Painted Desert Inn Historic Furnishings Project Underway

Reproduction Period Furniture in the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark

NPS Photo

News Release Date: October 20, 2009

Contact: Lyn Carranza, 928-524-6228 x245

Petrified Forest—The Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark is known for its beautiful details. Workers of the Civilian Conservation Corps provided many of these historic touches, such as the hand-painted glass panels, carved wooden corbels, and furnishings for the lunch and dining rooms. Over the years, many furnishing pieces have been damaged or lost. Through the generous donations of park visitors, funds from the Petrified Forest Museum Association, and entrance fees, a project was funded to recreate some of the missing furnishings.  The contract for the project to recreate these historic furnishings was awarded to Sky Engineering, Inc of Phoenix.

Last Friday, four reproduction tables joined the existing historic booth seats at the Painted Desert Inn, much to the delight of park visitors, employees and park volunteers. The tables feature southwestern touches including the twisted bases similar to those found on the original furniture in the museum collection,. A matching set of reproduction chairs and smaller table feature the designs of one of the hand-painted skylights. The soda fountain counter and attending stools should be in place before the holiday season. The project is on schedule.

If you haven’t been to Petrified Forest National Park for a while, make plans to visit and view the new furnishings.

For information call [phone], 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time; or write to the Superintendent, Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028; or e-mail the park Superintendent.

 

Reproduction tables join the original booths at the Painted Desert Inn National Historic Landmark.

NPS Photo