Ice Age National Scenic Trail Office and Garage Repaired by Maintenance Action Team

CROSS PLAINS, WI - Funding through the Legacy Restoration Fund was utilized for rehabilitation project of Ice Age National Scenic Trail office and garage. It was a key priority of the park to rehabilitate and stabilize the garage and the office, which was once a home.

The work crew meticulously repaired broken doors, replaced siding, repaired trim, painted, stained, and tuck pointed the exterior of the office and garage.

The work was performed by Maintenance Action Team (MAT) composed of Jim Teague, Adam Heeren, Joe Riley, and Shawn Thompson. Several geographically based MATs travel to national parks to train and work alongside park staff to complete small, but critical, maintenance rehabilitation and repair projects on historic structures. MATs enable the National Park Service to complete projects that require knowledge and competency in traditional trades in a consistent and cost-effective manner.

"We are thankful for the outstanding work of the dedicated MAT teams and the partnership with Historic Preservation Training Center," said Superintendent Eric Gabriel. "Utilizing Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund to address an overdue maintenance project of this significant resource enables the park to better serve visitors to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and Glacial Passage Area."

A portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail administrative office was built in 1864 by the Lowe family. In the 1950's and 1970s, Dr. Wilkie and Mrs. Wilkie, added on mid-century modern (Prairie Style) addition to the home. In 2020, the NPS completed remodeling the once 3-bedroom, 1-bath home into an office space and operations were moved out to the Glacial Passage Area.