The USFS Youth Conservation Corps installed and painted a picket fence around the cemetery on July 15-16. The white picket fence is more historically appropriate than the deteriorated rail fence it replaces.
A team of HistoriCorps volunteers spent a week at Bowerman Barn in early October to help complete some critical stabilization projects including some foundation and beam replacements involving traditional mortise and tenon joinery pegged together with hardwood pegs.
The group, camping, on site endured some of the first cold nights with frost of the season.
HistoriCorps’ mission is to save and sustain historic places for public benefit through partnerships that foster public involvement, engage volunteers and provide training and education. HistoriCorps is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides volunteers of all skill levels with a hands-on experience preserving historic structures on public lands across America. Volunteers work with HistoriCorps field staff to learn preservation skills and put those skills to work saving historic places that have fallen into disrepair. HistoriCorps works to ensure America’s cultural and historical resources exist for generations to come.
Funding was provided by the USFS and the Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee.
Local volunteer, Russ Robinson, brought his earth moving equipment to the Bowerman Barn to build a gently sloped new section of trail connecting the existing asphalt area behind the barn to the Guy Covington Road. Thank you Russ!
A group of volunteers turned out on Sunday afternoon on May 21 to prepare the barn and trail for the Memorial day weekend visitors. The group cleared weeds around the barn, cut small trees along the interpretive trail, removed barbed wire, and cleaned the inside of the barn.
On January 12, 2017, volunteers, Carol, Pam, and Erik met with USFS staff, Cindy, Phyllis and Valerie to discuss the layout and content of the interpretive sign. The sign will be approximately 4 feet high by 6 feet wide and include information about the Bowerman family, the barn construction and function, and the interpretive trail.
On January 14th, volunteers photographed features in the interior of the barn. The recent snow required some effort to remove before getting into the barn.
After much hard work by all, a new Interpretive Plan has been approved by USFS District Ranger, Lesley Yen.
On Wednesday August 3, 2016, volunteers met with USFS personnel at the Young Family Ranch in Weaverville to discuss the Interpretive trail plan. Attending from the USFS were Valerie Glowinski, Peter Schmidt, Cynthia Luzietti, and Phyllis Swanson. Volunteer attendees were Carol Fall, Pam Augspurger, and Erik Anderson.
On Saturday July 2, 2016 visitors had the rare opportunity to visit the inside of the Bowerman Barn guided by docent, Carol Fall. The inside is only accessible during guided tours due to structural issues. Future docent tours will be announced on this website and local media.
On April 12, 2016, Forest Service personnel and volunteers met at the Bowerman Barn to discuss the interpretive trail. The group walked along the proposed trail to define the path and the location of interpretive markers. The County Resource Conservation District, which will help build the trail, was represented by Shiloe Braxton, District Manager. Forest Service personnel attending were Vinci Keeler, Phyllis Swanson, Peter Schmidt, Cynthia Luzietti, and Charles Clark. Volunteers included Carol Fall, Pam Augspurger, Erik Anderson, and Mariko Tanaka.