled labor force itects, a Division Chief from Historic work on the various lock tenders' had its ups and downs. Because of the Preservation at DSC, and one Chief of houses (some of these stone, brick, highly refined skills represented. Maintenance from a field area, plus

Standardizing Historic Structure Preservation Guides J. Keith Everett

A Historic Structure Preservation ficult to find examples of a preser­ consuming and costly. They took over Guide (HSPG) is an action plan pro­ vation guide which has failed simply a year to produce and cost upwards of viding the information and direction because it was arranged and assembled fifteen thousand dollars, though they necessary for park maintenance person­ in a manner not readily understood. accomplished their purpose in being nel to carry out housekeeping, and rou­ structure/site-specific in terms of tine and cyclic maintenance in an In an effort to simplify and consoli­ preservation maintenance. Since each orderly and timely manner. Ideally, date the various directions Historic guide has been in existence only a each NPS historic structure that has Structure Preservation Guides have relatively short time, it is too early reached its intended level of treat­ taken in the past few years, a new to determine their ultimate success ment should have a preservation guide format has been adopted and included or failure. That both contain valuable prepared. Such a document ensures that in the Cultural Resource Management information is unquestioned, but they the historic significance and integ­ Guideline (NPS-28). Basically, the new have aroused debate over the intent rity of that structure is consistently format is modeled along the lines of and scope of a preservation guide, and maintained. construction specifications and in­ challenged the notion of a standard­ cludes three major components: Inspec­ ized guide applicable to all types While few would disagree with making tion Instructions, Preservation In­ of historic structures. such a document available to mainte­ structions, and Materials Specifi­ nance personnel, there are widespread cations. The rationale for adopting Comments received thus far regarding opinions as to the type and amount of this particular format is its compu­ the Herbert Hoover and Lyndon Johnson information a preservation guide ter-compatibility, with the intent HSPG's have ranged anywhere from "far should provide, as well as to the for­ that someday the various technical too specific" to "not specific enough. " mat in which it should be presented. sections may be selectively assembled Some felt the format confusing and re­ In the past ten years, there have been in a short time frame as applicable dundant while others found it logical a variety of preservation guides pro­ to the building materials and compo­ and easy to use. There have been duced, and generally speaking, they nents of a given structure. varying degrees of opinion as to what have been less than successful. In preservation guides should do, with retrospect, many of their basic pro­ At present, there are two preservation some individuals taking the position blems can be traced to the absence guides modeled after the format spec­ that a preservation guide is strictly of sufficient technical information ified in NPS-28, namely the guides a maintenance manual and should con­ coupled with the inclusion of infor­ for historic structures at Herbert fine itself to technical matters; mation which, though interesting, is Hoover National Historic Site and the others view the preservation guide in not essential to preservation mainte­ boyhood home and associated structures a larger role as not merely a technical nance. The format of a preservation at Lyndon Baines Johnson National His­ manual, but a budget and personnel guide is critical, and it is not dif­ torical Park. Both guides were time- programming tool as well.

10 an alternate. The current Curriculum tices. Nevertheless, rising expenses But with all the success to date, and Committee members are as follows: Hugh have threatened this aspect of the with a commitment from the Manager of Miller (WASO), Jim Askins (Williams- program. In addition, the center em­ the DSC to support the program, the port Program, DSC-TNC), John Garner ploys only two staff members who training of preservation specialists (Southeast Regional Office), Laurin travel from project site to project has not become institutionalized. There Huffman (Pacific Northwest Regional site. Thus, instructor and trainee are problems of securing positions — Office), Harold LaFleur (North At­ are separated for periods of time the program could train eight people lantic/Mid-Atlantic Team, DSC), Jim during the training process. at a time. There are difficulties in Bentley (Blue Ridge Parkway), and al­ finding training projects to provide ternate, Mike Strickland (Golden Gate With support and assistance from field the requisite experience. There is even National Recreation Area). areas, the current situation could be difficulty in finding permanent loca­ remedied. Funding need not always tions for these highly skilled preser- The Curriculum Committee meets bi-an- be siphoned from the line item con­ veration specialists. But in spite of nually to evaluate the training pro­ struction program budget, but could such hold-backs, the opportunity still gram and review the development of come from any source. Indeed, projects exists for NPS employees to enroll in each trainee. It also makes recom­ often considered routine maintenance a program which can increase their mendations to the Manager, DSC, on frequently provide the best training preservation knowledge as well as their the basis of the discipline mix and experiences. hands-on experience. The Williamsport size of the program. The Committee program is one of the finest of its identifies and secures preservation The feedback from the field and from kind, and with greater enrollment, projects for the training center, and discussions with training program could very significantly affect the targets future positions for trainees clients has been positive. The products direction of the Service's historic who will be completing their training actually produced by this program, i.e. preservation program. assignments. trained preservationists, have been successfully filling the holes in our CRM The Future historic preservation program. They have functioned according to the cri­ James S. Askins heads the Williamsport Preservation construction projects teria established by the training pro­ Training Program. represent the most important part of gram and have served the park system the trainees' experiences. Without the in numerous capacities. Various parks experience gained from direct project can point to the structures these stu­ involvement, the program could demon­ dents helped to preserve as evidence strate less success among its appren­ of their preservation apprenticeship.

Up to now, the primary emphasis in the ceive preservation guides. lowing: routine and cyclic maintenance development of HSPG's has been on stan­ items should be described in sufficient dardizing these documents: finding a Not all structures with the same man­ detail to facilitate the work. format logical in arrangement, adapt­ agement category designation have equal able to change as procedures or pro­ status, which brings up the second The fourth consideration is the desired ducts improve, and computer-compatible consideration influencing the scope of degree of Regional involvement (i.e. for eventual selective mass produc­ a preservation guide: the use of a the number of referrals to the Regional tion. The construction specifications structure. The amount of latitude given Historical Architect for consultation format as called for in NPS-28 basi­ maintenance personnel in dealing with regarding maintenance problems). This cally meets these criteria, and while their resources will probably be af­ factor is going to be determined by not perfect, is at least a major step fected by the way those resources are the three previous considerations, in facilitating inter-Regional ex­ managed and used. For example, Old particularly the park's maintenance change of technical information and Faithful Inn, a structure designed and staff. These individuals are entrusted eventual standardizing of HSPG's. still used as a hotel, will be ap­ with the care of the resources, and a proached differently than Longfellow preservation guide should be tailored That such a range of philosophies House, now managed as a house museum. to help them in every way practical exists regarding the scope of a pre­ Both structures are Category A on the and possible. servation guide does not necessarily LCS, yet more rigid and detailed main­ undermine the validity of a standar­ tenance procedures may be exercised Standardizing HSPG's in the National dized approach to HSPGs, but it does at the Longfellow House, whose impor­ Park Service is necessary if these suggest that there are variables which tance is tied to a particular time guides are to be produced in sufficient must be considered under any preser­ period and whose structural integrity sary quantities. The format adopted vation guide format. Ultimately, there will allow little deviation. Historic by NPS-28 is a significant first step are four basic considerations which Structure Preservation Guides for a- which should not be lightly dismissed will determine the intent and scope daptive use, continued use, period or ignored. There is now a basic frame of a preservation guide. display, and other types of historic work for organizing and presenting structures are going to vary in detail technical information which will speed The first consideration is the signi­ and latitude regarding prescribed inter-Regional exchange of information, ficance of the resource. Historic maintenance measures. and have enough flexibility to accom­ structures with Category la signifi­ modate variations in intent and scope cance, as defined in Management Pol­ The capabilities of a parks mainten­ as previously discussed. Refinement icies, may require more detailed main­ ance staff is a third consideration. of this or any other format will come tenance instructions than lesser-rated Depending upon the size of the staff, only from experience through continued structures. The List of Classified the personnel positions programmed, use. Structures (LCS) management categories and the abilities of those indivi­ are also a useful tool in determining duals, a preservation guide may ad­ Producing Historic Structure Preser­ the level of detail. Certainly these dress only minor repair items or may vation Guides in large numbers is management categories are useful in go so far as to detail major work i- going to require more than a standard­ determining the priority order in tems. A guideline to follow in reaching ized format, however. At this point, which historic structures should re­ an effective compromise may be the fol­ See GUIDES, page 13.

II Building for the National Parks in the Rocky Mountain West; 1872-1966 Rodd L. Wheaton

Yellowstone's natural wonders caught the imagination of Congress in such a big way that on March 1, 1872, Presi­ dent Grant signed a park bill into law which "dedicated and set apart Yellowstone as a public park or plea­ suring ground for the benefit and en­ joyment of the people." This document created the world's first national park. Except for poachers, the new park remained nearly inaccessible un­ til 1877 when Superintendent Philetus W. Norris became the recipient of a regular salary and operational fun­ ding. A rudimentary road system was developed, and at Mammoth Hot Springs, park headquarters was built — a log "blockhouse" of square notched log construction. The U.S. Army assumed control of the park in 1886, and in Old Faithful Inn (1923), Yellowstone NP. 1891 began Fort Yellowstone.

In 1916, the fort became Mammoth Head­ was reported in 1908: "Frank Lloyd quarters for the new Park Service. It Wright, the famous architect of Chi­ accommodated the park administration cago, drew the plans and has produced while providing, most importantly, a building which seems a part of the interpretation of the park. This ser­ beautiful landscape rather than a mar vice had originated early on with upon it, as is so often the case with park concession operators, and had summer hotels.") been extended from the lobbies of con­ Quarry Visitor Center, Dinosaur NM. cession-built hotels. Elsewhere, a concessions-built struc­ ture like Glacier's more intimate Lake The Yellowstone Park Association, an McDonald Lodge, built in 1913, and construction in 1908 of the Norris affiliate of the Northern Pacific Rail­ the circa 1925 Bryce Canyon Lodge and Soldier Station. Although detailed way, provided an exclusive five-day cabins designed by Gilbert Underwood with such architectural conventions grand tour of the park by stagecoach. of Los Angeles for the Union Pacific as shed-roofed dormers and multipaned Guests were transported through the Railroad, provided the visitor with bay windows, the station became a pro­ park to hotels conveniently spaced a a basic preconceived, if not contri­ totype ranger station design, incor­ day's journey apart. The most notable ved, park experience. The hotels were porating even buttressed log crowning. hotel was the Old Faithful Inn, still wilderness stage sets, adorned liter­ Notched log construction, in a variety the grande dame of the National Park ally with the trappings of the fron­ of detailing and fabrication, was a- Service concessions. Unlike the incon­ tier. They were completed however with dapted too, not only for small park gruous presence in the park of other telephones, modern plumbing, steam heat, ranger stations but also for employee hotels including the colonial revival and luxury services from barbering to housing and interpretative facilities. Lake Hotel, Old Faithful Inn, dating gourmet dining. from 1903, took inspiration from its Meeting the demands of park mainten­ surroundings. The basically symmetri­ As exploited by the park concessioners, ance, the construction of utility cal design by resident architect this uniquely American architectural buildings paralleled the development Robert C. Reamer relies heavily on theme, whether inspired by the Swiss of other visitor services. Typically, horizontal banding asymmetrical gables, Alps or the romanticism of the fron­ the rustic theme was employed. Planned and crazy-quilt window sashes; the tier, became known as the "Rustic for equipment storage and warehousing, architecture focuses on the enormous Style." It used the elements of log the construction of exposed half-log lobby, opening through three levels construction, steeply pitched gabled frame and vertical board structures of log and timber-supported balconies roofs, and casement sashes. Hotels with log pole roof systems was favored. and orchestra galleries to the roof with log structural systems, and sap- Traditionally, the structures were trusses. pling and barreled balustrading exem­ painted dark brown, as a further con­ plify the full development of the cession to the natural park concept. The grand hotels of Glacier National style, enriched as they were with de­ The roofs, had doubled shingle Park are in contrast with Old Faithful corative shingling, carved wooden de­ courses, and the window sashes were Inn, and its inventiveness which draws tailing, and hickory furniture. painted green. from shingle, stick, and tudor styles contrasts to the grand hotels of By the 1920's, the fledging National Stone masonry construction early on Glacier National Park. Constructed for Park Service had assimulated the con­ contributed to the American love of the Great Northern Railway in 1915, cessioners' concept of rustic archi­ fireplaces characteristic of U.S. af­ Many Glacier Hotel, is Swiss style tecture. This move was based more fection for hearth and home culture frame construction around a four-story, likely on the availability of ma­ and for the pioneer spirit of log cabin pseudo-Ionic log columned nags lobby terials and the demands of a modest construction. At Old Faithful Inn, 500 space. (Similar formality was reflected budget than on questions of taste. tons of stone were used in the con­ in Rocky Mountain National Park's pro­ Such considerations had been made struction of a massive stone fireplace posed Horseshow Inn, about which it earlier by the U.S. Army with the and chimney stack which essentially

12 ...GUIDES, from page 11.

there is no central data base for col­ lecting, synthesizing, and dispensing preservation maintenance-related in­ formation. Preservation guides, in­ cluding those following the new for­ mat, are being produced in a very spo­ radic manner, either contracted out or produced at the Regional level with little, if any, knowledge of what other Regions have done or are doing. A cental data base could avoid the duplication of effort, the lengthy time periods, and the extremely high costs associated with the guides now being produced.

Also, there needs to be a concerted effort to familiarize maintenance per­ sonnel with the intent and scope of HSPG's as specified in NPS-28. Their familiarity with the basic components Visitor Center, Cedar Breaks NM. and types of information within a pre­ supports only a giant wrought copper In the 1950's, after a decade of min­ servation guide would allow park staffs clock. Similarly, even the simplest imal building activity, it became ap­ to begin to gather and assimilate per­ structure, such as the Museum at Cedar parent that much of the existing park tinent information for eventual in­ Breaks National Monument, was not com­ facilities were not well suited to clusion in such documents. It is es­ plete in plan and elevation until a meet the demands of a new generation sential to involve maintenance staffs stone masonry fireplace was installed. of Americans traveling to the national in the formulation of preservation parks. "Mission 66" was born. New di­ guides. Very often, these staffs are rections in interpretation -- audio­ composed of local people who know the The use of peeled log and stone con­ visual equipment — dictated larger resources better than anyone else. It struction developed rapidly during the visitor centers administered by larger seems somewhat illogical to produce major park building program begun in park staffs to accommodate larger a maintenance manual for maintenance 1933. This effort came under the Pub­ groups of people. Thus in 1956, the personnel without their direct involve­ lic Works Administration which con­ Park Service reached beyond the tra­ ment. Region-instigated standardization structed many Service structures. ditions that had been perpetuated by of HSPG's is necessary, but the ultimate The prevalence of this style which com­ the Western Office of Design and Con­ success or failure of these documents plemented the natural surroundings of struction, and collaborated with the rests with the individuals who use the park gave rise to the term "park- San Francisco architectural firm of them. Their support must be solicated itecture." Early structures, those Anshen and Allen for the design of the in the earliest stages of preservation considered to have been temporary and innovative Quarry Visitor Center at guide development. below design standards, were replaced, Dinosaur National Monument. The liaison while the style of others, such as produced a design termed "quite mo­ Standardizing HSPG's will ultimately Yellowstone's Norris Museum (1929), dernistic, if not septic" by career were emulated. involve three essential conditions: Park Service personnel. However, the a standardized format understood by interpretative aspect of the site, an As an alternative to rusticity, par­ all concerned, a central data base for exposed quarry of dinosaur bones, ticularly in the Southwest where in­ collecting, storing, and dispersing dictated a large open space sheltering digenous styles of native architecture information, and the involvement of the year-round paleotologists "relief ing existed, designs and detailing de­ maintenance personnel in preservation fossil bones." Defining the dual fuctions veloped around the theme of cultural guide development. The National Park of administration and interpretation, parks. Such was the case at Mesa Verde Service has seriously considered only the soaring V-roof, like the ramp ap­ National Park. When he realized that the first. Attention must now focus proaches and booked birch veneer in­ a 1917 log museum structure did not on addressing the two remaining con­ teriors, reflected the then current "carry out the atmosphere" of such an ditions for preservation guide stan­ architectural trends of the Interna­ important archeological site, Super­ dardizations. tional Style. A design precedent was intendent Jesse Nausbaum and his wife set. CRM began a construction program in 1921 which resulted in the completion of J. Keith Everett is a Historical Arch­ fourteen structures, again withWPA-CCC Initiated to update the facilities of itect with the Rocky Mountain Regional assistance, in the style termed "Mesa the system, the "Mission '66" program Historic Preservation Team. Verde Modified Pueblo." produced a folio of standardized de­ signs, employing standardized mater­ ials, such as those used at the Quarry Thus, the structures were completed Visitor Center, compiled by Park Ser­ with canted stone walls and with roof vice design offices. Asa consequence, has paid homage to the National Park parapets pierced by large peeled fir by 1966, individual park environmental Service's highly original contribution log vigas supporting flat roofs. Log considerations had been ignored and to public architecture. colonnades with bolster blocks a Service-wide blandness was produced. CRM screened entrance portals which shel­ Only the recent construction of the tered adzed, finished woodwork and Bear Lake Shelter, Rocky Mountain Rodd L. Wheaton is the Regional His­ furnishings derived from Spanish co­ National Park, and the Rainbow Point torical Architect for the Rocky lonial origins. Kiosk, Bryce Canyon National Park, Mountain Region.

! * Monitoring Structural Movements Todd E. Rutenbeck

Most historic structures and ruins have leaning sections. Another approach and below the zero line, but at the some structural defects. These include would be to measure crack width changes end of the year, the average change cracks, foundation settlement, tilting in the ten cracks for about one year would be close to zero. If, however, walls, deteriorating materials, and before preservation work is planned. an inadequate foundation is causing weakened structural members. Such de­ It may be that only one or two of the wall to continue to tilt, there fects are not always a threat to struc­ the cracks are currently widening and would be a progressive widening of the tural stability. For example, a preservation work can be limited cracks in addition to the seasonal building may have developed cracks due to these critical areas. The other variations, and the change in crack to settlement shortly after construc­ cracks may have been stable for many width would continue to increase with tion. If the settlement has stopped years and require no structural repair. time, never returning to zero. Such and the cracks are no longer widening, progressive structural movements can the building may be structurally sound It must be understood, however, that lead to collapse. even though it is cracked. all structures move. Temperature changes, wind, snow loading, vibra­ Visual estimates and memory are unre­ In some cases, the defects do threaten tion, and loading from people and ob­ liable in detecting structural move­ structural stability. Unstable struc­ jects, all cause structural movement. ments. Frequently, one person will tures fall into two general cate­ The dangerous movements, however, are think a crack has increased consider­ gories: 1) those whose geometry or progressive movements. When people en­ ably over the years, while another is material strength are so unstable that ter a building, the floor will deflect convinced there has been no change. small increases in loading from public under their weight. The amount that Instrumentation has two functions. It use, wind, vibration, or other sources the floor goes down may not be vis­ gives definite data on whether or not could cause instant collapse; 2) those ually detectable, but it could be mea­ a portion of a structure is moving, having defects that are slowly in­ sured with instrumentation. When the and it gives the rate of movement which creasing and will gradually lead to people leave, the instrumentation is an indication of how soon failure collapse or serious damage in the fu­ would indicate that the floor returned may occur. ture. Monitoring of structural move­ to approximately its original position. ments is of no benefit for defects Small structural movements of this type There is almost no limit to the com­ in the first category since collapse are normal. Progressive movements, plexity of monitoring equipment that would be instantaneous. Such problems however, are of concern. Suppose that could be used. It is best, however, can be detected by measuring current one wall of a rectangular building has to use the simplest equipment that structural geometry, testing material tilted outward from the building, will provide sufficient data for strength, and computing safety factors leaving a crack on each end where it making preservation decisions. Inmost for various loading conditions. Moni­ abuts the two adjacent walls. Instru­ cases, critical structural movements toring of structural movements is_ use­ mentation installed on the two cracks can be detected as either changes in ful in detecting defects in the second has provided data on change in crack crack width, wall tilt, settlement, category. For example, suppose a width for one year. Seasonal and daily or deflection. The factors in choosing building containing ten major struc­ changes in temperature and moisture an instrument for any type of movement tural cracks is to be preserved. One will cause the width of the cracks to include accuracy, cost, and ease of approach would be to provide new foun­ change. If these are the only changes data gathering. For example, changes dations for all walls, and install taking place, a plot of change in crack in crack width could be measured with tie rods and bracing for cracked and width versus time will fluctuate above a ruler and recorded manually or with

The profile of this tall masonry wall was obtained by These data show the change in crack width between the wall (shown in profile to the left) and an adjacent wall. measuring from a plumb bob line on each side of the In addition to its unstable geometry, the wall is continuing to tilt farther to the north. Plans are underway to wall. The geometry of the profile indicates lack of install a permanent brace to prevent collapse. stability. The center of mass of the wall appears to be almost above the lower corner of the north side of the wall indicating that small additional loading could cause collapse.

11 electronic gauges that automatically of two. The smallest reading of his transmit the data to a distant office tape was 1 mm, but that was not the where the reading is continuously plot­ accuracy. Likewise, an electronic gauge ted automatically or stored in a com­ may be giving readings to the nearest puter. In most cases, equipment some­ 0.0005 mm or more, but changes in tem­ where between these two extremes is perature, humidity, and other factors appropriate. If the accuracy of the can affect the instrument to make the ruler is 1 mm, it would take several accuracy much less than the smallest movements of more than 1 mm to estab­ reading. lish a trend. Thus, this method would be acceptable where large movements While changes in crack width have been This dial gauge installation produced the data in the were taking place in a short period emphasized, similar considerations of line chart. The gauge is mounted on top of a wall on of time. The electronic gauge may have accuracy, cost, and ease of reading ap­ one side of the crack. A metal plate is attached to the an accuracy of 0.001 mm. Thus, a trend ply to equipment for other structural taller back wall. The spring-loaded spindle of the gauge rests on the metal plate, but is not attached to it. As could be determined long before a to­ movements. Large changes in wall tilt crack width changes, the spindle moves and changes tal movement of 1.0 mm takes place. can be detected by using a plumb bob the position of the gauge hands. to plot the wall profile from time to In some cases, more than one gauge type time. Detecting small changes, however, will be used at one site. Again using would require the installation of per­ the example of measuring change in manent plumb bob brackets for precise crack width, suppose that a structure readings on the string or wire. Accu­ has several major cracks, some in the rate measurement of differential set­ walls and some in a high, vaulted tlement can be accomplished with pre­ ceiling. Since the cracks are old, it cise leveling equipment. While similar is likely that they are moving slowly, to conventional surveying, the readings and direct measurement with a ruler are in tenths and hundredths of a mil­ would not be accurate enough. Assuming limeter rather than in tenths and there is little interest in daily hundredths of a foot. Either the fluctuations, readings taken once a electronic gauge or the dial gauge dis­ A custom made gauge system. The machinist's calipers month will be sufficient to determine cussed for crack width changes would have been modified by putting a small hole in each jaw. long-term trends. Since the walls are also be appropriate for measuring de­ The holes fit over the stainless steel cones of the gauge points during reading. One set of calipers is used to easily accessible, there is no need flection of beams or other members. read numerous gauge points at one site. Caliper accura­ for a remote readout. To minimize cost, In some cases, triangulation, tilt cy is checked by taking readings on stainless steel rods one of numerous types of mechanical meters, photogrammetry, electronic of known length. gauges could be used and would be re­ distance meters, and numerous other liable and accurate. techniques may be appropriate. Com­ plex equipment does not always improve For the ceiling cracks, however, the accuracy, however, and the time in­ mechanical gauges may not be appropri­ volved in taking and analyzing data ate. It is necessary to get to the may discourage frequent assessments of gauge to read it, and erecting scaf­ structural stability. Use the simplest folding every month may be far more technique that will give the needed expensive than the cost of electronic data. gauges with a remote readout. The wires from several gauges can go to a central Before undertaking a structural moni­ point where the power supply and read­ toring program, it is important to out meter are located. All gauges can know the limitations as well as the An electronic gauge in place. This gauge is a linear be read from one meter by plugging benefits. Monitoring is a technique variable differential transformer (LVDT). Its operation in the cables from each gauge, one at of detecting structural problems, not is similar to the dial gauge with a spring-loaded spindle resting on a bracket except that it produces a voltage a time. In some applications, strip of solving them. If a structure is output that can be read at a remote location. chart recorders are useful in detec­ known to be in motion, monitoring is ting the effects of wind, seismic merely procrastination, or at best, activity, sonic booms, and other tem­ confirmation. If collapse is likely porary loads. In most cases, however, to be instantaneous, monitoring is of continuous recording only produces no value and may give a false sense more data than is needed, and the great of security. If, however, knowing the volume of paper produced is often rate of change in structural defects stored without being analyzed. Peri­ will directly affect the decision to odic readings, recorded manually, and repair or not repair ruins or historic plotted as a function of time, will structures, structural monitoring is show long-term trends in structural appropriate. movement. CRM In choosing instrumentation, it is im­ portant to realize the difference in Todd E. Rutenbeck is a structural engi­ Precise leveling equipment being used to measure the instrument's smallest reading and neer with the Division of Adobe/Stone settlement of ruins. While similar to conventional its accuracy. Using an extreme ex­ Conservation at the Western Archeo- surveying in technique, specialized equipment allows logical Center, Tucson, Arizona. direct readings of 1/10 mm with estimates to 1/100 ample, suppose that a measuring tape mm. were made with lines spaced 2 mm a- part, but the tape was incorrectly numbered with each line counted as 1 mm. Someone unfamiliar with the me­ tric system using this tape may assume that his measurements were accurate to the nearest millimeter when, in fact, they are inaccurate by a factor

15 CURATORIAL COMMENT: The Museum Role of the Park Service Ann Hitchcock - Chief Curator, NPS

One of the most pervasive yet subtle lack of awareness and emphasis regar­ for every park to have a curator, problems facing the curatorial com­ ding the museum role of parks and the all parks with collections must munity of the Park Service is the responsibility park management has to have ready access to curatorial need for recognition. Both within the give adequate curatorial care to col­ expertise. Studies are being made Service and with the general public, lections. Attesting to this low cura­ to determine how greater access there is a lack of awareness and ac­ torial profile are the superintendents' might be accomplished, e.g. through knowledgement of the NPS role in mu­ annual reports (FY 1979). Out of the regional curators, "circuit rider" seums, despite the fact that the Ser­ 238 documents submitted (from 8 re­ curators, contract curators, co­ vice has been in the museum business gions), only 61 even mention museum operative agreements or off-site since its inception. collections, and a mere 16 provide storage in Park Service Preser­ useful statistics such as numbers of vation Centers. In 1920, Stephen T. Mather, the founding items acquired or catalogued. By con­ 3. Collections Policies — Revision director, set the tone for museum devel­ trast, training courses attended, num­ of policy and procedures will as­ opment in the Park Service when he ber of arrests made, and numbers of sist parks in meeting their cur­ said that "one of the most important visitors attending various movies, atorial responsibilities. All parks matters to receive earnest consider­ talks and walks were more regularly need to write and implement a ation is the early establishment of and uniformly reported. Clearly, the Scope of Collections Statement; adequate museums in every one of our level of managerial concern for col­ the Cultural Resources Management parks." Though most parks now have lections and curatorial functions Guideline (NPS-28) is being re­ museums, many of them cannot be con­ needs to be increased and park staffs vised to provide more emphasis on sidered "adequate" in the areas of need to be made more aware of their collections; revisions in regula­ preservation and curatorial care. responsibilities for collections. tions are being sought to improve management of collections. Resources, whether wildlife, scenery, In response to this need, several pro­ 4. Upgrading Storage and Services — historic structures or collections, grams are being discussed and imple­ To bring storage up to standard provide the foundation for research mented through the Office of the Chief and provide adequate curatorial and interpretation that lead to public Curator and the Museum Services Di­ and conservation sevices, project education and enjoyment. Deterioration vision (Harpers Ferry Center). funding is being made available of these resources means deterioration 1. Baseline Data — Quantification through programs such as the Cul­ of the entire park system. Rapid growth of information on acquisitions, tural Resources Preservation Fund. of NPS resources without a concomitant cataloguing, loans, thefts, deter­ 5. Accreditation — To provide parks growth in operating funds has placed ioration, conservation treatments, with greater status in the museum severe limitations on park programs. and funds budgeted for curation profession, a program of accre­ A full one-third of the total sites in and conservation are needed for diting Park Service museums is the Park Service have been added within curatorial management at park, being explored with the American the past 12 years. This rapid growth region and servicewide levels. Association of Museums. has placed increasing pressure on cur- Concrete data is required to jus­ ation programs,bringing the Service tify positions, programs and ap­ The implementation of these programs to the point where only 10 percent of propriations. Adjustments in should contribute to providing greater its approximately 10 million objects are the budgeting and activity report­ recognition of the curatorial func­ catalogued. Park Service standards for ing processes are being sought. tions and the museum role of the Park curatorial care are in line with those 2. Professionalism and Training — Service. In order to succeed, the pro­ of the museum profession. In fact, the The present practice of assigning grams need servicewide support. Con­ Service has some superior storage and curatorial responsibility to staff cerns expressed at recent regional and conservation facilities. However, it lacking required training is un­ servicewide meetings have indicated also has many that are substandard. acceptable. Plans are being made that awareness and understanding of to provide greater access to cur­ curatorial needs is increasing. The Many of the problems may be attributed atorial training through develop­ programs outlined are an initial re­ to financial constraints, yet equal ment of local and regional pro­ sponse to those concerns. weight must be given to the Service's grams. Though it is not feasible CRM

IN THIS ISSUE... Twenty-Eight Coats of Paint 1 Standardizing HSPG's 10 'BULLETIN NPS Historic Structures 1 Building in the Western Parks 12 Volume 4, Number 1 March 1981 Decorative Arts Heritage 3 Monitoring Structural Movements 14 Historic Preservation Training 6 Curatorial Comment 16 Published quarterly by the Assistant Director, Cultural Resources, in the interest of promoting and maintaining high standards in the management of those cultural resources entrusted to the National Cultural Resources Postage and Fees Paid Park Service's care by the American people. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Department of the Interior INT 417 Washington, DC 20210

Editor: Douglas L. Caldwell Assistant Editor: Mary V. Maruca Cultural Resources, Washington, D.C.

Designer: Patrick A. Hurley Professional Publications Division, Washington, D.C.

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