Master Planning for Block 14

In fiscal years 2009-10, Congress approved funding to reconstruct two barracks buildings in Block 14. Barracks 1 appears as it would have when Japanese Americans first arrived at Manzanar in 1942 while Barracks 8 represents life in 1945. In 2011, exhibits were installed in a restored World War II-era mess hall. Future plans include reconstructing one or more additional buildings in the block such as latrines, a laundry room or an ironing room.

The Office of Krister Olmon, teamed with the historic preservation architecture firm Drisko Studio, is tasked to create a master interpretive plan for Block 14, a conceptual design for a variety of exterior interpretive exhibits, and interior exhibit plans for Barracks 1 and 8. We invite you to review and comment on proposed approaches outlined in the Block 14 Draft Master Plan. Please send comments to e-mail us by February 15, 2012.

The National Park Service is required by federal laws and regulations to include public input in projects and plans that may have impacts on our natural and cultural resources. But equally important, we want to know what you think about what we are doing in your parks. Your comments are an important tool that we use to better manage park sites.

In 2005 the National Park Service launched a new website, Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC), where you can read about proposed projects and plans in parks and where you can add your comments electronically.

We invite you to take an active role in park planning. After all, these are your parks.