At 1 o’clock this afternoon (April 19), the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service will mark a milestone in the ongoing revitalization of the Painted Desert Community Complex at Petrified Forest National Park–the successful restoration of the Modern masterpiece’s original glass storefront. This achievement reveals the complex’s original, forward-looking vision, and builds on the increasing recognition of its bold design and innovative visitor center concept.
The public reception will be held at the complex. The public can hear from a roster of special guests, state officials and local partners about the recently completed work and importance of the Painted Desert Community Complex as a national model that integrates sustainable practices and the treatment of mid-century resources throughout the National Park Service.
“We are excited to be a part of these efforts to protect and celebrate the Painted Desert Community Complex and its Modern architectural heritage, and we commend our partners on their excellent stewardship of this national treasure,” said David J. Brown, executive vice president and chief preservation officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The National Park Service’s dedication to the ongoing restoration of one of the earliest and best examples of Modern design within its parks will ensure it provides a spectacular experience for the site’s numerous visitors for years to come.”
The restoration of the Painted Desert Community Complex’s glass Oasis Building storefront, which once again features unobstructed views of the courtyard and complex, was made possible in part by a $150,000 grant from American Express, secured by the National Trust to help undo the inappropriate alterations made to this prominent building decades ago.
“The partnership between the National Trust, American Express and the National Park Service to restore a part of the Painted Desert Community Complex serves as a national model for how we can leverage public private partnerships to preserve our most significant heritage assets,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “I am proud to see these partnerships operating in Arizona’s 22 national parks, as well as the 35 parks that comprise our state parks system.”
Since naming the Painted Desert Community Complex a National Treasure in late 2014, the National Trust has been quite active at the site to help raise its visibility and restore original design features. In partnership with Valspar Paint, the National Trust deployed a HOPE Crew–an initiative to train young people in preservation crafts–to return the striking original exterior paint colors to several buildings. The National Trust also enlisted Historic Resources Group, a California-based preservation consulting firm, to provide technical expertise on other restoration projects at the Complex. Additionally, the National Trust successfully advocated for the U.S. Department of the Interior to designate the Painted Desert Community Complex as a National Historic Landmark earlier this year. The National Treasure campaign has generated significant achievements for the complex, due to the commitment of many partners, including National Park Service staff at Petrified Forest National Park; Modern Phoenix; the Arizona Preservation Foundation; the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation; Docomomo US; the Arizona Conservation Corps; and the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, among others.
“Reopening the original storefront–on the heels of a National Historic Landmark designation–represents another crucial step toward safeguarding the Painted Desert Community Complex as a key example of desert-based modernism and as the operational headquarters of Petrified Forest National Park for many more decades,” said Brad Traver, superintendent of Petrified Forest National Park. “We’re bringing the national spotlight back to the complex’s one-of-a-kind architectural legacy and visitor experience.”
With nearly 700,000 visitors to Petrified Forest National Park last year, the National Park Service has allocated upwards of an additional $7 million to complete the rehabilitation of the entire complex by the end of 2022. Restoring the Painted Desert Community Complex’s historic integrity and addressing years of deferred maintenance will give visitors a new chance to recapture and experience the optimistic spirit of the original design’s intention.
The public is also encouraged to explore Petrified Forest National Park during National Park Week the weekend of April 22 and 23, when all national parks across the country will waive admission fees.
To learn more about the Painted Desert Community Complex and ongoing restoration efforts by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and national and local partners, go online to www.savingplaces.org/painted-desert-returns.
