The summer field season has been a blur of activity, and although I have periodically checked up on other blogs, composing my next contribution to the Mt. Adams blog has been one of the furthest things from my mind. In consideration of these facts, I present to you a photo blog of heritage work on the Monongahela National Forest.
Deteriorating historic infrastructure. West Virginia has always been a “resource extraction” state, and many buildings tell the tale of past boom times.
Multiple civil war forts provide glimpses back in time.
Limestone and Sandstone have created multiple rock shelters on the Monongahela. Shown here is the deluxe two level variety. These are commonly associated with pre-historic habitation.
We had the fortune of being trained by HistoriCorps as part of a project to restore an old cabin on the forest.
I made this new window ledge. One of many “firsts” for me on the cabin restoration project.
Can you spot the preservation opportunity?
Positive feedback when we cut back the overgrown vegetation at this site was immediate. We received multiple visitors while we worked.
The final photos are before and after shots of a project I had the opportunity of leading. Although it’s nearly impossible to choose a favorite project of the summer, this vegetation cleanup project was hands down the most fulfilling. Not only did this put to active use the chainsaw training I had received earlier in the summer, it also provided a unique partnership opportunity with a group that has opposed other aspects of forest service work in the region.
In other words, we did not let our difference of opinions preclude us from working together on common goals. Although this is wisdom that can always bear repeating, it seems even timelier given the current political climate in the country, and was definitely heartening to me. Now with just over three months left in my internship, it’s time to see about turning these experiences into a job.
A regional meeting with other VetsWork interns included a train ride!
