Forest Lodge 2016 - Passport in Time

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Wisconsin - Chequamegon-Nicolet NF
Closed! Forest Lodge Rehabilitation 2016: Greenhouse and Garage

dsc_0259 by USDA Forest Service/Joyce McKay
The Interior of the Greenhouse


WI-4294
June 13-17; 20-24; 27-July 1, 2016

Must commit to one full session; may participate in more

Welcome back to Forest Lodge! Crawford Livingston first bought the property that became Forest Lodge in 1902. One of the horizontal log buildings previously built on the property, when it was a logging camp, became the Main Lodge. He also added the Pump House and part of the Maid's Cabin. In 1916, Forest Lodge was transferred to his daughter Mary Livingston and her husband, Theodore Griggs.

Almost all of the 14 buildings were either erected or remodeled between 1928 and the early 1940s. Mary Griggs Burke, their daughter, conveyed the 872 acre estate to the Forest Service as part of a life estate in 1999. At her death in 2012, the property was fully transferred to the Forest Service. Today, many of the buildings need maintenance and/or repair.

This year we will rehabilitate the interior of the Greenhouse and the exterior of the Caretaker's Garage. The latter building holds all the electrical connections to the site. Both buildings are located near the current front entrance. The Greenhouse is composed of the potting shed at the front, and the windowed greenhouse at the rear. At the potting shed, we need to repair the front door; install replacement windows on the south side; re-glaze as needed; and paint 3 additional windows. At the greenhouse section, the planter boxes need to be re-built; two ventilator windows need re-building; three ventilators need to be installed on the roof; and the ridge board may need replacement.

At the Garage, we need to jack up the north side of the building; replace flooring, wall framing, and sheathing as needed; replace decaying sill plates; and install four to possibly seven piers to lift the building off the ground. If time permits, we may also repair or replace 31 rotted, vertical pieces of siding; remove the gutters; re-set and point the brick chimney; and re-roof the building. You know…small stuff.

After hours or during the weekends, go swimming in Lake Namekagon at Forest Lodge, or go walk the amazing trails. There are also places to visit nearby, such as the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center in Ashland. So, come on back to Forest Lodge, and let’s get the place back to the beauty and glory of its early years – your help in this work is very much appreciated!

Number of openings: 12-18 (4-6 volunteers per session)

Special skills: Carpentry and/or masonry skills helpful, but not required
 
Minimum age: 16 years old, under 18 with a responsible adult

Facilities: Tent and RV camping available on site in the Cow Palace field at Forest Lodge at no charge; water, flush and chemical toilets available at Cow Palace; food will be provided. Motels, restaurants, and resorts located nearby in Cable and Clam Lake; volunteers responsible for own lodging/camping equipment, and daily transportation (if opting to stay off-site)

Nearest towns: Cable, 8 miles; Clam Lake, 10 miles; Hayward, 25 miles
 
Applications due: April 25, 2016
 
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