B09_A1_Attach_14b_Ahwahnee_HSR_Final_Submittal_-_Report_0001.pdf

ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUPPhysical Description

Histor ic Structures Report

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Lighting Th ree circular 9-light candle-type fi xtures with a tin shade were suspended by chains in the Women’s Lounge. Mounted to the ceiling of the stairwell opening on the north, and visible from the Women’s Lounge, was a wrought-iron pendant fi xture with a mica shade.

Current Description Th e North Mezzanine Lounge is currently used for circulation space to the fi rst fl oor guest rooms, the public Women’s Room and the unisex accessible restroom. It also serves as a general seating area.

Secondary guest services are available here; the hotel’s only automated cash machine and a pair of pay phones are found in this space.

Th e North Mezzanine Lounge is located directly above the Elevator Lobby and is similar in proportion. Unlike the Elevator Lobby below, the symmetry of the North Mezzanine Lounge has been somewhat compromised due to the construction of the fi re stair vestibule which extends into the space.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e original historic concrete fl oor remains. Th e walls are painted.

Th e ceiling has a monochromatic painted fi nish. Th e ceiling beams are painted a dark brown.

Openings and Doors Th e historic openings in the south wall retain the original confi guration. Th e wood balustrade has an iron handrail that serves to increase the height of the balustrade for safety reasons. Spotlights, mounted on the wood balustrades, are angled to the Great Lounge below. Original elevator doors remain in place.

Lighting Th e room retains all three historic ceiling fi xtures in the original locations. Th e ceiling-mounted wrought-iron pendant fi xture remains in the original location in the stairwell.

Women’s Lounge (North Mezzanine Lounge)

Historic Description Overlooking the Great Lounge from the mezzanine level was the Women’s Lounge. In close proximity to the Women’s Room and the Beauty Salon, it was originally intended to be used primarily as a sitting space for women. Adjacent to the main stair and elevator, this space was also important for circulation and connected to a corridor on the east and the Private Dining Room on the west.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e concrete fl oor was stained a mottled dark brown and orange color in a checkerboard pattern. Th e walls and ceiling were of textured plaster, integrally colored. Th e ceiling beams had a faux-wood fi nish, light in color.

Openings and Doors Two openings in the south wall provided an outlook over the Great Lounge below. As visually interesting features, the openings distinguish this space. Each opening was enclosed by a balustrade of decoratively carved wood. Rugs draped over the balustrade added color and visual interest. Below the main beam, four overscaled shaped brackets of textured plaster embellished the corners of the openings in the Women’s Lounge. Unique to the building, several doors in this space are a paneled wood stile and rail type with incised corner detail at the panels and a raised grain texture. Service and passenger elevator doors were located on the north wall.

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE

Figure 170: Historical overall view of the North Mezzanine Lounge, 1943. (Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113965)

Figure 171: Overall view of the North Mezzanine Lounge, 2009. (Source: ARG)

Physical DescriptionARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES GROUP

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Figure 174: Current fl oor plan of North Mezzanine Lounge, 2010. (Source: ARG)

Summary of Changes Due to the importance of this space for circulation, a number of doors open off this space. As uses of the adjoining rooms have changed, some corresponding doors have been altered or removed.

Th e door on the east wall, originally leading to the General Manager’s Offi ce, has been removed. On the west wall, the door to the Beauty Parlor has been fi xed in place and the hardware removed. Th e doors to the Diggins Suite, the unisex accessible restroom, and the Women’s Room door appear to be original. A pair of non-historic fi re doors has been added to the east of the room, separating the guest room hallway from the lounge.

In 1964 a gypsum-board vestibule for the main stair that projects into the room from the center of the north wall was constructed as part of the smoke-proof stair tower project. Modifi cations to the wall plane at the western bay of the wall have also been made in order to increase the size of the Women’s Room.

It is unknown if the stenciling surrounding the elevator doors in the North Mezzanine Lounge is original. Th e stenciling surrounding the elevator doors on upper fl oors was repainted in a style similar to the original aft er the period of signifi cance.

Figure 173: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Women’s Lounge, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 172: Historical overall view of the North Mezzanine Lounge looking toward the Diggins Bar, 1943. (Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113969)

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Private Dining Room (Diggins Suite)

Historic Description Approached through a narrow hallway from the Women’s Lounge, this space was originally a Private Dining Room with a service pantry and a back stair connection to the Kitchen. A rare historical photograph provides information about the appearance of the room during the six years that it was used this way.

Th e fl oor of this room was wood according to the original drawings.

Th e fl oor material of the entry vestibule and the service pantry was concrete. Th e walls were plaster with a decorative wood wainscot similar to that in the Registration Lobby and Sweet Shop. Th e ceilings of these spaces were plaster.

In 1933, these spaces were converted to the El Dorado Diggings Cocktail Lounge, later known as the Diggins Bar, which portrayed a western town in great detail. Th e layout of the space was not changed signifi cantly for the new use. Th e former Private Dining Room became the cocktail lounge, and the service area became the actual bar space. Th e decorative fi nishes however were dramatically altered.

Th e walls and ceiling were decorated with a combination of trompe l’oeil surfaces and three-dimensional architectural elements that depicted the façades and porches of Gold Rush era buildings, such as Sullivan and Cashmans’ Emporium and Th e Cosmopolitan Bar.

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE

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

(Source: ARG)

Figure 175: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Private Dining Room, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 177: Image of dinner given by Stephen Mather to San Francisco Supervisors in the Private Dining Room, 1927. Note light fi xture, wood trim at windows, and wood wainscot. (Source: San Francisco Public Library)

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Figure 178: Historical view of the Diggins Bar (now Diggins Suite), 1943. (Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113948)

Figure 179: Historical view of the Diggins Bar (now Diggins Suite), 1943. (Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113945)

Lighting A decorative pendant fi xture with similar detailing to other historic fi xtures in the hotel was located in the center of the dining space. Th is fi xture was removed when the room became a bar. Th e Diggins Bar included a variety of decorative fi xtures that related to the character of the themed architectural elements in the space.

Current Description Th is area is currently used primarily as a guest suite, which is approximately 15 by 34 feet. A living room, bedroom, and bath comprise the guest suite. Th e former bar area was converted into an offi ce that is accessed from the service hallway to the north. Th is offi ce is occupied by Group Services staff .

Other than the perimeter walls of this area and some doors, all of the fi nishes in the Diggins Suite and Group Services Offi ce are non-historic.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e vestibule fl oor is covered in 12x12 slate tiles that are similar to the tiles in the sixth fl oor elevator lobby. Two steps lead up from the vestibule to the hallway; another two steps go down to the living room. Th e steps are carpeted. Th e carpet in the hallway, living room and bedroom is the same as the carpet in the second and third fl oor suites. Th e bathroom, toilet and shower room have 1x1 mosaic tiles in similar colors to the other guest bathrooms but in a diff erent pattern.

Th e perimeter walls are historic plaster, while the non-historic interior walls are gypsum board. Th e west side of the hallway has a vinyl wall covering. Th ere are a set of fi xed wood panels on the west wall of the bedroom that cover the wood shutters that overlook the Dining Room. Th e base trim is fl at wood. Crown molding has been added at the top of the ceiling, at the bottom of the beams and around the living room at the level of the beams. All of the trim is painted white. Th e bathroom has 2x2 and 1x1 tile wainscots with full-height tile at the tub and shower surrounds.

Th e living room has a non-historic plaster ceiling, but the rest of the suite has dropped gypsum board ceilings. Th e living room has beams along the north and east walls.

Openings and Doors Doors from the North Mezzanine Lounge to the suite vestibule are a pair of stile and rail wood doors, which appear to be historic. Th e doors feature decoratively carved arrows at the corners of the two panels and a raised grain texture. Like the other doors that face the North Mezzanine Lounge, the outer face of these doors is painted black. Th e doors from the vestibule to the suite are a similar pair that is painted white and tan and have a smooth fi nish. Th ere is a pair of undecorated single-panel stile and rail wood doors to the back hallway and the closet. A non-historic single fl ush wood door is at the back of the closet. Th e door to the bathroom is a sliding pocket door. Th e door to the toilet and shower room is a single-panel stile and rail wood door that is similar to typical historic doors found at other guest rooms. Th ere are no doors between the living room and bedroom or between the bedroom and the hallway.

Lighting Th e suite has a mix of diff erent types and styles of light fi xtures. One of the original Sweet Shop light fi xtures is located in the hallway, and a cylindrical wrought-iron pendant fi xture hangs from a recessed downlight next to the former Sweet Shop light. Th e cylindrical fi xture may be original to the building, but it is not original to this space.

Th e bathroom has a soffi t with fl uorescent lights, a surface-mounted light in the shower room, and recessed downlights over the tub. Th e hallway has recessed downlights. Th e living room has a ceiling-hung pendant in the southeast corner. None of the light fi xtures are original to these spaces.

Summary of Changes Th e room was used as a chapel by the Navy from 1943 to 1945. During this time, the decorative fi nishes related to the Diggins Bar were kept in place. Aft er the Navy left , the space returned to its use as a bar.

In 1987, it was converted to a guest suite. Th is work included raising the fl oor up two steps at what would become the bedroom, bath and closet of the suite. Th e living room remains at the original level of the room. As part of the same project, an offi ce area was created from the service area at the north end of the bar. Th is offi ce currently houses the Group Services staff .

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Summary of Changes Th e Beauty Parlor closed permanently in 1959, although it is still noted as such on fl oor plans from 1963. It is unknown exactly when the room was converted to offi ce space, which included two offi ces and a storage room, but it was called out as an offi ce on a set of fl oor plans by architect Walter Sontheimer dated 1979. In 1987, this room was converted from offi ce space to a guest room when the Diggins Suite was created. Th e bathroom fi nishes and fi xtures were replaced in 1994 when these elements were updated throughout the hotel.

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE

Beauty Parlor (Room 117)

Historic Description Historically this space was the Beauty Parlor, which included three small enclosed stations within the larger room. Each of the stations had a lavatory centered on the west wall that faced a central opening in the east wall. According to the original drawings, the fl oor was concrete. Th e walls and ceiling were plaster. Th e original stile and rail door to the Beauty Parlor matched the other doors at the Women’s Lounge that featured carved arrows at the corners of the panels.

Current Description Th ese rooms were combined into one guest room, which is how it continues to be used. Th e guest room is approximately 24 feet by 18 feet. Th e historic carved stile and rail door at the entry to the Beauty Parlor has been fi xed in its original location at the west wall of the North Mezzanine Lounge. Th e entry door of the guest room also matches the other entry doors at the Diggins Suite and North Mezzanine Lounge.

Other than the entry door, the materials in Room 117 currently are typical of the guest rooms on the fi rst through fi ft h fl oors. Th ese materials are detailed in the guest room description section.

Figure 180: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Beauty Parlor, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 181: Current fl oor plan of former Beauty Parlor, 2010. (Source: ARG)

Figure 182: Overall view of former Beauty Parlor, now a guest room, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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Lighting Th e restroom has a fl uorescent strip light mounted on the ceiling.

Special Features Th e non-historic countertop is covered with the same mosaic tile that is on the walls.

Summary of Changes At some point, the Check Room was converted to offi ce space.

By 1987 when the Diggins Suite was designed, the room had been converted to a unisex accessible toilet room. Women’s Check Room (Accessible Unisex

Restroom)

Historic Description Th is room was originally the Check Room for the Women’s Lounge, now the North Mezzanine Lounge. According to the original drawings, the fl oor was concrete and the space was formerly lined with shelves.

Current Description Th is small room is a unisex accessible restroom for the public, and it measures 8½ by 9½ feet in size.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e room has non-historic 1x1 square patterned mosaic tiles on the fl oor. Th e same tiles are used at the wainscots, above which are painted plaster walls. Th e painted plaster walls are historic; the tile wainscots are not. Th e room has a non-historic painted gypsum board ceiling with a wood access panel surrounded by wood trim.

Openings and Doors Th e accessible restroom door is a stile and rail door with carved arrows at the corners of the panels. It has a non-historic lever handle, with a thumb-turn lock. Th e door also has a kick plate at the interior face of the door only.

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE

UNISEX

RESTROOM

Figure 184: View of the Accessible Unisex Restroom, 2010.

(Source: ARG)

Figure 183: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of former Women’s Check room, 1926.

(Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

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Women’s Room

Historic Description Th is room was the public Women’s Room for the hotel, a function that continues today. Four toilet stalls lined the west wall, and four lavatories were located on the east wall. A small vestibule with a janitor closet was located between the restroom and the Women’s Lounge to the south. Th is room historically had a tile fl oor and wainscots. Th e walls above the wainscots and ceiling were plaster.

Originally, the Women’s Room had one entry door and one door at the janitor closet. Th e historic door at the entry remains in place, and it matches the other decoratively carved doors in the Women’s Lounge.

Current Description Th e Women’s Room is rectangular, with a small vestibule between the restroom and the North Mezzanine Lounge to the south. Th e main room is approximately 16 by 14 feet, and the vestibule is 7 by 3 feet. Located at the west end of the vestibule, the janitor closet is roughly 4 by 4 feet. Th e layout of the Women’s Room has not changed signifi cantly since the hotel opened, but the fi nishes and fi xtures have been replaced at least once.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl ooring is non-historic 1x1 square patterned mosaic tiles. Th e janitor closet within the Women’s Room has historic white octagonal tiles and non-historic 12x12 vinyl tiles over part of the room. Th e

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE

Figure 185: Historical view of Women’s Room, date unknown. (Source: Radanovich, Yosemite Valley, 87.)

Figure 186: Overall view of Women’s Room, 2010. (Source: ARG)

Women’s Room has non-historic 1x1 square mosaic tile wainscots with a decorative band at the top. Above the tile wainscots are painted historic plaster walls.

Th e Women’s Room has historic painted plaster ceilings, but the entry vestibule has a non-historic dropped ceiling with 12x12 surface applied acoustical tiles.

Openings and Doors Th e Women’s Room has three doors, one from the vestibule to the lounge, one from the vestibule to the janitor closet, and one from the vestibule to the restroom. Th e door between the vestibule and lounge is a historic stile and rail wood door with decoratively carved panels and a grille at the bottom. Th e door from the vestibule to the restroom is a simple stile and rail wood door. Th e hardware on these doors includes pulls on the outside and a push plate on the inside of the lounge door. Th e door to the janitor’s closet is a non-historic fl ush wood door with a lock and knob.

Lighting Th e lighting in this room includes non-historic pendant uplights and wall mounted fi xtures in the main restroom space and a non-historic ceiling mounted fi xture in the vestibule.

Special Features Th e non-historic countertops in the Women’s Room are clad with mosaic tile. Th e non-historic partitions in the restrooms are plastic.

Summary of Changes Th e fi nishes in the restroom were replaced in 1971. Th e appearance of the existing fi nishes suggest that they may have been replaced again more recently.

Figure 187: Detail of original fl oor in janitor closet, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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Summary of Changes It is unknown when the Projection Room became an offi ce. Th e conversion from offi ce to the Business Center occurred in 2008.

Projection Room (Business Center)

Historic Description According to the original drawings, this space was designed to be a projection room for the Great Lounge. Original drawings indicate the fl oor in this space was concrete. Th e walls and ceiling were plaster.

Th e door to this space was a decoratively carved stile and rail door that was similar to the other doors that opened off the North Mezzanine Lounge. Two punched openings to allow for projection were located in the south wall of the room. Th e openings are visible in historical photographs of the north wall of the Great Lounge. Th e removable grille called out on the plans and elevations is not evident however.

Current Description Th is small room is rectangular in size and measures approximately 7 by 8 feet. It is currently used as the Business Center with two computer stations available to guests.

Th e fl oor in the Business Center is covered in carpet tiles. Th e walls and ceiling are painted historic plaster. Th e decoratively carved stile and rail door to the Business Center is still in place. Th e Business Center has non-historic, built-in desks and a strip fl uorescent fi xture with a decorative cover, all of which were installed recently.

Figure 188: Overall view of Business Center, 2009.

(Source: ARG)

Figure 190: Historical view of Projection Room openings in north wall of Great Lounge, date unknown. (Source: Yosemite Research Library, RL 15387)

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE

BUSINESS

CENTER

Figure 189: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of former Projection Room, 1926.

(Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

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Th e materials in Room 116 currently are typical of the guest rooms on the fi rst through fi ft h fl oors. Th ese materials are detailed in the guest room description section.

Summary of Changes It is unknown when these offi ces were converted to guest room use.

Th e 1987 plans for conversion of the former Beauty Parlor space into a guest room indicate the current use of that space as the Manager’s Offi ce, which may indicate that the Manager’s Offi ce was relocated to the Beauty Parlor area aft er it closed in 1959.

In 2008, the bathroom in Room 116 was expanded into former closet and chase areas in order to make it accessible to those with disabilities. Other accessibility modifi cations at this time included replacing the entrance and bathroom doors and their hardware.

Manager’s Office and Secretary’s Office (Room 116)

Historic Description Historically, the Manager’s Offi ce was located off the fi rst fl oor corridor, adjacent to the Women’s Lounge, now the North Mezzanine Lounge. Th e associated Secretary’s Offi ce was adjacent to the Manager’s Offi ce, but it opened directly off the Women’s Lounge. Th e Secretary’s Offi ce was approximately 8 by 15 feet with a deep closet lined with shelved at the north end of the room. Th e Manager’s Offi ce was larger at 10 by 19 feet, and it featured two closets and a restroom.

On the original plans, the fl oors in both spaces are described as cement, similar to the adjacent Women’s Lounge but without a scored pattern. Th e walls and ceilings were plaster. One original door remains at the entrance from the Women’s Lounge; this door matched the other decoratively carved doors at the Women’s Lounge. A single-panel stile and rail closet door remains in use. No information is available about the other materials in these spaces.

Current Description At an unknown time, the offi ce areas were combined into one guest room, which is how it continues to be used today. Th e guest room is approximately 19 feet by 19 feet, with an ADA-compliant bathroom with an opening to it located on the east wall. Th e single-panel stile and rail closet door is the original closet door used when this space was an offi ce. It remains in its original location.

Figure 191: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of Manager’s Offi ce and Secretary’s Offi ce, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 192: Current fl oor plan of room 116, 2010. (Source: ARG) Figure 193: Overall view of room 116, 2010. (Source: ARG)

FIRST FLOOR / MEZZANINE

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First through Fifth Floor Elevator Lobbies and Corridors

Historically, the upper fl oor elevator lobbies and corridors were important as ancillary or supportive spaces for the overall hotel function, providing access by elevator or stair to the upper fl oors and circulation within each fl oor.

Historic Description Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Historical photographs indicate the original fl oor treatment throughout the hallways consisted of a multi-colored striped carpet in hues of yellow and dark blue. Wood baseboards were stained.

Walls and ceilings were originally integral colored plaster. Decorative painted stencils ran along the upper levels of all corridor walls.

At each elevator lobby decorative painted stencils surrounded the openings for the elevator doors and the door to the stair.

Openings and Doors Th e corridors were lined with guest room doors, typically solid wood and single-panel, with transoms above. At the elevator lobbies there was a set of two doors, one for the service elevator and one for the passenger elevator.

Lighting Wrought-iron suspended fi xtures were located at elevator lobbies and in the hallways. Fixtures were not uniform and diff ered slightly in style from fl oor to fl oor.

Special Features Th e building was originally equipped with a central vacuum system located in the Basement with outlets in the baseboards on the upper fl oor corridors and throughout the building.

Current Description Upper fl oor elevator lobbies and corridors continue to support the overall function of the hotel. Elevator lobbies and hallways retain original confi gurations.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Floor surfaces are carpeted with a patterned, cut-pile broadloom. Th e plaster walls of the hallways are painted and exhibit multiple layers of paint. Th e baseboard trim is painted dark brown. Original and new or modifi ed decorative painted fi nishes are found on all upper levels of all corridor walls on each fl oor and on beams.

Openings and Doors Most guest room doors lining the corridors remain in original locations and have painted transoms. Door to the service elevator is original. Th e doors to the passenger elevator are replacements.

Partially glazed, wood-framed doors with sidelights, a transom and panic hardware are located at the east end of the second and third fl oor hallways leading to original balconies as well as to the exit stair, which was built in 1964. Th e doors to the south exit stair (on the second through fourth fl oors) are hollow metal with metal frames.

Lighting Light fi xtures on these fl oors typically consist of replacement bowl-type suspended fi xtures with a decorative painted border. Two original historic fi xtures are now located by the south exit stair on the third and fourth fl oors.

Special Features Th e building’s original central vacuum system has been abandoned.

Vacuum outlets remain at the level of the hallway baseboard trim.

Wood access panels are located low on the walls and have been painted. Each fl oor retains an original wood-framed fi re hose cabinet that are now used for fi re extinguishers.

Summary of Changes Th ese spaces have been minimally modifi ed. Changes to fi nishes and fi xtures have occurred periodically over time. Carpets have been replaced. Most wall, ceiling, door and trim fi nishes have been painted.

Th e plaster walls of the hallways have been repainted frequently.

Stained wood fi nishes have been painted. Painted stencils at elevator doors have been changed. Many of the stencils have been reworked with new paint over the original. Decorative stencils around the doors leading to stairs have been removed. Some modifi cations have been made in the areas of the south wing and east wing exits: at the south wing, short hallways were added at each fl oor to provide access to the non-historic exit stair; at the east wing, exit doors were moved further into the building when the exit stair was modifi ed.

Light fi xtures have all been replaced. Although not in original locations, two historic fi xtures are located near the south exit stair on the third and fourth fl oors.

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

(Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113947)

Figure 195: Overall view of third fl oor elevator lobby, 2009. (Source: ARG)

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January 2011 fi nish. Operable transoms over the entry doors were fi nished with a dark stain as were the door frames; each transom had a unique stencil at the center. Full-length, bevel-edged mirrors were mounted to interior communicating doors.

Lighting Each guest room was equipped with a single light, candle-type fi xture suspended from the center of the ceiling as the primary light source.

During the period of signifi cance, original fi xtures were uniformly modifi ed when candle-type lights were replaced with glass cups.

Special Features Bedrooms were equipped with recessed, squared wall cabinets with decorative doors, referred to by designer Phyllis Ackerman as Tyrolean cabinets.

Current Description Consistent with expectations of the hospitality building type, guest rooms have been modifi ed over time. However, in general, most guest rooms retain the original arrangement, proportions, circulation and confi gurations.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors are covered with carpet. Th e plaster walls and ceilings are generally painted. Bands of stencils remain at the top perimeter of guest room walls. Some stencil patterns have been repainted; others have been replicated across new walls and soffi ts.

Openings and Doors Th e wood doors, door frames, and trims are mostly original. Th e wood doors at the room entry and connection to adjacent rooms generally remain in original historic locations. Entry and connecting or communicating doors have raised panels added to them that reduce sound transmission between spaces. Some historic single-panel closet doors remain in use and many retain original knobs.

Full-length mirrors with a beveled edge are mounted inside original closet doors. In rooms where the closets were modifi ed, replacement

Guest Rooms in Main Building

Historic Description Like other grand hotels of the same era, the focus of Th e Ahwahnee interior was on the design and decoration of the public spaces.

Guest rooms were intended primarily for resting and dressing.

Other activities, gathering, socializing, and dining were meant to occur in public spaces. Even more solitary pursuits such as reading or writing could happen in public spaces. Accordingly, guest rooms off ered essential amenities and were furnished simply, practically and comfortably. Th e scope of Pope and Ackerman’s work extended to design schemes for the guest rooms.

Guest rooms were located on the second through sixth fl oors and on the east wing of the fi rst fl oor. Th e guest room fl oors were organized around spacious double-loaded corridors.

Ceiling heights were 9 feet 4 inches. Generally, each guest room was comprised of a narrow entry space, bedroom, bathroom, closet and at least one window which aff orded a view to the landscape. Some rooms were connected by an interior door. Original Underwood drawings illustrated guest room furniture layouts specifying the position of beds, dressers, and armchairs and writing desks angled at the corners.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Guest room fl oors were carpeted with a profi led wood baseboard.

Floors oft en had an additional covering or rug for decorative eff ect.

Walls and ceilings were of integrally colored plaster. Th e predominant palette for guest room walls varied and included mustard yellow, antique off -white, light-colored salmon and possibly other colors.

Bands of painted stencils at the top of the guest room walls encircled the perimeter. Stencils were used to accentuate door openings or as a decorative wall feature.

Openings and Doors Guest rooms had wood-framed casements in a tripartite arrangement. Doors were single panel, solid wood with a dark stained

Figure 196: Detail of historical Underwood drawing of guest room, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 197: Historical overall view of guest room 210, c. 1930s. Note ceiling light fi xture at center of room and stencils around connecting door. (Source: Radanovich, Yosemite Valley, 91.)

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January 2011 closet doors are in a doubled confi guration and have mirrors mounted to the interior.

Lighting Th e pendant bowl-type fi xtures in the guest rooms are replacements.

Some rooms also have recessed can lights in the soffi ts over entries.

Special Features Stencils are painted on the wood transoms above the guest room doors. Some original “Tyrolean” cabinetry remains but has been modifi ed; cabinet doors that had decorative stencils have been painted. Newer built-in cabinets are located in modifi ed closets.

Summary of Changes As noted above, guest rooms have been remodeled and modifi ed at various times. Notable remodeling or refurbishment campaigns occurred in 1946 aft er the naval use of the building, in 1962 when guest room doors were modifi ed with panels for soundproofi ng and door hardware was refurbished, and 1976 when guest room windows were replaced. In 1988-90, the installation of a new HVAC system resulted in lowered soffi ts and the modifi cation of closets in 40 guest rooms. Painted gypsum board soffi ts have been added over many of the entry doors. Most fi nishes have been modifi ed with multiple paint layers.

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

(Source: Th e Ahwahnee Yosemite’s Grand Hotel, 55.)

Figure 198: Historical overall view of guest room 501, c. 1930s. Note the “Tyrolean” cabinet at left and the stencil over the closet door. (Source:

Radanovich, Yosemite Valley, 92.)

Figure 201: Overall view of guest room 501, 2010.

(Source: ARG)

Figure 199: Historical overall view of guest room 330, 1943. (Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113940)

Figure 202: Overall view of typical guest room, 2010.

(Source: ARG)

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Guest Bathrooms in Main Building

Historic Description Like the guest rooms in Th e Ahwahnee, guest bathrooms were treated simply with practical fi ttings. Underwood drawings and historical photographs illustrated original bathroom layouts which consisted of a tub located parallel to the outside (hallway) wall, a toilet on the opposite wall, and a wall-mounted basin centered in between.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Floors in the bathrooms were tiled with individual 1x1 square tiles set in decorative patterns of contrasting colors. Th e walls were plaster above a tiled wainscot with a wood accent trim. Bathroom walls and ceilings were integrally colored plaster. Samples have revealed that the color palette of the plaster walls and ceilings in some bathrooms, specifi cally in the bathrooms in rooms 326 and 401, was deep yellow. Bathroom ceilings had ventilation grilles.

Openings and Doors Each bathroom had one door opening from the bedroom. Doors were single panel, solid wood with a metal grille at the lower portion.

Lighting Original single-bulb fi xtures were mounted over the medicine cabinets and sinks.

Special Features Recessed medicine cabinets with mirrored wood doors were located above the wash basin.

Current Description Although the layout and form of guest bathrooms has not been signifi cantly altered, the fi nishes have been replaced or modifi ed.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Bathroom fl oors and wainscots are tiled with replacement 1x1 mosaic tiles;

fl oors have decorative geometric patterns and contrasting color tile at the perimeter. Wainscots are tiled with a decorative band in contrasting color.

Th e upper portions of the walls are plaster and have painted fi nishes. In the

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

(Source: Radanovich, Yosemite Valley, 93.)

Figure 204: Detail of historical Underwood drawing of guest room bathroom, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les) area of bathtubs and showers, the walls are tiled to the ceiling height. Above the sinks, vinyl covered panels are mounted over the plaster fi nish. Most ceilings are dropped gypsum board with wood panels that allow access to mechanical units. Th e few remaining plaster ceilings are painted.

Openings and Doors Each bathroom has one door opening from the bedroom. Doors are single panel, solid wood.

Lighting Bathroom light fi xtures are replacements.

Summary of Changes Although the layout and form of the rooms have not been signifi cantly altered, the fi nishes in the rooms have been replaced. Bathrooms do not retain the original fi xtures. Original tilework has been replaced. Most fi nishes have been modifi ed with multiple paint layers.

In 2008 the remodeling of guest rooms 116, 346, 421, and 607 included improvements to provide accessibility to bathrooms.

Figure 205: View of typical guest bathroom, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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January 2011

Second and Third Floor Parlors (Rooms 234 and 334)

Historic Description Th e orientation of the second and third fl oor suites at the south end of the south wing allowed for optimal sun exposure and prime views.

Both parlors were semi-circular in plan, connecting to two guest rooms with vestibules. Historically, the parlors were used as sitting or living rooms. Th e historic character of the parlors was light, airy and spacious.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl ooring was carpeted. Walls and ceilings and ceiling beams were of integrally colored plaster. Th e Second and Th ird Floor Parlors had a wood wainscot with a geometric decorative cutout pattern below the windows consistent with the hotel’s overall motif and wide baseboards.

Openings and Doors Windows were wood-framed casements. Doors were single panel, solid wood with a stained fi nish.

Lighting Th e parlors had wrought-iron chandeliers. Th e second fl oor vestibules had tin two-candle wall sconces while the third fl oor vestibules had wrought-iron one-candle wall sconces.

Special Features Th e parlor fi replaces were centered on the north wall. Underwood drawings illustrate Second and Th ird Floor Parlor fi replaces in a rustic style with granite surrounds that were more simply constructed than designed. Th e parlors had cast-iron radiators. Th e second fl oor suite had access to a private balcony.

Current Description Despite changes, the two sitting rooms retain historic character and are used as they were historically as suites connected to guest bedrooms.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors are covered with carpet. Th e plaster walls and ceilings are painted. Th e wood wainscots in the parlors are painted. Th e third fl oor bedrooms have stencils similar to other guest rooms. Stencils in the second fl oor rooms are non-historic.

Openings and Doors Windows are replacements. Th e wood doors, door frames, and trims are original and remain in original historic locations.

Lighting Th e sitting rooms retain their original historic chandeliers. Light fi xtures in the bedrooms and bathrooms are non-historic and consistent with other guest rooms.

Special Features Th e Second Floor Parlor fi replace has a brick hearth, brick and wood surround and wood mantel. Th e wood elements are painted white. A wrought-iron grille with a pair of doors rests in front of the fi replace.

Th e Th ird Floor Parlor fi replace has a brick hearth with a large half-round wood edging. Th e fi rebox is of brick, laid in a chevron pattern.

Th is fi replace does not have a surround, but has a decorative metal grille. Mounted above the fi replace, a large wood shelf spans the wall.

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

(Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 121 M 822)

Figure 207: Historical overall view of Th ird Floor Parlor, looking southeast, 1943. (Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113980)

SECOND FLOOR

Summary of Changes Similar to all hotel guest rooms, the parlors have been remodeled and modifi ed at various times but signifi cant changes have been minimal.

As at all other guest rooms, the windows are replacements. Finishes have been painted. Th e fi replaces have been modifi ed with the addition of the grilles.

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January 2011

Sixth Floor

Historic Description Th e sixth fl oor had two distinct and dissimilar uses during the period of signifi cance: as a space used for entertaining and, later, as a private apartment. Designed as a public space for special events, the sixth fl oor was comprised of the spacious L-shaped main room, two covered balconies, and back-of-house service areas. Passenger and service elevators and the main stair rose to the sixth fl oor. Th ough referred to as a roof garden on the Underwood drawings, the main spaces were not open-air as the term “roof garden” implies. Instead the sixth fl oor was always sheltered by a roof and enclosed with walls and windows. Th e covered balcony on the east was open-air and enclosed with wood railings. Unlike log railings at other balconies, this railing was constructed of more highly fi nished wood members.

A second covered balcony, narrower in width, had a shed roof and was enclosed with walls and casement windows. Th is balcony spanned most of the north side. An open balcony with concrete balustrade was located on the Elevator Penthouse above, which was accessed by a steep metal stair at the covered balcony.

Th e sixth fl oor was converted to an apartment for Don and Mary Curry Tresidder shortly aft er the hotel was inaugurated. For over 40 years, it served as the Tresidder’s private residence until the death of Mary Curry Tresidder in 1971 when it was converted into guest accommodations.

SIXTH FLOOR

Figure 208: Historical view showing birthday celebration for Stephen Mather at the sixth fl oor covered balcony, July 1928. Note ladder to Elevator Penthouse balcony above at left of image. (Source: Sargent, Th e Ahwahnee: Yosemite’s Classic Hotel, 23.)

Figure 209: Interior overall view of room 603, originally the covered balcony, 2010. Direction is generally the same as photograph above. (Source: ARG)

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e sixth fl oor was originally fi tted with hardwood fl oors for the main space and concrete fl oors in other areas, including the balconies. Walls, sloped ceiling, and ceiling beams in the main space were rough textured plaster. Underwood drawings indicate that the entire perimeter of the main space was designed to have a wood-paneled wainscot with a geometric decorative cutout pattern similar to the material at guest rooms 234 and 334 as well as the Registration Lobby.

Centered on the south wall and fl anked on each side by three casement windows was the fi replace. It was designed to be the focal point of the room and it was located directly opposite the entrance.

Th e service spaces, a pantry and small service kitchen, were clustered at the northeast corner of the fl oor. On the east wall of the main space was located a vertical wood plank service door with vision light, which was similar to those in the Elevator Lobby, and it led to the service area. Another door of vertically oriented planks with overscaled strap hinges was located at the east wall and it led to the large covered balcony.

Openings and Doors As the main point of entry, the north wall of the main room had two openings for the elevator doors on the east, doors to the service hallway and main stair at the center, and a large squared opening leading to the northwest corner of the room and the enclosed balcony beyond. Th e central doors were vertical plank doors with overscaled strap hinges.

Window openings in the main space included the three openings on either side of the fi replace on the south wall, three openings on the east wall, and eleven openings on the west wall. Th roughout the main space, all windows were glazed casements with leaded cames in a chevron pattern. Th e operable transoms above were similarly glazed and leaded.

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January 2011

Information on the conversion of the space to the Tresidder apartment, its design, layout and materials, is limited. Partition gypsum board walls and dropped ceilings were introduced to create living spaces including a bedroom, living room, and wood paneled Library at the southwest corner. Th e covered balcony was converted to the Sun Porch requiring the infi ll of the exterior wall openings a window wall of operable glazed panels. Th e northern balcony was converted to a bathroom. Th e service hallway north of the elevators became a small kitchen for the apartment. It remains unclear if all spaces on the sixth fl oor were dedicated to the Tresidder apartment.

Lighting No information has been found regarding the light fi xtures associated with the original public use. During the Tresidder period of use, two brass chandeliers were located in the Library, and it is assumed that other lighting was located elsewhere although information is not available to substantiate this.

Special Features Th e Underwood drawings feature a large-scale granite fi replace with an overscaled granite keystone, rustic in style, designed for use in the roof garden. Th e fi replace was not constructed as drawn. Instead, the fi replace was built with a simple cast-stone surround, a brick fi rebox and hearth, and cast-stone hearth extension.

Underwood drawings also noted a metal staircase which led from the covered balcony on the east to a fl at balcony above it, south of the Elevator Penthouse. Th is metal, ladder-type stair is visible in a historical photograph.

Current Description Th e sixth fl oor is now comprised of an elevator lobby, corridor, and guestrooms 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, and 607. Th e original service kitchen contains television equipment (CATV). Th e 1970s conversion to guest accommodations required the introduction of new materials, fi xtures, and fi nishes for function.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors are carpeted throughout except at the elevator lobby, CATV room, and the bathrooms. Th e elevator lobby has slate tiles.

Bathroom fl oors are tiled. Th e CATV room fl oor is covered with vinyl composition tiles. Th e Sun Porch has slate tile accents at the perimeter with carpet tile in the center.

Exterior walls and remaining original interior walls are plaster. Most other interior walls are painted gypsum board. In room 602, the Library, walls are wood paneled with built-in bookcases on either side of the entrance door. Th e west and south walls of room 603, originally the covered balcony, is a wood-framed screened wall and a window wall of operable glazed panels.

Th e ceilings in the guest rooms have been lowered and are painted gypsum board. Th e CATV room and the bathroom in room 605 have suspended lay-in ceilings.

Openings and Doors Doors to guest rooms are generally solid wood, vertical plank doors with the exception of the wood double doors to room 602. Th e wood paneled door between the elevator lobby and the corridor leads to Rooms 602, 604, and 605. Th is door has a narrow operable panel south of the door within the same opening. Some doors retain original fi nger plates and knobs. Other entry and closet doors were installed aft er the period of signifi cance.

Th e existing historic leaded and glazed casements and transoms remain in their original historic locations. A limited number of replacement windows in a variety of types have been installed.

Lighting Most light fi xtures were installed aft er the period of signifi cance with the exception of the two historic brass chandeliers mounted below circular mechanical grilles in room 602. Recessed fl uorescent fi xtures are located in the bathroom in room 605 and the CATV room.

Special Features Located in room 602 at the center of a wood paneled wall, the original fi replace is a squared opening with an enriched cast-stone surround. It does not have a mantel. It does not signifi cantly project beyond the wall plane which has been covered in wood paneling.

Summary of Changes Th e service elevator originally opened on two sides to service spaces on the north and directly into the main space on the south.

Th e cantilevered steel balcony at the northwest corner, accessible from room 605, was added aft er the period of signifi cance.

Th e sixth fl oor interiors were remodeled on multiple occasions including in 1943, 1946, and 1970 when the space was used as the private Tresidder apartment. Th e sixth fl oor has been used for guest rooms since 1971. Th e sixth fl oor interior was again refurbished in 1996 and new projects for it are planned. As may be expected for guest room spaces, the fi nishes have been consistently modifi ed. Th e installation of new mechanical systems required lowered soffi ts. A limited number of replacement windows have been installed but all historic leaded windows remain. Baseboards, door frames, window trims and trim moldings vary throughout the sixth fl oor. Hardware is a mix of historic and non-historic.

Figure 210: Detail view of wainscot in Registration Lobby, 2010. Original interior elevations show the perimeter of the sixth fl oor main space paneled with a decorative wood wainscot similar to the wainscot in the Registration Lobby. (Source: ARG)

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January 2011

Figure 211: Historical overall view of sixth fl oor Library while used as a private residence, date unknown. (Source: Yosemite National Park Archives, Slide Collection, photographer unknown)

Figure 215: Overall view of sixth fl oor Library showing the recently uncovered original wood fl oor, 2010. (Source: ARG)

Figure 213: Detail view of original plaster ceiling remaining above the existing ceiling on the sixth fl oor, 2010. Note the textured plaster and color diff erentiation between the fl at surfaces and the plaster faux beams. (Source: ARG)

Figure 216: Exterior view of leaded windows at room 607 (lower left ) and south wall of room 603 (at right), originally the open-air covered balcony, 2009. Note prominent raft er ends. (Source: ARG)

Figure 214: Overall view of sixth fl oor Library, room 602, originally part of the main dance fl oor space, 2009. Note original design for the south wall fi replace on the following page. (Source: ARG)

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

(Source: Yosemite National Park Museum, 113955)

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January 2011

Figure 217: Historical Underwood elevation of the sixth fl oor roof garden, a public space, looking south, 1926. Note wainscot and the style, scale, and materials of fi replace. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 218: Detail of historical Underwood fl oor plan of sixth fl oor, 1926. (Source: Yosemite Facilities Branch fi les)

Figure 219: Current fl oor plan of sixth fl oor, 2010. (Source: ARG)

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January 2011

Storage Areas

Historic Description Large storage areas were located near the core of the building on the second, third, and fourth fl oors of the hotel. Smaller storage areas were located on the second and fi ft h fl oors. Storage areas were also built in the central portion of the attic spaces on the third fl oor of the east wing and the fi ft h fl oor of the south wing.

Th e fl oors of these rooms were concrete, and the fl oors and ceilings were plaster. Each room had a wood stile and rail entry door, usually with a metal grille in the bottom rail, similar to the typical bathroom doors in the guest rooms.

Current Description All of the storage areas are still serving their original historic use.

Floor, Walls, and Ceiling Th e fl oors are the original concrete, and they are usually painted. Th e walls are painted plaster with wood base trim. Th e ceiling is typically painted historic plaster, although many of the large storage rooms have soffi ts constructed of other non-historic materials.

Openings and Doors Th e historic wood stile and rail entry door is still extant…