Cliffs Ranger Station, AZ 2023
Preservation Projects
Cliffs Ranger Station, AZ 2023
Preservation Projects

Cliffs Ranger Station, AZ 2023

Cliffs Ranger Station, AZ 2023

Walnut Canyon National Monument is as rich in history as it is beauty. Come restore one of Arizona’s first ranger cabins just outside of Flagstaff, AZ! 

PROJECT PARTNER: National Park Service

SESSION DATES: May 14-19

PROJECT SUPERVISOR: Daniel Ensalaco!

CREW LEADER: Sarah Mees!

Project Site Description & History

Hidden inside the Walnut Canyon National Monument is one of Arizona’s oldest surviving log structures and a rare example of hog-trough log framing. Built in 1904, the Ranger Cabin (originally known as the Cliffs Ranger Station) is significant as the first headquarters and museum in what is now Walnut Canyon National Monument. The Ranger Cabin served as the administrative center and visitor entry point to the area until the current visitor center was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1941.

HistoriCorps invites you to join us in Walnut Canyon National Monument for a week of finish carpentry and window sash repairs. Visit the National Parks Service website to learn more about the history of the area and the ranger station.

Location and Logistics

SESSION DATES: May 14-19

Please plan to arrive at the campsite no earlier than 5pm and no later than 7pm on the first day of your session.

LOCATION: Located roughly 20 mins east of Flagstaff, AZ. We will commute to the project each day and do a short hike to the ranger cabin.

We will camp a short distance away and commute daily to the job site. Low overhead clearance is require due to trees. Tents, truck campers, campervans, trailers, and a few short RVs 25′ feet and under are welcome. Hookups and showers will not be available and the ground may not be perfectly level. Dogs are not allowed at this project.

WEATHER:  Anticipate highs in the upper 60s and lows in the upper 30s. Weather conditions may be rainy, cloudy, or sunny. Volunteers are responsible for checking weather conditions before their session begins, and packing appropriately.

ABOUT VOLUNTEERING: HistoriCorps projects are free for volunteers! HistoriCorps will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to the campsite, sleeping equipment, work gloves, clothes and boots, and other personal gear.

Scope of Work

SCOPE OF WORK DIFFICULTY:

HistoriCorps is committed to educating and training volunteers in preservation skills, with an overarching mission of inspiring a preservation ethic in all those involved. Learning and working alongside expert HistoriCorps field staff, volunteers and applying the traditional skills necessary to restore the Cliffs Ranger Station.

  • Carpentry repairs to siding, doors, and trim
  • Window sash rehabilitation

Please note: Tasks vary by day and by week, depending on a variety of factors including: weather, project priorities, previous groups’ work, and more. Though it is likely you will get to learn and practice most or all of the above tasks, it is not guaranteed. The higher percentage of the scope a particular task is, the more likely you will get to practice it.

Sign Up!

We’re thrilled this project has inspired you to volunteer!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Visit our Job Calendar to see if a project session is full.

*All registrations submitted to projects at capacity will be automatically added to our waitlist.*

You will know your registration was successful when you receive a confirmation email. Contact volunteer@historicorps.org for assistance.

HistoriCorps does not charge for its volunteering projects. HistoriCorps relies on donations to continue engaging volunteers to save significant historical sites across America for generations to come. Your donation of any amount will make an incredible difference! Increase your impact – make a generous gift today.

Volunteer Logistics, Policies, and Advice

We’re so glad you’re interested in joining this project! If you’re new to our community, review the Volunteer FAQ first! Please note the following logistics and policies:

  • HistoriCorps is committed to keeping our volunteers, staff, and project communities safe.  Read our Covid protocols here (updated August 2022).
  • Volunteering with HistoriCorps is free! We will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite or shared indoor lodging. Dinner is not provided on the first night.
  • Volunteers are responsible for bringing their own gear, work gloves, sturdy work clothes and boots, and appropriate sleeping equipment. Check the average temperatures before you start packing – the nights and mornings may be colder than you anticipate! Then, read this advice about how to stay warm when tent camping in colder places.
  • Campsite accessibility varies by project. Some projects can accommodate tents only; others can accommodate small RVs. Please review the project site description above for more information, and if you’re still not sure, email volunteer@historicorps.org for help.
  • If this project does not offer showers, you might want to consider bringing a solar shower or research other methods to clean up after the work day.
  • Volunteer crew sizes generally range from 4-8 volunteers, with two HistoriCorps staff that lead and train volunteers in the work.
  • Safety is one of HistoriCorps’ top priorities, and volunteers can contribute to a safe working environment by ensuring their physical fitness is adequate for the work. See above for this project’s scope of work and difficulty level. Please, call us if you are not quite sure if a project is a good fit for your skills or fitness level. We may be able to suggest a project more suitable and enjoyable for you.
  • Hard hats, eye protection, ear protection, gloves are standard personal protection equipment (PPE) required on all projects. Hard hats must be worn at all times on the project site, unless working in a designated safe space. Field staff will train volunteers on correct use of PPE.
  • Dogs are generally allowed to accompany their humans in project campsites (actually, we love having dogs join us around the campfire!). Dogs are not permitted on the job site for everyone's safety. HOWEVER: HistoriCorps also follows the rules and regulations of our project partner. If the project partner does not permit dogs onsite then HistoriCorps is no exception. Please ask HistoriCorps or the project partner directly if you have any questions about whether Fido is welcome.