14-RFP 09 Exhibit A - Fuller Lodge Interpretive Plan 2018.pdf

Fuller Lodge Interpretive Plan, June 2018

For the development of a historically furnished hotel room, based on Donna

Braden's expertise in this area, we recommend the following steps:

1. Develop the project framework - Review institutional goals, target audiences, and visitor outcomes, how it fits into the Fuller Lodge big idea and key interpretive concepts. Determine the collections (artifacts) that the museum or County already has (check maker's marks on hotel furniture currently in Fuller Lodge). Is it possible that there is hotel era furniture in other County businesses, at the Lab, or in local businesses?

2. Historical research - Review existing archival photos and community oral histories. Issue a call to the community for furniture and furnishings from the hotel era of the Lodge-there might be a bunch of things that residents own that they would be willing to donate to the museum.

Similarly, issue a call to the community for photos of the hotel, families and friends who have stayed at the hotel. Look at furnishings from other western lodges and hotels from the era, both for comparative purposes and to determine whether similar furnishings are still being manufactured

(sources for reproductions).

3. Create the hotel room - Determine the room location. Determine whether it is a specific room copied from a snapshot or a more composite space. Develop a furnishings rationale and inventory, with artifacts, reproductions, and props needed. Articulate installation details like lighting, window, floor and wall treatments. Develop a layout plan, and schedule the installation.

4. Interpret the room - Decide on what techniques will be utilized, e.g., labels, audio, part of self-guided walking tour, part of staffed walking tour? Develop interpretive text and training. Develop a plan for cleaning and maintenance.

Interpretation in the Pajarito Room: Clearly the Pajarito Room is the crown jewel of Fuller Lodge. Just walking into the space is a memorable experience, and the view from the upstairs balcony is just as spectacular. It is not surprising that stakeholders want to preserve the purity of this grand space and do not want to see any interpretive material in the Pajarito Room.

However, almost two thirds of respondents to the community survey are neutral about this issue or do not feel that it is an important concern ( or they would not mind seeing interpretive material in the Pajarito Room).

local wedding, or even a museum lecture. When the presentation is over, the room goes back to its natural appearance, but the memories linger with participants for a very long time.

Could a creative, memorable, and sophisticated immersive audio-visual experience be created in the Pajarito Room that conveys its use throughout history without being tacky and overly commercial? The technology is certainly available, and could be powerful if handled by a filmmaker or digital producer that understands the nature of the place and the importance of the history and stories, under the guidance of a project team of stakeholders, exhibit designers, and interpretive planners.

Program Ideas

There are a multitude of program ideas that can focus more directly on Fuller

Lodge interpretive themes and stories. Since the Lodge is used so regularly for community events and programs, some residents and stakeholders may take it for granted (at least until asked how they feel about it). Programs that highlight the Lodge can also serve as continual reminders about the offerings at all of the museums and attractions in town.

Noting that there are a number of program ideas that could highlight or include Fuller Lodge in the Program Matrices of the larger SIPP

(Strategic Interpretation and Programs Plan), we offer suggestions for a number of collaborative interpretive programs at the Lodge:

• Welcome programs for newcomers: this is a natural target audience to serve since they are already seeking out the Lodge informally to learn about the unique history of Los Alamos. Perhaps on a quarterly basis, work with the County, the Lab, and other employers to offer a welcome reception and program for newcomers (they can help to provide names of people to invite). Make it feel like a special invitation so that newcomers feel acknowledged and welcomed. Provide a bit of history, information about available resources around town, health and recreation, jobs and volunteer opportunities, annual events and activities, and of course, information about the museums and cultural institutions in town. Call on the Chamber and a number of community partners to participate in these events. Offer a free pass to visit LAHM, a coupon for shop purchases, and discounted memberships. This sort of

• Scout programs: work with local scout troops (boys and girls) to develop a series of badges that are focused on Fuller Lodge history and current events. This could include a family history aspect if the scout's family has used the Lodge for their family memory-making events.

• Hold regular photo contests for events and activities that happen at the

Lodge. These can be themed on an annual basis. The winning entries could be put on display at the Lodge each year (dedicate an area for this). This is a way to continue to gather documentary evidence of how the community uses the Lodge, especially the activities that have become traditions, passed on from generation to generation. Themes could include weddings then and now (multiple generations of families using the Lodge), welcoming visitors to Los Alamos, memorable meetings and gatherings, the Lodge in changing seasons, and civic pride. It may also help to continue to encourage residents to donate their Lodge related photographs and other ephemera.

• Start a column in the newspaper and online about Fuller Lodge history, a "did you know?" approach. This could be a fun way to revisit past events like the New Year's parties that folks remember. It is also a way to highlight the archive collections, and parts of the Lodge's history, e.g., hotel era, music recitals, that older residents remember but people don't know anything about. Eventually these ramblings could be published in a book.

There are many more possible interpretive approaches and program ideas that can be explored to help Los Alamos residents and visitors to learn about Fuller

Lodge. The interpretive concepts and themes around the Lodge as a tangible link to history, the iconic structure in Los Alamos, and a part of everyone's story, the happy place, as well as the big idea of Fuller Lodge as the heart and soul of the Los Alamos community, are rich in relevance and appeal to current and future audiences. All of these ideas can be phased in as resources become available, and stakeholders set priorities.

Next Steps and Plan Implementation

As we wrap up this planning project, we recognize that Los Alamos County is in the midst of beginning the implementation of the Tourism Strategic Plan, and making big decisions about important components of community life, for

Appendix 3: Sources and Endnotes for the History Summary

Gibson, Toni Michnovicz, and Jon Michnovicz. Images of America: Los Alamos, 1944-47. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2005.

Contains bits of information and images related to Fuller Lodge during the Manhattan Project era.

"Historic Treasure Fuller Lodge: Social Gathering Place for Los Alamos since

1928." Brochure published by the Fuller Lodge Historic Districts/Advisory

Board, the Art in Public Places Board, and Los Alamos County Communications and Public Relations Division.

A brief summary of Fuller Lodge highlights from the Ranch School era to contemporary times.

Hunner, Jon. Inventing Los Alamos: The Growth of an Atomic Community.

Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 2004.

Includes a little Fuller Lodge history related to the Ranch School years, the Manhattan Project-era town council, its use at the end of the war, and the hotel era.

Kelly, Cynthia C. A Guide to the Manhattan Project in New Mexico. Washington, D.C.: Atomic Heritage Foundation, n.d.

A bit of Fuller Lodge history on p. 31.

Los Alamos 1943-1945: Beginning of an Era. Los Alamos, NM: Los Alamos Historical Society, 2007.

Despite the title, the first several pages are on the area, prehistory, early historic era, and Ranch School era; after p. 15, Manhattan Project history contains no more information relevant to Fuller Lodge.

Martin , Craig, and Heather McClenahan. Of Logs and Stone: The Buildings of the Los Alamos Ranch School. Los Alamos: All Seasons Pub., 2008.

The best historical overview of Fuller Lodge, pp. 15-34.

Snyder, Sharon, Toni Michnovicz Gibson, and the Los Alamos Historical Society.

Images of America: Los Alamos and the Pajarito Plateau. Charleston, SC:

Arcadia Publishing, 2011.

Good though fragmented overview of Los Alamos from early days to late

20th century - contains some rare images and occasional information on

Fuller Lodge and some information on what existed on the land on which Fuller Lodge was built.

Possible Future Programs/Ideas and Next Steps