Welcome to the fifth installment of Texas White House: Past, Present, and Future.
I'm Ranger Carole.
In the last video we discovered what it was like to open the Texas White House to visitors.
Today, we're going to dive into the importance of historic preservation.
What does it take to protect history in the present day and in the future? Let's find out.
After hosting thousands of visitors on tours inside the Texas White House, park staff began noticing signs of structural
damage between 2016 and 2018.
Let's hear more Facilities Manager Rebecca Renaud about closing the house.
During the centennial in 2016 we started noticing cracks on the ceiling of the living room, as well as the second floor on the walls.
Also during that time, we noticed the bowing of what we perceived was four structural beams in the living room.
At that point we closed down the living room and redirected tours.
So, knowing about all these projects that were coming up, we did some preliminary work, which included the structural investigation, hazardous materials investigation.
We also did some hazardous materials and some mold abatement mitigation.
Eventually, the musty smell in the house got worse. We had some HVAC issues due to the seven different additions to the house.
So we have to deal with seven different units, seven different zones.
And at that point we decided that the interior climate just wasn't contusive to visitation as well as employees so we shut down the house.
Starting in 2008, the National Park Service took many actions to address these issues,
including replacing roofing, gutters, electrical system improvements,
and installing environmental monitoring systems.
However, by the time the House closed to the public in 2018, it was clear that a more comprehensive solution was needed.
To chart a path forward, in 2018, the National Park Service brought in an outside architecture and engineering firm to assess the issues
throughout the Texas White House Complex.
This resulted in the outlines of a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate the Texas White House, Aides and Communications buildings, historic Airplane Hangar,
as well as utilities and paving throughout the site.
Lucky for the park, the completion of this assessment coincided with the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act on August 4, 2020.
The Great American Outdoors Act or GAOA is a significant investment that will help reduce the burden of backlogged maintenance in national parks,
public lands, and Tribal schools.
Additionally, GAOA will fund critical infrastructure projects to support continued preservation, accessibility, and enjoyment of our national parks.
Thanks to support from throughout the National Park Service and beyond, the Texas White House project was identified on the list of Great American Outdoors Act
Legacy Restoration Fund projects for fiscal year 2022.
This funding has allowed the park to continue with more detailed planning and design for this major rehabilitation effort.
Over the last year, the National Park Service worked closely with the National Park Service’s Denver Service Center, Anderson Hallas Architects,
and representatives from the National Park Service regional office serving Interior Regions 6, 7, and 8 to complete a schematic design for the project.
This high level design paves the way for more detailed design development and the production of construction drawings through 2023.
Once these plans are complete and construction is able to begin, it is expected that the Texas White House Complex will be closed to visitors for roughly two years.
Hi everyone I'm Justin Bates, the Superintendent here at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
The mission of National Park Service is to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park system for the enjoyment,
education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
As you've heard, preserving resources like these takes particular care, study, and work.
Here at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, we are working everyday to advance the rehabilitation and restoration of the Texas White House
and Texas White House Complex.
We encourage you to visit our website or follow us on Social Media for project updates.
We will continue to post information about the Texas White House, this major rehabilitation project, and the work and care that goes into
preserving and protecting special places like these.
We also encourage you to visit us and experience the places and landscapes that shaped our 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson.
From the Birthplace to the Boyhood Home, to the working landscape of the LBJ Ranch, there's something here for everyone and so many stories to share.