Gypsy Cabin Rehab 2020 - Passport in Time
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Current Projects > 2020
Washington - Colville NF
Closed! Gypsy Copper Cabin Restoration, Phase I
The Gypsy Copper Camp Powderhouse (foreground) and Cabin (background) sit in a small clearing near the Salmo Priest Wilderness
WA-4444
July 13-16, 2020
Volunteers must commit to entire session
The Gypsy Copper Cabin is part of an historic mining complex located on Colville National Forest that dates from around 1900, and was used to store blasting powder and dynamite. It is currently used and maintained by the Forest as an interpretive site. The site includes the main cabin, a smaller powder house used in the past to store blasting powder and dynamite, and the mine adits that are located nearby across the creek. The focus of this year’s project will be on Gypsy Cabin, which has had a rough few years exposed to the weather and endangering its existence. In fact, during a recent heavy snow, its roof collapsed! During our PIT project, we will inventory, disassemble, and store this historically important cabin under cover until reassembly is possible. The removal and disassembly of the cabin is necessary to access and repair the cabins failing foundation, which is a drystone flagstone foundation made of local stone. It is expected this project will take only one week, but it will lay the groundwork for restorations in subsequent years. And, in those times “off the clock,” you will have opportunity to take in a lot of scenery – we’ll be in a beautiful location deep in the mountains along Sullivan Creek – and there is much to see and do out here. So, join us this summer as we “rebuild” Gypsy!
Number of openings: 4
Special skills: Previous historic restoration, carpentry/building/foundation, and/or general maintenance experience helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 16 years old; applicants under the age of 18 must apply with a parent or guardian; guardian MUST submit a separate application and plan to attend
Facilities: We will be camping for the duration of the project in an area near Gypsy Meadow; water, chemical toilet, other limited amenities; a secondary location can be arranged if needed at the East Sullivan Lake Campground; improved amenities in a formal campground suited for RV and trailer use; advanced notice is necessary if volunteers wish to use this location, as the FS will need to make arrangements with the campground to pay for your stay (if budget allows). If not in the project budget, stay at East Sullivan Lake will be at volunteer expense; daily transport to and from the work location and campgrounds provided by FS; Metaline Falls, Ione, and Salmo, B.C. are all full-service communities with hotels/motels, restaurants, and a full range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for personal camping equipment/lodging, meals, and daily transportation to and from campground (if opting to stay off-site)
Nearest towns: Metaline Falls; 15 miles; Ione; 25 miles; Salmo, B.C., ~40 miles
Applications due: May 4, 2020
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