Shafer Museum Log Cabin Conservation and Grounds Improvement

Chris Gustafson was hired for two weeks to train and empower six to nine volunteers to make a series of improvements to the multiple structures owned by Shafer Museum located in Winthrop Washington, a small community East of the North Cascades. Prior to the activity, he was hired six months before the event to perform an assessment on the property to identify its current needs and compile documents for the museum to pursue funding.

What was identified and accomplished was the thorough cleaning of their primary structure, preservation of the log surfaces, improvement of the grounds drainage and the cutting back of encroaching vegetation.

With the help of many hands, partnership with local business’, and a little guidance from Chris, the work was completed and the Museum was equipment with the materials, knowledge, and confidence to make it a yearly effort in managing and conserving their historic and cultural assets.

Hard at work to improve the drainage.

The project was such an enormous success, they were recipients of a very large grant that will now be utilized to maintain their momentum for Chris to return in equipping their shop space with the proper tools, materials, and additional instruction to not only conserve the exterior of all of their buildings but also in the preservation and conservation of their windows, doors, porch, roofs, and their exhibit of logging, farming, and mining equipment.

Learn more about this beautiful facility by visiting the Shafer Museum website here.

Whether you are looking for opportunities to learn, or trying to find help in conserving your museum or community space for the enjoyment and interpretation for others, please reach out to Vintage Windows Restoration to see what opportunities may be available and how we can help you in your journey towards conserving your resources.