B09_A1_Attach_14a_Ahwahnee_HSR_Final_Submittal_-_Report_0001.pdf

prepared for

National Park Service/ Yosemite National Park & Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

prepared by

Historic Structures Report January 2011

ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP, INC.

Architects, Planners & Conservators

ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

Histor ic Structures ReportJanuary 2011

ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

Histor ic Structures Report

PROJECT TEAM

Client National Park Service, Yosemite National Park Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc.

Paul Rogers and Brenna Lissaway, Yosemite Archives Barbara Beroza and Miriam Luchans, Yosemite Museum Collections Linda Eade, Yosemite Research Library Jan Herman, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy Kinzie Gordon, NPS Project Manager Don McLarty, NPS Project Manager Elaine Jackson-Retondo, National Historic Landmark Program Coordinator, Pacifi c West Region, National Park Service Dave Humphrey, Branch Chief, History, Architecture and Landscapes, Yosemite National Park Suann Brown Historical Architect, Yosemite National Park Gabrielle Harlan, Historical Architect, Yosemite National Park Randy Fong, Branch Chief, Design, Yosemite National Park Niki Nicholas, Division Chief, Resources Management and Science, Yosemite National Park Laura Kirn, Branch Chief, Archaeology, Yosemite National Park Jeannette Simmons, EPCO, Yosemite National Park Jim Vandenberg, CIF Project Manager, Yosemite National Park Devon Rothell, DNC Compliance Manager Brian Fulce, DNC CIF Project Manager

Th e staff of Th e Ahwahnee for assistance provided throughout the course of this project.

Principal Preparers

Architect Architectural Resources Group Pier 9, Th e Embarcadero San Francisco, California 94111

Stephen J. Farneth, FAIA, Project Principal David Wessel, AIC, FAPT, Principal Conservator Katherine Petrin, Architectural Historian, Project Manager Kitty Vieth, Historical Architect Mary Slater, Architectural Conservator Shayne E. Watson, Architectural Historian, Graphics Heidi Y. Granke, AIA, Historical Architect Katharine Untch, AIC, Conservator Kelly Wong, Conservator Mike Lovato, Project Designer, Graphics

Landscape Architect

AECOM

410 East Water Street, Suite 600 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902

Rob McGinnis, Historical Landscape Architect, Project Director Rachel Lloyd Evans, Historical Landscape Architect, Project Manager Adriane Fowler, Historical Landscape Architect Jessica Mauzy, Landscape Designer Laura Bandara, Landscape Designer Courtney Spearman, Landscape Designer Jennifer O’Brien, Graphics Lynn Frederico, GIS Specialist

Civil Engineer Provost & Pritchard 2505 Alluvial Avenue Clovis, California 93611

Dave Norman Civil Engineer

Structural Engineer Degenkolb Engineers 235 Montgomery St, Suite 500 San Francisco, California 94104

Loring A Wyllie, Jr, Senior Principal Structural Engineer

Mechanical Engineer Mechanical Design Concepts, Inc.

1060 W. Sierra, Suite 101 Fresno, California 93711

Stephen A. Becker, P.E.

Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer O’Mahony & Myer, Inc.

4340 Redwood Highway, Suite 345 San Rafael, CA 94903

Pieter Colenbrander, Principal Electrical Engineer

Acknowledgments

1ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

APPENDICES VOLUME I (Bound in this volume)

Appendix A Bibliography .................................................................................... A-1 Appendix B Secretary of the Interior’s Standards ..................................................... B-1 Appendix C Room Survey Conditions Assessments ..........................................C-1 Guest Rooms ................................................................... C-6 Guest Room Balconies ....................................................C-25 Guest Rooms in Cottages ................................................C-29 Service Areas ..................................................................C-39 Appendix D Stained and Leaded Glass Window Survey ....................................D-1 Appendix E Comprehensive List of Drawings in Chronological Order ........... E-1 Appendix F Selected Original Historical Drawings, 1926 ................................. F-1

APPENDICES VOLUME II (Bound separately)

Appendix G National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form:

Th e Ahwahnee Hotel (1977) Appendix H National Register of Historic Places, National Historic Landmark Nomination Form: Th e Ahwahnee (1987) Appendix I National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form:

Yosemite Valley (2006) Appendix J Historical Photographs in Chronological Order

TABLE OF C ONTENT S

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i Management Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i Historic Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i Administrative Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii Scope and Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv Preferred/Defined Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Recommendations for Further Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

PART I . DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY

Historical Background and Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1 Association with Significant Individuals . . . . . . . . . . . I-17 Statement of Significance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-23 Chronology of Historic Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-29 Chronology of Building and Site Development and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-31 Physical Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-37 Significance Evaluation of Hotel by Area ............ I-117 Character-Defining Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-123 Evaluation of Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-129

PART I I . C ONDITION ASSESSMENT

Architectural Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-1 Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-1 Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-9 Structural Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-51 Mechanical Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-55 Electrical Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II-57 Codes, Life Safety and Accessibility Assessment .. II-61

PART II I . TREATMENT AND USE

Recommended Building Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-1 Recommended Building Use ............................... III-1 Recommendations for Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-3 Architectural Recommendations Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-3 Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-11 Material Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-31 Structural Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-65 Mechanical Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-65 Electrical Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-66 Codes, Life Safety, and Accessibility Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III-67

Table of Contents 1

Table of C ontents

2 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

Histor ic Structures Report January 2011

Figure 1 Architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood’s rendering of Th e Ahwahnee,

c. 1925.

Figure 2 South wing of Th e Ahwahnee under construction with Yosemite Falls in the background, c. 1926.

Figure 3 Th e Ahwahnee under construction, taken from fourth fl oor, dated 3 March 1927.

Figure 4 Th e Ahwahnee under construction, c. 1926.

Figure 5 Dining Room under construction, c. 1926.

Figure 6 Exterior view looking northeast, c. 1943.

Figure 7 Ahwahnee exterior view with horseback riders, c. 1928.

Figure 8 Watercolor rendering illustrating a proposed interior scheme for the Great Lounge, c. 1926.

Figure 9 View of Th e Ahwahnee Great Lounge before it was furnished in

1927.

Figure 10 Great Lounge, c. 1927.

Figure 11 Solarium, c. 1927.

Figure 12 Original wrought-iron light fi xtures in the Solarium and Dining

Room, 2009.

Figure 13 Rubber tile fl oor in Registration Lobby, c. 1970.

Figure 14 Th e Ahwahnee Cottage sitting room, c. 1940.

Figure 15 Cottage plan of fi ve-plex Cottage with living room, c. 1930.

Figure 16 Original brochure, c. 1927.

Figure 17 View of the Private Dining Room during a dinner given by Stephen

Mather for the City of San Francisco Board of Supervisors, dated 16 July 1927.

Figure 18 Advertisement mock-up for newspaper publication, c. 1927.

Figure 19 Guests lounging outside Th e Ahwahnee, c. 1928.

Figure 20 Guests in the Great Lounge, c. 1930s.

Figure 21 View of Navy service commissioning Th e Ahwahnee as a hospital, 25 June 1943.

Figure 22 Men and women dancing in Dining Room during Navy

Occupation, c. 1943-45.

Figure 23 Plan of the U.S. Naval Convalescent Hospital at Th e Ahwahnee showing siting of new buildings and the connecting passage constructed at the west side of the Solarium, June 1943.

Figure 24 Th e Great Lounge during the Navy period, c. 1943-45.

Figure 25 Navy sailors in front of Th e Ahwahnee, c. 1943-45.

Figure 26 Sweet Shop during Navy period, c. 1944.

Figure 27 Preliminary study for Th e Ahwahnee pool by Spencer and Lee, 1960.

Figure 28 Th e Ahwahnee pool, 1982.

Figure 29 Mural over the fi replace in the Great Lounge, executed by Frann Spencer

Reynolds, date unknown.

Figure 30 Doors leading to the Dining Room, 1980.

Figure 31 Detail view of fi replace in Elevator Lobby, 1980.

Figure 32 Detail view of stained glass window in Great Lounge, 1980.

Figure 33 Overall view of the Registration Lobby, 2010.

Figure 34 Overall view of the Great Lounge, 2010.

Figure 35 Don Tresidder and Mary Curry Tresidder, undated.

Figure 36 Gilbert Stanley Underwood, c. 1919.

Figure 37 Ted Spencer, Hil Oehlmann, and Mary Curry Tresidder study plans for the new Yosemite Lodge, c. 1956.

Figure 38 Jeannette Spencer, undated.

Figure 39 Arthur Upham Pope at work in Iran, undated.

Figure 40a Robert Boardman Howard and Adaline Kent on their wedding day, 1930.

Figure 40b Robert Boardman Howard surrounded by his articulated sculptures in his San Francisco studio, c. 1959.

Figure 41 Henry Temple Howard c. 1920.

Figure 42 Charles Howard at work on unidentifi ed mural, undated.

Figure 43 Dorothy Wood Simpson, c. 1928.

Figure 44 Ansel Adams at work in Yosemite, c. 1944.

Figure 45 Th e Ahwahnee Gate Lodge, 2009.

Figure 46 People golfi ng with Th e Ahwahnee and Yosemite Falls in background, c. 1930.

Figure 47 Birthday celebration for Stephen Mather at the sixth fl oor sun porch, July 1928.

Figure 48 Elevator Lobby stairs, c. 1930s.

Figure 49 Overall view of the Great Lounge, c. 1927.

Figure 50 Early advertisement for Th e Ahwahnee, undated.

Figure 51 Dining Room during military use of Th e Ahwahnee as a hospital, c. 1944.

Figure 52 Navy nurses taking a break on the fi ft h fl oor balcony, c. 1944.

Figure 53 Walter M. Sontheimer, AIA drawing and photographs for exterior restoration, 1977.

Figure 54 Th e Ahwahnee site plan, 2009.

Figure 55 Th e Ahwahnee and Half Dome, 1943.

Figure 56 Original Porte Cochere, 1943.

Figure 57 Designed view from the Porte Cochere into the Registration

Lobby and to the fi replace beyond at the Elevator Lobby, 1943.

Figure 58 Exterior view of Dining Room, 2009.

Figure 59 East facade of south wing, 2009.

Figure 60 Porte Cochere, c. 1930.

Figure 61 View of Porte Cochere looking south, 2009.

Figure 62 View of Service Yard and loading dock, 2005.

Figure 63 Detail view of fourth and fi ft h fl oor terraces, 2009.

Figure 64 Detail view of fi ft h fl oor terrace, 2009.

Figure 65 Typical historic wood guest room window, 1943.

Figure 66 Typical replacement window at guest room, 2010.

Figure 67 Elevation showing multiple window types, including historic steel casements, screened openings, and replacements 2005.

Figure 68 Detail view of awnings, 2010.

Figure 69 Detail view of light fi xture, 1980.

Figure 70 Detail view of light fi xture outside Mural Room, 2009.

Figure 71 Historical Underwood drawing of south elevation, 1926.

Figure 72 Historical view of Registration Lobby looking toward the registration desk.

Figure 73 Overall view of Registration Lobby looking towards registration desk, 2009.

Figure 74 Detail of historic Born design of Registration Lobby and

Sweet Shop fl oor pattern, date unknown.

Figure 75 Historical view of Registration Lobby looking northeast, prior to 1943.

Figure 76 View from Registration Lobby looking east to the Ahwahnee

Bar, 2010.

Figure 77 Historical view showing south wall of enclosed Porte Cochere during Navy period, c. 1943-45.

Figure 78 View showing exterior wall of Ahwahnee Bar and East

Terrace seating, 2010.

Figure 79 View from Registration Lobby looking toward original Porte

Cochere, 1943.

Figure 80 View showing interior of Ahwahnee Bar, 2010.

Figure 81 Historical view of Sweet Shop looking west, date unknown.

Figure 82 Overall view of Sweet Shop looking west, 2010.

Figure 83 Historical view of Sweet Shop, date unknown.

Figure 84 Historical view of Sweet Shop during Navy period, c. 1944.

Figure 85 Detail view of light fi xture in Sweet Shop, 2009.

Figure 86 Detail view of Sweet Shop looking toward East Terrace, 2010.

Figure 87 Historical view of guests on East Terrace, date unknown.

Figure 88 Historical view of Gift Shop, date unknown.

Figure 89 Overall view of Gift Shop, 2010.

Figure 90 Historical view of Gift Shop, photograph by Maynard L.

Parker, c. 1950s.

Figure 91 Exterior view from entry walkway to Gift Shop, 2010.

Figure 92 Floor plan showing Gift Shop during military use, 1943.

Figure 93 Historical view of Elevator Lobby, c. 1943.

Figure 94 Overall view of Elevator Lobby, 2009.

Figure 95 Historical view of Registration Lobby hallway looking into

Elevator Lobby, 1943.

Figure 96 Historical view of principal stair at north wall of Elevator

Lobby, 1943.

Figure 97 Historical detail view of passenger elevator doors, 1943.

Figure 98 Detail view of passenger elevator doors, 2010.

LIST OF FIGURES

List of Figures

3ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

Figure 99 Detail view of lantern mounted at the lower landing of the stair, 1980.

Figure 100 Historical overall view of Great Lounge, 1943.

Figure 101 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Art Gallery, 1926.

Figure 102 Current fl oor plan of former Art Gallery space, 2010.

Figure 103 Historical view of Great Lounge showing entrance to Art

Gallery at left , c. 1927.

Figure 104 Detail view of former Art Gallery, 2010.

Figure 105 Detail view of former entrance to Art Gallery, 2010.

Figure 106 Detail view of former Art Gallery fl oor, 2010.

Figure 107 Historical view of Great Lounge looking south into South

Lounge, c. 1927.

Figure 108 Overall view of Great Lounge, 2010.

Figure 109 Detail view of window in Great Lounge, 2009.

Figure 110 Historical view of the Great Lounge looking into Under

Lounge, 1943.

Figure 111 Overall view of the Under Lounge, 2009.

Figure 112 Detail view of stair leading to the Tudor Lounge, 2010.

Figure 113 View from Winter Club Room through Under Lounge, 2009.

Figure 114 View from Under Lounge to Great Lounge, 2009.

Figure 115 Historical view of the Winter Club Room, c. 1950s.

Figure 116 Overall view of the Winter Club Room, 2009.

Figure 117 Historical view of the Winter Club Room, 1943.

Figure 118 Historical view of the Winter Club Room, c. 1940.

Figure 119 Detail view of a window at the Winter Club Room, 2009.

Figure 120 Historical view of the Mural Room, 1943.

Figure 121 Overall view of the Mural Room, 2004.

Figure 122 Overall view of the Mural Room, 2004.

Figure 123 Historical view of the north wall of the Mural Room, c. 1940.

Figure 124 Entrance to Mural Room, 2010.

Figure 125 Historical view of Solarium looking east, c. 1927.

Figure 126 Overall view of Solarium looking east, 2009.

Figure 127 Historical view of Solarium from exterior during Navy period, c. 1943.

Figure 128 Detail view of fountain in Solarium, 2009.

Figure 129 Historical view of Th e Ahwahnee Dining Room, date unknown.

Figure 130 Overall view of Dining Room, 2009.

Figure 131 Exterior view of Dining Room doors, 1980.

Figure 132 Historical view of Dining Room looking east, c. 1927.

Figure 133 Detail view of east wall, 2010.

Figure 134 Historical view of men and women dancing in Dining Room during Navy period, c. 1943-45.

Figure 135 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of ancillary Dining Room spaces, 1926.

Figure 136 Current fl oor plan of ancillary Dining Room spaces, 2010.

Figure 137 View looking toward Dining Room Manager’s Offi ce, 2010.

Figure 138 View of door to Dining Room storage, 2010.

Figure 139 View of Coat Check, 2010.

Figure 140 View looking toward Cold Storage Room, 2010.

Figure 141 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Barber Shop, 1926.

Figure 142 Current fl oor plan of former Barber Shop, 2010.

Figure 143 Overall view of General Manager’s and Executive Assistant’s

Offi ce, 2009.

Figure 144 Detail view of window in General Manager’s Executive

Assistant’s Offi ce, 2009.

Figure 145 Detail view of window in General Manager’s Executive

Assistant’s Offi ce, 2009.

Figure 146 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Men’s Room, 1926.

Figure 147 Overall view of Men’s Room, 2010.

Figure 148 Overall view of Men’s Room, 2010.

Figure 149 Historical Underwood longitudinal section, 1926.

Figure 150 Historical overall view of Kitchen, date unknown.

Figure 151 Overall view of Kitchen, 2010.

Figure 152 View of Kitchen showing windows, 2004.

Figure 153 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Kitchen, 1926.

Figure 154 Current fl oor plan of main Kitchen, 2009.

Figure 155 Overall view of the Tudor Lounge, 2010.

Figure 156 Detail view looking toward Great Lounge, 2010.

Figure 157 Detail view of fi replace in the Tudor Lounge, 2010.

Figure 158 Detail view of carved wood balustrade in the Tudor Lounge, 2010.

Figure 159 View of the Tudor Lounge set up for meeting, 2010.

Figure 160 Gunnar M. Widforss watercolor painting of Card Room No. 2, now the Colonial Room.

Figure 161 Overall view of the Colonial Room, 2009.

Figure 162 Exterior view of Colonial Room, 2010.

Figure 163 Overall view of Colonial Room, 2010.

Figure 164 Overall view of Colonial Room, 2010.

Figure 165 Historical overall view of Tresidder Room, c. 1950s.

Figure 166 Overall view of Tresidder Room looking southeast, 2009.

Figure 167 Overall view of the Tresidder Room, 2010.

Figure 168 Detail view of fi replace in the Tresidder Room, 2009.

Figure 169 Detail view of door in the Tresidder Room, 2010.

Figure 170 Historical overall view of the North Mezzanine Lounge, 1943.

Figure 171 Overall view of the North Mezzanine Lounge, 2009.

Figure 172 Historical overall view of the North Mezzanine Lounge looking toward the Diggins Bar, 1943.

Figure 173 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Women’s

Lounge, 1926.

Figure 174 Current fl oor plan of North Mezzanine Lounge, 2010.

Figure 175 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Private Dining

Room, 1926.

Figure 176 Current fl oor plan of former Private Dining Room, 2010.

Figure 177 View of the Private Dining Room during a dinner given by Stephen Mather for the City of San Francisco Board of Supervisors, dated 16 July 1927.

Figure 178 Historical view of the Diggins Bar (now Diggins Suite), 1943.

Figure 179 Historical view of the Diggins Bar (now Diggins Suite), 1943.

Figure 180 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Beauty Parlor, 1926.

Figure 181 Current fl oor plan of former Beauty Parlor, 2010.

Figure 182 Overall view of former Beauty Parlor, now a guest room, 2010.

Figure 183 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of former Women’s

Check room, 1926.

Figure 184 View of the Accessible Unisex Restroom, 2010.

Figure 185 Historical view of Women’s Room, date unknown.

Figure 186 Overall view of Women’s Room, 2010.

Figure 187 Detail of original fl oor in janitor closet, 2010.

Figure 188 Overall view of Business Center, 2009.

Figure 189 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of former

Projection Room, 1926.

Figure 190 Historical view of Projection Room openings in north wall of

Great Lounge, date unknown.

Figure 191 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Manager’s Offi ce and Secretary’s Offi ce, 1926.

Figure 192 Current fl oor plan of room 116, 2010.

Figure 193 Overall view of room 116, 2010.

Figure 194 Historical overall view of the third fl oor elevator lobby, 1943.

Figure 195 Overall view of third fl oor elevator lobby, 2009.

Figure 196 Detail of historical Underwood drawing of guest room, 1926.

Figure 197 Historical overall view of guest room 210, c. 1930s.

Figure 198 Historical overall view of guest room 501, c. 1930s.

Figure 199 Historical overall view of guest room 330, 1943.

Figure 200 Historical view of guest room during military use, c. 1943-45.

Figure 201 Overall view of guest room 501, 2010.

Figure 202 Overall view of typical guest room, 2010.

Figure 203 Historical view of a typical guest bathroom, c. 1930s.

4 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

Figure 204 Detail of historical Underwood drawing of guest room bathroom, 1926.

Figure 205 View of typical guest bathroom, 2010.

Figure 206 Historical overall view of Second Floor Parlor, looking southwest, c. 1940.

Figure 207 Historical overall view of Th ird Floor Parlor, looking southeast, 1943.

Figure 208 Historical view showing birthday celebration for Stephen

Mather at the sixth fl oor covered balcony, July 1928.

Figure 209 Interior overall view of room 603, originally the covered balcony, 2010.

Figure 210 Detail view of wainscot in Registration Lobby, 2010.

Figure 211 Overall view of sixth fl oor Library while used as a private residence, date unknown.

Figure 212 Historical view of the Tresidder apartment, now room 605, 1943.

Figure 213 Detail view of original plaster ceiling remaining above the existing ceiling on the sixth fl oor, 2010.

Figure 214 Overall view of sixth fl oor Library, room 602, originally part of the main dance fl oor space, 2009.

Figure 215 Overall view of sixth fl oor Library showing the recently uncovered original wood fl oor, 2010.

Figure 216 Exterior view of leaded windows at room 607 and south wall of room 603, originally the open-air covered balcony, 2009.

Figure 217 Historical Underwood elevation of the sixth fl oor roof garden, a public space, looking south, 1926.

Figure 218 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of sixth fl oor, 1926.

Figure 219 Current fl oor plan of sixth fl oor, 2010.

Figure 220 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of storage areas and linen closets on second fl oor, 1926.

Figure 221 Overall view of storage area on second fl oor, 2010.

Figure 222 Detail view of door to storage area, 2010.

Figure 223 Overall view of linen closet and original door, 2010.

Figure 224 Overall view of janitor closet, 2010.

Figure 225 Detail view of sink in janitor closet, 2010.

Figure 226 Overall view of service hallway on fi rst fl oor, 2010.

Figure 227 Overall view of service elevator lobby, 2010.

Figure 228 Overall view of service hallway, 2010.

Figure 229 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Housekeeping areas, 1926.

Figure 230 View into Linen Room with the Housekeeping offi ce to the left , 2010.

Figure 231 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of employee locker rooms, 1926.

Figure 232 Overall view of Men’s Locker Room, 2010.

Figure 233 Historical view of Boiler Room, date unknown.

Figure 234 Overall view of Basement, 2010.

Figure 235 Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Elevator

Penthouse, 1926.

Figure 236 Overall view of Elevator Penthouse, 2010.

Figure 237 Detail view of steel framing at ceiling, 2010.

Figure 238 Plan by the U.S. Navy showing four northernmost bays of the

Maintenance Shops at lower left , June 1943.

Figure 239 Overall view of Maintenance Shops, 2010.

Figure 240 Interior view of Maintenance Shops, 2010.

Figure 241 Detail view of Maintenance Shops, 2010.

Figure 242 Historical view of Cottage exterior, 1945.

Figure 243 Cottage exterior with patio, 2009.

Figure 244 Cottage living room, c. 1950s.

Figure 245 Overall view of Cottage living room, 2009.

Figure 246 Overall view of typical Cottage bedroom, 2010.

Figure 247 Overall view of Cottage Maintenance Building, 2010.

Figure 248 Historical exterior view of Cooks and Supply Building, now the Employee Dormitory, 1943.

Figure 249a Exterior view of the Employee Dormitory, 2010.

Figure 249b Interior view of central hallway, 2009.

Figure 249c Historical view of Cooks and Supply Building, now the

Employee Dormitory, 1943.

Figure 250 Detail view of fourth and fi ft h fl oor balconies, 2009.

Figure 251 Detail view of the granite piers at the Solarium, 2009.

Figure 252 Detail view of the Registration Lobby rubber fl oor tiles, 2009.

Figure 253 View of recessed bench and drinking fountain at Registration

Lobby hallway, 2009.

Figure 254 Detail view of clock at registration desk, 2009.

Figure 255 Detail view of original Sweet Shop pendant light fi xture, 2009.

Figure 256 Detail view of the Under Lounge fi replace, 2009.

Figure 257 Detail view of the Winter Club Room fi replace, 2009.

Figure 258 Detail view of the Solarium fountain, 2009.

Figure 259 Overall view of the Tudor Lounge, 2009.

Figure 260 Detail view of light fi xture in the North Mezzanine Lounge, 2009.

Figure 261 View of wall paneling in former Library, now room 602, 2009.

Figure 262 Detail view of dumbwaiter in Basement, 2009.

Figure 263 View of Th e Ahwahnee exterior, looking northeast, 2009.

Figure 264 Detail view of log columns at the Th ird Floor Parlor at the south end, 2009.

Figure 265 Detail view of typical concrete wall discoloration below windows, 2009.

Figure 266 Detail view of stenciled log and wood wall along the entrance walkway, 2009.

Figure 267 Poor mortar repair at West Loggia, 2009.

Figure 268 Detail view of Porte Cochere, 2010.

Figure 269 Detail view of covered entrance walkway, 2010.

Figure 270 Detail view of fi ft h fl oor balcony from sixth fl oor, 2009.

Figure 271 Detail view of rotten wood log rail at fi ft h fl oor balcony, 2009.

Figure 272 Exterior view of West Terrace looking toward West Loggia, 2009.

Figure 273 Detail view of column at West Loggia, 2009.

Figure 274 Detail view of typical aluminum guest room window with wood shutters, 2009.

Figure 275 Detail view of sixth fl oor leaded glass windows, 2009.

Figure 276 Detail view of typical window and doors at south wall of the

Dining Room, 2009.

Figure 277 Historical view of the West Loggia, 1943.

Figure 278 Detail view of exterior lighting at West Loggia, 2009.

Figure 279 Detail view of entrance to fi ve-plex Cottage, 2009.

Figure 280 Detail view of typical grille at Cottage gable end, 2009.

Figure 281 View of back of duplex Cottage with projecting windows at dressing rooms, 2009.

Figure 282 Detail view of typical non-historic entrance door at duplex

Cottage, 2009.

Figure 283 Detail view of historic Cottage patio doors off of central living room, 2009.

Figure 284 Detail view of chimney at fi ve-plex Cottage, 2009.

Figure 285 Detail view of Employee Dormitory front entrance, 2009.

Figure 286 Detail view of exposed wiring at exterior wall of Employee

Dormitory, 2009.

Figure 287 Overall view of the Great Lounge, 2009.

Figure 288 Overall view of the Registration Lobby, 2009.

Figure 289 Detail view of decorative rubber tiles in Registration Lobby, 2009.

Figure 290 Detail view of recessed bench in Registration Lobby, 2009.

Figure 291 Overall view of Ahwahnee Bar, 2009.

Figure 292 Detail view of fl oor behind bar in Ahwahnee Bar, 2009.

Figure 293 Detail view of historic door and surround in Sweet Shop, 2009.

Figure 294 Historic pair of doors to exterior in Sweet Shop, 2009.

Figure 295 Detail view of water-damaged stencils in Sweet Shop, 2009.

Figure 296 Detail view of VCT fl ooring in Sweet Shop, 2009.

5ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

Figure 297 Detail view of interior door and display case in Sweet Shop, 2009.

Figure 298 Detail view of door to Service Yard in Sweet Shop, 2009.

Figure 299 Detail view of VCT fl ooring in Gift Shop, 2009.

Figure 300 Detail view of soot accumulation in fi replace, 2009.

Figure 301 Detail view of Elevator Lobby fi replace hearth, 2009.

Figure 302 Former entrance to Art Gallery, 2009.

Figure 303 Detail view of water damage at ceiling in former Art Gallery, 2009.

Figure 304 Detail view of stencils on beams in the Great Lounge in poor condition, 2009.

Figure 305 Detail view of fi replace in the Great Lounge, 2009.

Figure 306 Detail view of fi replace in the Under Lounge, 2009.

Figure 307 Overall view of the Under Lounge looking toward the Great

Lounge, 2009.

Figure 308 Detail view of the concrete fl oor the Winter Club Room, 2009.

Figure 309 Detail view of historic light fi xture in the Winter Club Room, 2009.

Figure 310 Detail view of mural in Mural Room, 2009.

Figure 311 Detail view of fi replace and copper hood in Mural Room, 2009.

Figure 312 Detail view of concrete fl oor in Solarium, 2009.

Figure 313 Jasper stone fountain in the Solarium, 2009.

Figure 314 Detail view of concrete fl oor in Dining Room, 2009.

Figure 315 Detail view of deteriorated fi nishes at beam and stencils in

Dining Room, 2009.

Figure 316 Detail view of door to Dining Room storage, 2010.

Figure 317 Detail view of carpet in Dining Room Manager’s Offi ce, 2009.

Figure 318 Overall view of Food and Beverage Manager’s Offi ce, 2010.

Figure 319 Detail view of ceiling in Food and Beverage Manager’s Offi ce, 2009.

Figure 320 Door from hallway to General Manager’s and Executive

Assistant’s Offi ces, 2009.

Figure 321 Detail of interior window located between the General

Manager’s Offi ce and the Executive Assistant’s Offi ce, 2009.

Figure 322 Detail view of stall in Men’s Room, 2010.

Figure 323 Detail view of tile fl oor in Men’s Room, 2010.

Figure 324 Detail view of tile fl oor in Kitchen, 2009.

Figure 325 View of dropped ceiling in Chef ’s Offi ce, 2009.

Figure 326 Detail view of window in Kitchen in fair condition, 2010.

Figure 327 Detail view of carpet in Tudor Lounge in good condition, 2010.

Figure 328 Detail view of ceiling in Tudor Lounge, 2009.

Figure 329 Detail view of cast-stone hearth in Tudor Lounge, 2010.

Figure 330 Detail view of balustrade in Tudor Lounge, 2009.

Figure 331 Detail view of glazed doors between Colonial Room and

Tudor Lounge, 2009.

Figure 332 Detail view of chandelier and ceiling in Colonial Room, 2009.

Figure 333 Detail view of fi replace in Colonial Room, 2010.

Figure 334 Detail view of chandelier and ceiling in Tresidder Room, 2010.

Figure 335 Detail view of exterior doors in Tresidder Room, 2009.

Figure 336 Fireplace in Tresidder Room, 2009.

Figure 337 Detail view of concrete fl oor in North Mezzanine Lounge, 2009.

Figure 338 Detail view of painted beam in North Mezzanine Lounge, 2009.

Figure 339 Detail view of balustrade in North Mezzanine Lounge, 2010.

Figure 340 View of hallway and stair in Diggins Suite, 2009.

Figure 341 Detail view of bathtub in Diggins Suite, 2009.

Figure 342 View of bathroom from Diggins Suite hallway, 2009.

Figure 343 Detail view of carpet damage in Diggins Suite, 2009.

Figure 344 Overall view of room 117, 2009.

Figure 345 Detail view of bathroom fl oor in room 117, 2009.

Figure 346 Overall view of Accessible Unisex Restroom, 2010.

Figure 347 Detail view of countertop in Accessible Unisex Restroom, 2010.

Figure 348 Overall view of Women’s Room, 2010.

Figure 349 Overall view of Women’s Room, 2010.

Figure 350 Overall view of Business Center, 2009.

Figure 351 Detail view of built-in cabinet in Business Center, 2009.

Figure 352 Overall view of room 116, 2010.

Figure 353 Overall view of room 116, 2010.

Figure 354 Detail view of cracks in stencils in a corridor, 2010.

Figure 355 View of corridor and hose cabinet, 2010.

Figure 356 Detail view of stencil condition in a guest room, 2009.

Figure 357 Detail view of transom over a guest room door, 2009.

Figure 358 Detail view bathtub and wall tile in guest bathroom, 2010.

Figure 359 Detail view of guest bathroom ceiling, 2010.

Figure 360 Detail view of fl oor tile in guest bathroom, 2010.

Figure 361 Detail view of hinge at door in guest bathroom, 2010.

Figure 362 Overall view of Second Floor Parlor, 2009.

Figure 363 Detail view of second fl oor fi replace, 2009.

Figure 364 Overall view of sixth fl oor Library, 2009.

Figure 365 Detail view of fi replace in sixth fl oor Library, 2010.

Figure 366 Detail view of fl oor in sixth fl oor, 2010.

Figure 367 Detail view of ceiling in linen closet, 2010.

Figure 368 Detail view of wall in janitor closet, 2010.

Figure 369 Overall view of linen closet, 2010.

Figure 370 Detail view of original door in service hallway, 2010.

Figure 371 Detail view of service elevator door, 2010.

Figure 372 Detail view of door and hallway, 2010.

Figure 373 Overall view of Housekeeping area, 2010.

Figure 374 Detail view of fl oor and wall opening in Housekeeping area, 2010.

Figure 375 View of partitions in Women’s Locker Room toilet room, 2010.

Figure 376 Detail view of sinks and fl oor in Men’s Locker Room, 2010.

Figure 377 Detail view of fl oor in locker area in Women’s Locker Room, 2010.

Figure 378 View of Basement walls and ceiling, 2010.

Figure 379 Detail view of deterioration at wall and door in Basement, 2010.

Figure 380 Detail view of wall and ceiling in Basement, 2010.

Figure 381 Detail view of ceiling in Elevator Penthouse, 2010.

Figure 382 Detail view of access hatch to Elevator Penthouse, 2010.

Figure 383 Detail view of corbels in Maintenance Shops, 2009.

Figure 384 View of post and beam construction at exterior wall of

Maintenance Shops, 2009.

Figure 385 Detail views of overpainted stenciling in Cottage rooms 709 and 715, 2010.

Figure 386 Remodeled Cottage bathroom, 2009.

Figure 387 Typical strap hinge at doors between bedrooms and dressing rooms in Cottage, 2009.

Figure 388 Detail view of damage on door frame in Employee

Dormitory, 2010.

Figure 389 Detail view of fl oor in Employee Dormitory offi ce, 2010.

Figure 390 Detail view of carpet wear and staining in Employee

Dormitory, 2010.

Figure 391 Detail view of crack in vinyl fl ooring in Employee Dormitory shower room, 2010.

Figure 392 Central tower of main building, view to northwest, c. 1927.

Figure 393 Central tower of main building, view to northwest, 2009.

Figure 394 Detail view of roof and window at sixth fl oor, 2010.

Figure 395 Exterior view of Dining Room, c. 1927.

Figure 396 Exterior view of Dining Room, 2009.

Figure 397 Exterior detail view of Dining Room doors, 2009.

Figure 398 Detail view of log balcony guardrail, 2009.

Figure 399 Overall view of covered entrance walkway, 2010.

Figure 400 Detail view of Service Yard, 2010.

Figure 401 Exterior detail view of south wing, 1928.

6 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

Figure 402 Historical view of Dining Room, 1943.

Figure 403 Patio at back side of Cottage 710 to 714, c. 1930.

Figure 404 Patio at back side of Cottage rooms 710 to 714, 2009.

Figure 405 Detail view of door to Cottage room 717 (then called room

34C), 1943.

Figure 406 Detail view of door to Cottage room 717, 2009.

Figure 407 Overall view of Employee Dormitory (originally the Cooks and Supply Building) near completion, 1943.

Figure 408 Overall view of Dormitory, 2009.

Figure 409 Detail views of historic door hardware on the sixth fl oor, 2010.

Figure 410 Detail of mural in Mural Room, 2009.

Figure 411 View from Ahwahnee Bar to Registration Lobby, 2010.

Figure 412 View from Sweet Shop to Registration Lobby, 2010.

Figure 413 Detail view of entrance to Gift Shop, 2010.

Figure 414 Detail view of mural in Elevator Lobby, 2010.

Figure 415 Detail views of ceiling in Great Lounge, 2010.

Figure 416 Detail view of fi replace in Under Lounge, 2010.

Figure 417 Overall view of Winter Club Room, 2010.

Figure 418 Historical view of Mural Room showing wall surface and fl oor, 1943.

Figure 419 Historical overall view of Solarium, c. 1940.

Figure 420 Detail view of Dining Room fl oor and wall, 2010.

Figure 421 Overall view of the Tudor Lounge, 2009.

Figure 422 Gunnar M. Widforss watercolor painting of Card Room No. 2, now Colonial Room, c. 1927.

Figure 423 Historical view of Tresidder Room, c. 1950s.

Figure 424 Detail view of historic light fi xture in North Mezzanine

Lounge, 2010.

Figure 425 Overall view of typical corridor, 2010.

Figure 426 Overall view of typical guest room, 2010.

Figure 427 Detail view of sixth fl oor Library, 2010.

Figure 428 Detail view of hoistway equipment in Elevator Penthouse, 2010.

Figure 429 Detail view of Cottage exterior, 2010.

Figure 430a Effl orescence on stained concrete and granite, 2009.

Figure 430b Effl orescence and patched concrete, 2009.

Figure 431 Spalled concrete at loggia soffi t, 2009.

Figure 432 Exposed concrete foundations with cracks and spalling, 2009.

Figure 433 Concrete pavement, faded and cracked, 2009.

Figure 434 Granite masonry sheathing steel structural columns, 2009.

Figure 435 Mortar with vertical cracking and detachment, 2009.

Figure 436 Recently replaced mortar, 2009.

Figure 437 Exterior log construction includes column covers, window framing, siding, and raft er tails, 2009.

Figure 438 Poorly executed repairs at log balcony railing, 2009.

Figure 439 Log column covers at the south wing suites with damage from woodpecker activity, 2009.

Figure 440 Doors with interior raised-grain texture, 2009.

Figure 441 Kalamein door, 2009.

Figure 442 Stiles at the base of these doors, 2009.

Figure 443 Original steel casement windows at stair tower, 2009.

Figure 444 Historic wood window at the Great Lounge, with stained glass insert, 2009.

Figure 445 Leaded glass windows at the sixth fl oor with failing paint and glazing putty, 2009.

Figure 446 Red paint on pendant fi xture, 2009.

Figure 447 Paint coatings on fi xture, 2009.

Figure 448 Aluminum guest room window, 2009.

Figure 449 Resin beam, 2009.

Figure 450 Resin raft er tail covers, 2009.

Figure 451 Chipped replacement slates, 2009.

Figure 452 Abrasion damage at underside of Porte Cochere, 2009.

Figure 453 Duff on roofs and in copper gutters, 2009.

Figure 454 Guest room walls and ceiling, c. 1943.

Figure 455 Buckling plaster and blistering paint at guest room hallway ceiling, 2009.

Figure 456 Interior plaster of uneven, rustic texture, 2009.

Figure 457 Plaster walls exhibit cracks from building movement at stress points such as room corners, 2009.

Figure 458 Extensively re-worked stenciling in guest room hallways with only a few vestiges of original work, as at fourth fl oor, 2009.

Figure 459 Re-worked stencil designs blend in with original work, 2009.

Figure 460 Historical decorative paint scheme at a guest room elevator lobby, c. 1943.

Figure 461 Decorative painting at a guest room connecting door, c.1943.

Figure 462 Cracks in concrete at typical stress points damage stenciling in guest rooms and hallways, 2009.

Figure 463 Paint failure at decorative stenciling resulting from moisture damage to plaster and concrete substrates, 2009.

Figure 464 Granite column covers in the Dining Room, 2009.

Figure 465 Jasper stone fi replace in the Elevator Lobby, 1980.

Figure 466 Soot deposits on jasper stone fi replace in the Elevator Lobby, 2009.

Figure 467 Jasper stone masonry at the Solarium fountain, 2009.

Figure 468 Cast-stone fi replace surrounds, stained and soiled, 2009.

Figure 469 Painted cast-stone fi replace surround at Tudor Lounge, 2009.

Figure 470 Interior stained concrete fl oors, cracked and faded, 2009.

Figure 471 Floor fi nishes in the Great Lounge, 2007.

Figure 472 View of room 223, c. 1943.

Figure 473 Guest room doors with paint blistering and peeling, 2009.

Figure 474 Mural Room wood fl oor fi nishes and paneling, 2009.

Figure 475 Bricks in fi reboxes, 2009.

Figure 476 Non-historic painting at fi replace in Colonial Room, 2009.

Figure 477 Rubber tiles in the Registration Lobby, 2009.

Figure 478 Linoleum replacement tiles, 2009.

Figure 479 Rubber fl ooring in heavily traffi cked area, 2009.

Figure 480 Interior light fi xtures with uneven fi nishes, 2009.

Figure 481 Original rich, bronze patina of the Mural Room copper fi replace hood, 1943.

Figure 482 Copper fi replace hood with shiny fi nish, 2009.

Figure 483 Painting in the Mural Room, 2009.

Figure 484 Celotex panels in the Dining Room, 2009.

Figure 485 View of mural over the Elevator Lobby fi replace, 2009.

Figure 486 Exposed aggregate patio surface, 2009.

Figure 487 Squirrel emerging from burrow under concrete patio slab, 2009.

Figure 488 Exposed concrete foundations with biological growth, 2009.

Figure 489 Exposed concrete foundations with effl orescence and paint failure, 2009.

Figure 490a Soiling and incompatible repair mortar at granite chimney, 2009.

Figure 490b Mortar loss at granite chimney, 2009.

Figure 491 Delaminating fl agstone and incompatible patches at delaminated fl agstone, 2009.

Figure 492 Original intended fi nish of exterior wood elements, 1945.

Figure 493 Rot at eaves due to moisture infi ltration, 2009.

Figure 494 Rot at shaped beam end, 2009.

Figure 495 Guano at historic wood grilles in gable ends, 2009.

Figure 496 Failure of coatings at exterior wood window trim, 2009.

Figure 497 Vertical wood siding with cupping, paint failure and biological growth, 2009.

Figure 498 Failure of coating on wood trim at the entry door, 2009.

Figure 499 Bore holes at exterior wall trim due to avian activity, 2009.

Figure 500 Exterior wood, in fair to good condition, 2009.

Figure 501 Deteriorated bottom stile of wood door, 2009.

Figure 502 Surface loss at wood threshold due to excessive wear, 2009.

Figure 503a Non-historic light fi xture, 2009.

Figure 503b Duff collected on wood shingle roof, 2009.

Figure 504 Original design of decorative stencils at Cottages, 1943.

7ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

Figure 505 Current appearance of decorative stencil and wall paint fi nishes, 2009.

Figure 506 Overpainting at decorative wall stencil, 2009.

Figure 507 Cracking at joint between the wall and ceiling, 2009.

Figure 508 Cracks in gypsum wall board surface at stress points such as window openings, 2009.

Figure 509 Excessive soot accumulation at stone fi rebox and hearth, 2009.

Figure 510 Damage to historic wood panels and trim due to excessive use, 2009.

Figure 511 Degraded fi nish on historic wood wall and door panels, 2009.

Figure 512 Wood elements, moderately worn, 2009.

Figure 513 Iron strap hinges, 2009.

Figure 514 Decorative levers, 2009.

8 ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

PROJECT OVERVIEW

iARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

I N T RODU C T ION

Management Summary Architectural Resources Group (ARG) has prepared Th e Ahwahnee Historic Structures Report (HSR) to further the project goal of rehabilitating Th e Ahwahnee, presently operated by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. (DNC) and owned by the National Park Service (NPS). Produced in conjunction with Th e Ahwahnee Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) prepared by AECOM, this document will serve as an update to the existing HSR for Th e Ahwahnee completed in 1997. Th e HSR and the CLR for Th e Ahwahnee are complementary volumes, with diff erent focal points, although there will necessarily be some overlap of information.

Both documents will be used to inform the development of a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan for Th e Ahwahnee, as well as to inform ongoing preservation and maintenance of the building.

Because of its historic and architectural signifi cance, Th e Ahwahnee is one of the nation’s most acclaimed buildings. It is a designated National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal designation, and a contributor to the Yosemite Valley Historic District.

Th e Ahwahnee’s nearly continuous use as a hotel has meant that most spaces retain their original functions. Levels of both material integrity and original design intent are high. Spaces and character-defi ning features continue to convey the hotel’s historic contexts to varying degrees. For example, the Dining Room is quite intact, whereas guest room fi nishes have been subjected to multiple modifi cations. Due to its relatively high level of integrity, consideration of the implications for future use is critical.

Th is HSR evaluates the contributing buildings within Th e Ahwahnee Developed Area of the Yosemite Valley Historic District. Th e contents of this HSR comply with NPS Director’s Order 28: Cultural Resource Management Guideline, Chapter 8.

Th is HSR is ambitious in its goals for conveying information about the extraordinary qualities of Th e Ahwahnee’s design and construction through historical information, fi ne-grain existing conditions data, and forward-looking treatment recommendations. Th is HSR is comprised of thee main parts, Part I - Developmental History, Part II - Condition Assessment, and Part III - Recommendations. Th e majority of Part I is the Physical Description section, which is based on investigative analysis of historic documentation. Using paired historic and present-day views, and, where possible, comparative fl oor plans, each exterior element and interior space can be understood in its historic context and from a current perspective. Part I is further comprised of background and contexts, a discussion of signifi cance, and a specifi c list of character-defi ning features. Signifi cance evaluations consider each space and acknowledge that they convey the hotel’s historic contexts to varying degrees. Th e Ahwahnee’s signifi cance ratings fall into the following fi ve categories: Very Signifi cant, Signifi cant, Contributing, Historic Utilitarian, and Non-Historic.

Part II - Condition Assessment evaluates exterior and interior conditions at Th e Ahwahnee in a comprehensive way by considering exterior features and interior spaces, including all guest rooms. Th e Condition Assessment section covers the hotel’s interior, exterior, and the following systems: structural (seismic), mechanical, electrical, and fi re and life safety.

Part III - Recommendations covers exterior features and interior spaces and the conservation of materials closely associated with the architectural expression of Th e Ahwahnee, bringing to light any defi ciencies. Th is section outlines a philosophy for proposed work, which will be carried out in accordance with Th e Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings (Th e Standards).

Historic Overview Completed in 1927 and designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood for the Yosemite Park & Curry Company (YP&C Co.), Incorporating concrete, steel and indigenous materials, Th e Ahwahnee exhibits tenets of the rustic style on a grand scale. Th e Ahwahnee is signifi cant for its site, setting, materials, highest quality design and artistic values, and craft smanship. As a counterpoint to the smaller scale and more densely grouped buildings in nearby Yosemite Village, Th e Ahwahnee is sited in the vast plain of the Great Meadow to capture many of Yosemite’s iconic sights, including Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point. Sited below the Royal Arches rock formations, the setting is integral to its design and expression.

Representing the work of prolifi c master architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, Th e Ahwahnee was conceived by Stephen T. Mather, fi rst Director of the National Park Service, as a grand hotel for Yosemite National Park. Th e Ahwahnee was inaugurated on 14 July 1927 and was owned and operated by the YP&C Co. for half a century.

Architect Underwood, with the YP&C Co. and their contractor, James L. McLaughlin Co. of San Francisco, executed the project under extremely challenging circumstances resulting in a construction cost of $1,250,000, more than double the original estimate. With the solid massing of a rock pile buttressed by fl ared stone piers, the seven-story structure was designed to refl ect the surrounding natural conditions and materials. Th e Ahwahnee’s primary building materials are concrete, steel, stone, wood, and glass.

In 1928, eight Cottages designed by architect Eldridge (Ted) Spencer were built within a grove of pines to the east of the main building.

Th e original interior scheme was conceived of by Persian art experts Arthur Upham Pope and Dr. Phyllis Ackerman. Many fi nishes and works of art were executed by regional artists, sculptors, and painters, most of whom were based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

A dm inistrative D ata

Project Overview ii ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

In the early years Th e Ahwahnee was exclusive, catering to distinguished, affl uent guests. Th e hotel acquired international fame for its architectural achievement amid the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park and continued to host dignitaries throughout the 20th century. Events of historic importance include Th e Ahwahnee’s World War II (WWII) wartime use. Th is interesting chapter in the hotel’s history began in June 1943 when it was leased by the U.S. Navy for use as a convalescent hospital for ambulatory patients.

Over time, Th e Ahwahnee has been a subject of debate regarding the appropriate role of recreation in the national parks as its stewards sought a balance between contemplative enjoyment of nature and development. Th e Ahwahnee is considered the last lodge built to such high levels of architectural merit and artistic signifi cance, as refl ected in this statement from the Yosemite Valley National Historic Landmark District nomination:

Among the greatest of the national park lodges, the Ahwahnee Hotel would also be the last. Fine hotels were built in the parks during the 1930s and even aft er the war; but never again would a national park lodge achieve the level of artistic signifi cance of the Ahwahnee Hotel.1

1 Ethan Carr et al., National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Yosemite Valley (Oakland, CA: National Park Service, 2006) 42.

A DM I N I ST R AT I V E DATA

Building Information Building: Th e Ahwahnee Location: Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Co., CA Year…