Twin Lakes Pavilion, PA 2023
Preservation Projects
Twin Lakes Pavilion, PA 2023
Preservation Projects

Twin Lakes Pavilion, PA 2023

Twin Lakes Pavilion, PA 2023

In the backwoods of the Allegheny National Forest you’ll find the Twin Lakes Pavilion, a CCC era structure finally getting the attention it deserves. 

PROJECT PARTNER: Allegheny National Forest

SESSION DATES: July 23-28 and July 30 – August 4

PROJECT SUPERVISOR: TBD!

CREW LEADER: Karina Burbank! 

Project Site Description & History

The pavilion at Twin Lakes Recreation Area is a rustic wood structure built by, you guessed it, the Civilian Conservation Corps. Originally, the Twin Lakes Recreation area was owned by the McKean Chemical Company who produced wood alcohol using a splash dam to augment water levels. The damn was converted by the CCC into a popular swimming impoundment fed by the Hoffman Run – a trout filled stream popular to local fisherman.

The pavilion, bathhouse, lower campground, and original picnic area were all constructed by crews from the CCC in 1936 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal that expanded conservation efforts in the United States while putting young men to work toward preserving our country’s natural resources. During this time, recreation areas like the one at Twin Lakes were sprouting up all over the country and shifting the public’s ideas of community spaces as well as federal land management. Over 4,500 recreational areas were built by CCC members between 1922 to 1942, most in need of care and restoration.

HistoriCorps invites you to join us as we rehabilitate the Twin Lakes Pavilion so future generations can make new memories in a place built to last. Please visit the Twin Lakes Recreational website for more information.

Location and Logistics

SESSION DATES: July 23-28 and July 30 – August 4

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 10 minutes from the quaint town of Kane, PA .

MAP to TWIN LAKES PAVILION

  • ACCESS:    Tent camping only Site is RV/trailer accessible

Tents, truck-campers, campervans, trailers and RVs will have access to our campground. Showers are unavailable and dogs are allowed but must be leashed.

WEATHER:  Anticipate highs in the upper 70s and lows in the 50s. 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 Twin Lakes Pavilion:

  • Roof and framing stabilization
  • Log repairs and replacement
  • Cedar shake roof repair and replacement

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:

  • 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.