News Release

Public Input Wanted for Proposed Roof Replacement Project

Date: December 18, 2019
Contact: Laura Waller, 912-786-8182 X 1101

SAVANNAH, GA – Fort Pulaski National Monument is seeking public input regarding proposed replacement of the roof on the historic Quarantine Attendants’ Cottage currently used as park headquarters.  

The Quarantine Attendants’ Quarters is the last extant building associated with a Quarantine Station that operated on Cockspur Island from 1889 until 1937. The structure is thought to have been constructed before WWI by the Public Health Service. The building was remodeled by the United States Navy during World War II and retains much of the layout and interior finishes from this period. It was used as park superintendent’s residence from 1948 until 1969, after which it was used as park chief ranger’s residence. In 1998, it was adapted for use as the park’s administrative headquarters. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to Fort Pulaski’s district.

The proposed undertaking will replace the current non-historic three-tab asphalt shingle roof on the cottage. The replacement roof will be made of steel, in order to increase storm resiliency of the structure. The existing roof was damaged in both Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. The original roof on the structure was made of asphalt/asbestos diamond shingles in a light gray color. In consultation with the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the proposed roof replacement was determined to have an unavoidable adverse effect, as the steel roof is not in keeping with the historic appearance of an asphalt or asbestos shingle. To minimize the adverse effect of the new steel roof, the park plans to apply a brushed finish stainless steel in a diamond shingle pattern in the same size and with the same overlap as the original diamond shingle roof. Additionally, the park plans to mitigate the adverse effect by restoring two double-hung two-over-two windows in the building’s dormers, which were replaced by louvers some years ago.

Public comments and questions about the proposed undertaking are being accepted through January 3 on the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/quarantineroof

-NPS-