Grotto Museum Restoration Update
Now it is easy to catch the vision!

For the last three months, rehabilitation of the Grotto Museum has entailed group effort from contractors, the Western Center for Historic Preservation (WCHP), and park staff. Contractors and tasks include the following: A&E Architects, of Missoula MT, provided construction drawings and plans for the rehabilitation project; Michael Brooks, a local contractor from Virgin, UT, completed extensive subfloor concrete work to stabilize the structure foundation and installed a subfloor moisture barrier and all of the floor joists; Hydo-Tech, Inc, from Lehi, Utah, a company that specializes in historic restoration and cleaning, carefully removed the many layers of lead-based paint from the historic interior masonry and plaster walls. Exterior landscaping, by Dana DeMille of Diamond D Landscaping, Inc., in Cedar City, is on-going. Diamond D has installed a system of french drains surrounding the structure and recontoured the ground surface to direct subsurface moisture away from the structure. Final surface contouring and vegetation planting will occur later in the summer.

The WCHP crew from Grand Tetons NP has completed almost all of the interior rehabilitation including the following major tasks: installing new flooring, rebuilding interior walls and surfacing, installing insulation, rehabilitating and reinstalling all the interior doors and door trim, rehabilitating all window sashes and screens, installing steel reinforcement support structures within four window/door apertures, repairing all window and exterior door framing, repairing roof facia and purlins, installing additional supports and stabilizing roof trusses, repointing and repairing structure masonry, and rebuilding period kitchen and utility area cabinetry. The WCHP crew plans to be done on or about June 1.

Zion Maintenance staff have also contributed considerable effort and support to the project installing all the utilities. The park electrician, Barry Rhodes, installed new electrical service and wiring throughout the building. The park plumber, Dave Brooks, installed new plumbing, and will finish up with new historically compatible fixtures. The park HVAC specialist, Earl Cox, installed a new high efficiency heating and cooling unit that will allow for all season use of the building.

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Sarah L. Horton
Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management
Zion National Park
Springdale, Utah 84767

It is heartwarming to see the generosity and enthusiasm of people who love Zion National Park and who desire to contribute to the preservation of this spectacular place. If you would like to be invited to next year’s Fall Fundraising Event please call Tracy Jones or Michael Plyler at 435-772-3264 to have your name added to the list.To donate to the Grotto Project call 435-772-3264 or visit the web at www.zionpark.org.