What We Do

Technical Assistance to Parks

Vanishing Treasures staff are available to parks and other federal properties throughout the American West to provide a wide range of technical assistance services for the preservation of all types of traditionally-built Western cultural resources. Staff includes a structural engineer, a materials conservator, historical architects, and a range of preservation craftspeople who can provide assistance to parks beginning with resource condition assessment and the development of treatment recommendations.

Staff can also assist with the preparation of PMIS project proposals, task agreements, coordination with CESU and other cooperators, and the execution of preservation projects.

Vanishing Treasures has worked with Mesa Verde National Park (CO), Montezuma's Castle National Monument (AZ), Grand Canyon National Park (AZ), Lassen Volcanoes National Park (CA), Death Valley National Park (CA), Walnut Canyon National Monument (AZ), Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (AK), and many others. Vanishing Treasures also has an extensive relationship with Grand Teton National Park (WY) where the preservation work crew is based.

For more information about technical requests, please contact us.

Workshops and the Vanishing Treasures Training Center

The Vanishing Treasures Training Center is managed out of the office in Grand Teton National Park and finds its home at the National Register Property, the White Grass Dude Ranch. Workshops are held on-site and at other western parks throughout the year.

Workshop topics have included a variety of historic preservation topics, such as:

• Site documentation and condition assessment
• Project planning and management
• Applying the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation in the field
• Adobe preservation
• Log/Wood condition assessment and preservation
• Historic masonry
• Historic window and door preservation
• Managing complex cultural resources

Topics can also be expanded to include special issues such as Moisture Management or Integrated Pest Management for historic buildings. To receive a training brochure or to be added to the workshop mailing list please contact us.

In the past workshops have been held in Grand Teton National Park (WY), Grand Canyon National Park (AZ), Fort Union National Monument (NM), Aztec Ruins National Historical Park (NM), Chaco Culture National Historical Park (NM), Kalaupapa National Historical Park (HI), Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (CA), Ebey's Landing National Historical Park (WA), and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (AK). If your park is interested in hosting a historic preservation workshop please contact us.

Our Vision

Vanishing Treasures helps parks, associated communities, and partner organizations to develop and implement proactive historic preservation founded in science and research through the delivery of expert technical assistance and training.

Learn more about our services.

Workshop attendees practice with traditional hand tools (draw knives) on a log. The teaching of traditional skills is one of the major goals of the Vanishing Treasures Program.

NPS Photo.