SCOPE OF WORK.docx

SCOPE OF WORK - RFP 70CNR-S2563

Historic Context and Historic Structure Reports for Three Ranches in Spring Valley State Park

1. Within the boundaries of SVSP are the standing buildings and archaeological remains of three small ranches. All were constructed in ca. 1870 by Mormon families during the early Euro-American settlement of Spring Valley.

2. MILLET RANCH (CA. 1870)

The Millet Ranch is the northmost ranch of the three. It is on the west side of Spring Valley at the base of hills and a volcanic tuff formation. The site includes an original tuff masonry house, a loafing shed, a log barn, other outbuildings, fences, and corrals. Open meadows and fields stand to the east, along with possible fence lines or check dams. In 1933 the Millet Ranch was sold to Buck Hollinger, who operated it as the 7L Ranch (Oliver et al. 2018:192). Several of this ranch’s buildings are now used as the headquarters of SVSP; others are unused.

3. MOODY RANCH (CA. 1870)

The Moody Ranch is between the Millet and Walker Ranches. It is on the west side of Spring Valley at the base of tuff cliffs to the north and northwest. The site includes a ranch house made of tuff quarried from the nearby cliffs, as well as a privy, dugout, root cellar, fences, and corrals. An interpretive plaque on the house states that the ranch was established by George Moody in the 1870s, after which ownership passed to the Hollinger family. It continued to be used, primarily as a summer home, until the 1970s. NDSP acquired the property in 1991 (NDSP n.d.). The house is unoccupied but has been restored; most other buildings are ruins.

4. WALKER RANCH (CA. 1870)

The Walker Ranch is the southernmost ranch. It is at the base of a small valley on the west side of Spring Valley. It includes a ranch house made of local tuff, three masonry outbuildings, fences, and various farm implements. Open meadows and fields are to the east of the ranch, along with what may have been a historic check dam. The buildings are unoccupied and all but the house are ruins.

An HSR is prepared for many purposes but generally, as defined in National Park Service Preservation Brief 43, “A historic structure report provides documentary, graphic, and physical information about a property’s history and existing condition. Broadly recognized as an effective part of preservation planning, an HSR also addresses management or owner goals for the use or re-use of the property. Finally, it records the findings of research and investigation, as well as the processes of physical work, for future researchers” (Slaton 2005). The components of an HSR typically include historical research, existing condition survey, measured drawings and record photography, materials investigation and testing, and archaeological investigations, if necessary, all of which lead to an evaluation of significance, selection of a treatment approach, and development of preservation and management recommendations, which may range from stabilization to the development of interpretive materials. To fulfill the purpose of this project, which is to apply the previous context titled, “A Ranching and Farming Context for Lincoln County, Nevada, ca. 1857 to 1934”, by identifying, evaluating, and preserving historic agricultural resources on public land in Lincoln County and to improve the visiting public’s awareness of archaeological resources in SVSP, the HSR for each ranch will include all of these components.

The components of the three HSRs will be developed in four tasks: Archival and Physical Research, Archaeological Survey, Condition Assessment and Pilot Stabilization, and Interpretive Material Development. As recommended by Slaton (2004), the resulting information will be organized in two sections for each HSR: 1) a narrative documenting the evolution of the building, its physical description, its existing condition, and an evaluation of its significance; and 2) a discussion of historic preservation objectives, strategies for treatment, and recommendations for specific preservation interventions (including recommendations for interpretation).

TASK 1: ARCHIVAL AND PHYSICAL RESEARCH

Document the historic buildings and structures at the three ranches through archival research and physical investigations to understand them within the broader context titled, “A Ranching and Farming Context for Lincoln County, Nevada, ca. 1857 to 1934”. Research primary and secondary archival sources to document the histories of the ranches and the families that owned and used them; also conduct informal oral interviews with knowledgeable area residents. Conduct record photography and create measured drawings of significant buildings and ruins to document construction chronology and patterns of use and change. Use established historic preservation technology and techniques to characterize historic building materials (paints, plasters, mortars, building stone, and wood/timber elements) to determine composition and identify material pathologies to make appropriate stabilization recommendations. Characterization and testing needs will vary from site to site, but may include wood species identification through microscopic examination of thin sections; in situ grading of wood to determine allowable design values; quantification of surviving wood cross section using a resistance drill; petrography, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) to determine the composition and physical characteristics of the mortar/plasters and building stone; and cross-section microscopy and fluorochrome staining to identify the type and color of the earliest paint layers. This will involve the collection of small samples, at least one of each building material per site, although the team will also make use of nondestructive methods (e.g., resistance drilling, indirect inspection using a videoscope, etc.) to the extent feasible. Combine the results of archival and physical research to document building and site history, construction chronology, building material and construction technology, and procurement patterns for building materials.

This task addresses Priority 3, “Development and Application of Archaeological Contexts” because it applies the research results presented in “A Ranching and Farming Context for Lincoln County, Nevada, ca. 1857 to 1934”and the evaluation guidelines developed in that context. The use of accepted preservation techniques to characterize historic building materials and understand their use on early agricultural properties in the county also addresses Priority 1, “Developing Science-Based Methods,” sub-priority 1.A, “Technology, Techniques, and/or Research within the Field of Archaeology.”

DELIVERABLES

Kickoff meeting, project work plan, quarterly progress reports, materials analysis results, relevant draft sections of each HSR (electronic copies for draft review). Deliverables are not contingent on results of other work or outside factors associated with this project.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

All material characterization will be conducted by qualified conservation professionals meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Historic Preservation Professional Qualification Standards for Conservation (Federal Register 1997:33714- 33715) and experienced in the assessment of historic stone masonry, plaster, paint, wood, and earthen architectural materials. Draft sections of reports will be reviewed internally as part of the project team’s quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) process and will be offered for one round of review by NDSP and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Generally, project design, methodology, and deliverables will comply with pertinent standards and guidelines, including the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) guidelines and standards, the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes (National Park Service 2014), and guidelines outlined in Preservation Brief 43 (Slaton 2005).

TASK 2: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Collaborate with NDSP and BLM to conduct an archaeological survey of areas associated with the three historic ranches in SVSP. Develop and submit a research design to guide fieldwork, which will involve archaeological survey and recordation of the defined areas, including archaeological sites and features, landscape features, and standing buildings and structures. Conduct a Class III inventory of up to 620 acres of state parks land; a general outline of the survey area is provided as an attachment but determine specific locations and configurations of survey parcels in consultation with the BLM and NDSP. Although the focus of the study is historic ranching in Spring Valley, record all prehistoric and historic archaeological resources identified during the survey, and discuss all aspects of the area’s prehistory and history to an appropriate extent in the HSRs. (A preliminary file search of the proposed survey area identified four prehistoric sites, although up to 16 sites in total are expected given the location along Meadow Valley Wash). Follow Guidelines and Standards for Archaeological Inventory (BLM 2012), conduct formal background research on the survey area in Nevada Cultural Resource Information System (NVCRIS) (and, if requested, in the records of the BLM Ely District and SVSP), record all sites on Nevada Intermountain Antiquities Computer System (IMACS) forms, and document standing buildings and structures on Nevada Architectural Resource Assessment (ARA) forms. Apply evaluation guidelines previously developed, as applicable, to assess site significance and NRHP eligibility. Analyze any diagnostic artifacts during fieldwork.

This task addresses Priority 3 because it applies the evaluation guidelines developed in “A Ranching and Farming Context for Lincoln County, Nevada, ca. 1857 to 1934”. It also addresses Priority 4, “Archaeological Identification and Evaluation Research,” by using archaeological survey to identify and evaluate archaeological resources, including historic agricultural resources, and to further the understanding of early farming and ranching practices and material culture in the county, as well as the nature of change through time.

DELIVERABLES

Research design; quarterly progress reports; fieldwork summary with preliminary GIS data; one draft and one final version of archaeological and architectural inventory report with Nevada IMACS and ARA forms as separable appendices (five hard copies and five electronic copies); draft versions of archaeological sections of HSRs (electronic copy). Scope of reporting contingent on research design and survey results.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Task 2 will follow the BLM’s guidelines (BLM 2012) as well as all SHPO guidelines and standards for archaeological and architectural inventory and reporting. Draft and final reports will be reviewed internally as part of the project team’s QA/QC process and will be offered for one round of review by NDSP and the BLM.

TASK 3: CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND PILOT STABILIZATION

Visually assess the condition of historic architectural and archaeological resources on the ranches, photograph typical deterioration conditions, and create a tabular summary of those affecting each resource. Identify causes of deterioration when possible and means of mitigating or removing them. Based on the condition assessment and material characterization results of Task 1, develop stabilization and repair recommendations for buildings or components currently threatened by deterioration conditions that, left unchecked, are likely to result in losses affecting resource integrity. Recommendations will be designed to stabilize ruins and buildings in their current state rather than restore or reconstruct them. Submit all recommendations to NDSP and the BLM for review and approval. Select one to two treatment areas that address deterioration conditions representative of those found over the larger site, conduct treatment testing as needed and apply pilot stabilization treatments; monitor after approximately 1 year. Pilot treatments may include consolidating and reattaching delaminated and flaking plasters and paints, masonry repointing, or wood repair using minimally invasive conservation materials and techniques. The goals of treatment testing and pilot treatment are to identify repair materials and techniques that achieve performance goals, to mockup repairs and evaluate levels of intervention, and to generate data that will be used for estimating larger-scale repair costs. Based on treatment results, the project team, in consultation with NDSP and the BLM, will evaluate the efficacy of proposed treatments and will refine them as necessary. Produce final stabilization and repair recommendations based on the results of pilot treatment.

This task addresses Priority 1, “Developing Science-Based Methods,” sub-priority 1.A, “Technology, Techniques, and/or Research within the Field of Archaeology,” by using established archaeological site conservation and ruins stabilization technology to assess, stabilize, and preserve historic buildings and structures in Lincoln County.

DELIVERABLES

Project work plan; quarterly progress reports; photographic and tabular condition assessment summary; stabilization and repair recommendations for historic buildings and structures, including ruins; fieldwork summary of pilot application of stabilization treatments, with associated documentation (such as photographs and data collection); draft versions of relevant sections of HSRs (electronic versions of all deliverables for draft review). Scope of reporting contingent on results of condition assessment, analysis, and testing.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

All condition assessments, treatment testing, and pilot treatments will be conducted by qualified conservation professionals meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Historic Preservation Professional Qualification Standards for Conservation (Federal Register 1997:33714-33715) and experienced in the assessment and treatment of historic stone masonry, plaster, paint, wood, and earthen architectural materials. Stabilization and repair recommendations will adhere to accepted and proven methods and materials for building conservation and ruins stabilization in the United States. All stabilization and repair recommendations will be submitted to the BLM and NDSP for review prior to any trial application. Draft and final reports will be reviewed internally as part of the project team’s QA/QC process and will be offered for one round of review by NDSP and the BLM.

TASK 4: INTERPRETIVE MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH

The project team will summarize the history of the three ranch sites developed in Tasks 1 and 2 (and any prehistoric sites documented during the archaeological survey, as appropriate) into interesting, reader-friendly informational material suitable for plaques and interpretative signs. The information will provide historic context for the sites and explain the uses and significance of specific resources. It will stress a conservation ethic focusing on awareness, protection, and preservation of the sites’ resources. The informational material will not exceed the equivalent of four pages of text and illustration for each ranch. The project team will also provide an expanded version of this informational material for use by NDSP in brochures and on its website for SVSP. All sections of the HSRs will be combined and finalized as part of this task.

This task addresses Priority 2, “The Development and Implementation of Public Outreach and Educational Programs for Archaeological Resources within Lincoln County, Nevada,” sub-priority 2.A, “Develop Interpretive Materials for Print or Web Based Distribution.”

DELIVERABLES

Quarterly progress reports; one draft and one final version of interpretive material for plaques or signs; one draft and one final version of web-based interpretive material; draft and final versions of complete HSRs that summarize research methodology and results, including site history and supporting documentation such as oral interviews, photographs, measured drawings, laboratory reports, and results of in situ testing (Part 1), as well as preservation objectives, strategies for treatment, and recommendations for preservation interventions (Part 2) (five hard copies and five electronic copies of each).

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Interpretive materials will adhere to the design standards of NDSP, and the project team will consult closely with parks staff so that the informational material can be easily incorporated into site management. Interpretive material will be offered to NDSP and the BLM and for one round of review. Interpretive material will be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The final HSRs will meet the National Park Service guidelines for historic structure reports outlined in Preservation Brief 43 (Slaton 2004).