Great American Outdoors Act Funds Help Restore a Piece of Navajo National Monument's Heart

Navajo National Monument (NAVA), renowned for its ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, holds another layer of history within its boundaries – a history intertwined with the story of the Navajo people. Thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) and the skilled craftspeople of the National Park Service's (NPS) Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) Maintenance Action Team (MAT), a significant piece of that history has been restored: the historic Ranger Hogan.

Navajo National Monument Transformation

Left image
Before image of Navajo National Park hogan, under construction.
Credit: NPS

Right image
Restored Navajo National Park hogan.
Credit: NPS

Built in 1950-51, the hogan served as a residence for the park's early Navajo NPS Rangers. For a time, it was even home to the family of Albert Laughter, a local community member, creating deep and lasting ties between the structure and the Navajo community. Over time, however, the hogan fell into disrepair, prompting safety concerns and closure to the public.

Rangers install skylight at the hogan.

NPS

Recognizing the hogan's significance, NAVA initiated a project to rehabilitate and preserve it. This is where the HPTC MAT stepped in. MATs are composed of NPS staff specializing in historic restoration, traveling to parks nationwide to undertake critical maintenance and repair projects. These teams are vital, bringing specialized skills to parks and ensuring the preservation of historic structures for future generations.

"We are very pleased with the excellent work that has been completed on the Historic Ranger Hogan by the MAT. This work has restored a structure that was in dire need of repair. We look forward to now being able to use this historic structure to educate students and engage the visiting public," stated Navajo National Monument Superintendent Carranza.

Staff working on the walls of the hogan.

NPS

The MAT crew's work at NAVA was extensive. They meticulously repaired the hogan's foundation, log walls, roof system, windows, and doors, using compatible materials and traditional techniques. The project also presented an opportunity to engage the next generation of park stewards. The MAT crew partnered with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), providing local interns with hands-on experience in historic preservation.

The completion of the rehabilitation was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by community members, park staff, and the MAT crew. But the story doesn't end there. In a powerful moment of connection, local Navajo tribal members requested a blessing ceremony to "return the hogan back to NPS." This ceremony, filled with personal stories and deep cultural significance, further solidified the hogan's importance to the community. The impact of the project resonated beyond the park's boundaries.