FY24 project abstract heart mountain wyoming foundation project titleheart mountain root cellar restorationpublic access phasegrant AWARD851826SITESHEART mountain incarceration site park couty wythe…

The federal Project Grant award P24AP01822 in the amount of $1,277,100.82 was provided by the National Park Service's Preservation of Japanese American Confinement Sites (CFDA 15.933) Grant Program. The grant supports the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation's efforts to restore and stabilize the last remaining root cellar built by Japanese American incarcerees at the Heart Mountain incarceration site in Park County, Wyoming. Previous JACS grants have funded earlier phases of restoration and archaeological work on the root cellar. This final phase will enable the safe public access and interpretation of the root cellar, which will highlight the history of agriculture, ingenuity, and legacy of the Japanese American farmers incarcerated at Heart Mountain during World War II. The restoration project is scheduled for completion by Fall 2025.

FY24 project abstract heart mountain wyoming foundation project titleheart mountain root cellar restorationpublic access phasegrant AWARD851826SITESHEART mountain incarceration site park couty wythe heart mountain wyoming foundation will continue their efforts to restore the single remaining root cellar built by japanese american incarcerees in 1943. Previous jacs grants have supported earlier phases of restoration and stabilization work of the root cellar including an initial structural assessment and archaeological survey. The cellar requires one more phase of restoration and stabilization work and safety measures to ensure the space can be safely opened to visitors. The restored root cellar and future interpretive work will tell the history of agriculture at heart mountain the ingenuity and expertise of japanese american farmers in successfully cultivating nearly 2000 acres of farmland while incarcerated at heart mountain and their legacy to local homesteaders and communities who continued to use the irrigation canals and farming techniques pioneered by incarceree farmers following the war. The root cellar restoration is slated to be completed by fall 2025.