Old Santa Fe Trail Building Stucco Repair Project Overview

"This project will help ensure conservation for future generations to enjoy."

Historic image of CCC men constructing the adobe building.

Western Archeological and Conservation Center

The Old Santa Fe Trail Building is a treasured adobe walled structure and National Historic Landmark in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The building is set to undergo stucco rehabilitation work currently slated to begin early fall of 2018 and may require 12-18 months to complete. This project will help ensure conservation for future generations to enjoy.

Time and the elements have taken a considerable toll on the historic fabric of the adobe/wood superstructure and the rehabilitation process will address deficiencies to the exterior walls and surrounding historic features of the building. The NPS will remove and replace nearly all of the protective stucco on the exterior building walls.

The NPS closed the building to the public in May 2018 to prepare for the upcoming project and allow for time to temporarily relocate staff.

CCC men constructing adobe bricks for building construction

Western Archeological and Conservation Center

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), constructed the iconic building between 1936-1939. The CCC was a government work program that provided jobs for young, unemployed men during the Great Depression. The New-Deal era building is the largest in-use adobe office building in the United States. The building is typically open to the public and interpreted by the NPS. The public uses the building as a ceremonial location for many NPS and non-NPS functions. Private groups such as the CCC alumni use the space for interpretive purposes and provide tours to visiting dignitaries.

On June 6, 2018, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced more than $256 million in funding to rebuild critical national park infrastructure. Included on the list of approved projects is the Old Santa Fe Trail Building.

The NPS is taking the lead to ensure the the native and historic landscape of the site is protected during the renovations. In addition, the NPS Intermountain Region Museum Services Program will remove historic furnishings, artifacts, and museum archives from the building and temporarily store them in appropriate secured facilities. Some of the artwork, furnishings, historic lanterns, and ceramics will receive conservation treatments.

Historic image of women in building courtyard

Western Archeological and Conservation Center