RESTORATION OF CABIN #24

....at Gilbert Lake State Park in New York State

THE RESTORATION OF CABIN #24

In 1999, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Central Region Restoration Crew and the Rehabilitation Crew, were asked to join forces to rehabilitate Cabin 24 at Gilbert Lake State Park in Laurens, New York. Usually, the Restoration Crew performs work at the Region’s Historic Sites (Lorenzo, Herkimer Home, Fort Ontario, Steuben Memorial, Oriskany Battlefield, and John Burroughs Memorial) and the Rehabilitation Crew performs work at the fifteen Central Region Parks. However, given the historic significance of the Civilian Conservation Corps – era cabins at Gilbert Lake, this pilot project was established to import the specialized trades skills of the Region’s Historic Site Restoration Crew. With the success of the Cabin 24 rehabilitation, the Central Region identified Cabins 8 and 9 as the year 2000 recipients of attention and the Restoration Crew is scheduled to perform this work.

Gilbert Lake’s cabins were originally designed to accommodate either six (of which Cabin 24 is an example) or four individuals (of which Cabins 8 and 9 are examples). At least three different types of cabins were actually constructed, one of the six-person type and two of the four-person type. The six-person cabins were slightly larger and had more expensive finishes and surface treatments (wood shingle roofs, larger kitchen areas, vertical wood paneling in the living rooms, etc.). The four-person cabins were slightly smaller and had less expensive finishes and treatments (asphalt tile roofs, smaller kitchens, exposed stud walls in the living rooms, etc.). Both styles were outfitted with CCC-constructed furniture, which could be categorized generally as being of late arts and crafts type.

Beginning in the fall of 1999, preliminary historic research and a condition assessment were conducted for Cabin 24. Due to time and financial constraints for this particular project, only the most pressing conditions were slated to be addressed. The State Historic Preservation Office, pursuant to Section 14.09 of the State Historic Preservation Act, approved all proposed work. The approved work has included extensive grading and drainage upgrades; provision of a compatible handicapped accessible ramp and appropriate new steps; jacking and leveling of the Cabin; introduction of sonatubes in concert with repair/replacement in-kind of the stone piers and dry laid stone foundation; extensive sill, cladding and trim repair; reglazing of all windows and repair of extant wooden screens; installation of a new chimney cap; upgrading of the electrical service; and installation of appropriate kitchen cabinets, appliances and lighting fixtures. Much of this work was completed in the fall of 1999, with outstanding site work to be completed as weather allows.

Currently, the restoration Crew is gearing up to work on Cabins 8 and 9. Continued historic research of Gilbert Lake State Park’s development and cultural landscape context and role of the Civilian Conservation Corps Company 212 is ongoing. Major initiatives planned for these two cabins include: improved site drainage; appropriate access; service/utility and structural upgrades; roof replacement; removal of later and inappropriate additions (heatilators, drop ceiling, etc.); cladding, trim and window and screen repairs; and kitchen upgrades. As with Cabin 24, all work will be submitted for prior approval by the State Historic Preservation Office, pursuant to Section 14.09 of the State Historic Preservation Act.