Restoration efforts are under way at the historic ranger’s house at the Tofte Ranger Station compound. In celebration of the ongoing rehabilitation as well as the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act, an open house will be held on Sunday, August 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On display will be information about the Civilian Conservation Corps, such as this photo of construction of the Ranger’s cabin in 1936. The picture was taken by John Eide.
The Superior National Forest will host an open house in the historic ranger’s house on the Tofte Ranger Station compound on Sunday, Aug. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will be a display with Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)- era photos and visitors will be able to view the cabin interior, learn about the Passport in Time Program (PIT) and see the ongoing rehabilitation of this beautiful, historic log structure. The rehabilitation project and open house are part of a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act as well as the heritage resources of the Superior National Forest and the partnerships that help to preserve these public treasures.
The PIT program and Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps are partnering with the Superior National Forest to work on this site. The PIT program is a national volunteer cultural heritage resources program sponsored by the USDA Forest Service. Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps is a Minnesotabased nonprofit organization that offers comprehensive young adult development programs that provide job training, educational experiences, and leadership skills through historic preservation work.
Superior National Forest Heritage Program staff, PIT volunteers and Northern Bedrock youth will work towards maintenance and rehabilitation of six National Register of Historic Places-eligible log buildings located within the Tofte Ranger Station compound. The buildings, constructed by the CCC between 1935 and 1936, are excellent examples of rustic, Adirondack-style architecture, typical of public works projects in the Great Lakes region. Time and the elements have taken their toll on these historic buildings and the PIT volunteers, Northern Bedrock, and Forest Service staff will restore them to their former glory.
Volunteers and Corps members will develop historic preservation and traditional tool skills under the supervision of Forest Service staff during the restoration project. Restoration activities will include scraping and painting building exteriors; caulking and sealing cracks in the logs and around openings; replacing and repairing broken windows; assessing and treating insect damage and rotted log ends; restoring fencing; replacing stairs and repairing other exterior parts of the ranger house; resetting paving stones; and improving drainage. The Forest Service will provide tools, personal protective equipment, camping sites and lodging in CCC buildings on-site, as well as access to kitchen and shower facilities for the volunteers and Corps members.
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