Significant remodeling to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park will keep the center closed to the public through the winter.

Among the work to be done on the project that starts Monday is installation of an evalator between floors to accommodate disabled visitors, rebuilding the restrooms, and connecting the exterior balcony to the visit center entrance plaza.

Park rangers will still provide information to visitors from a temporary office trailer in the front parking lot of the visitor center.  And the park film will be shown from that location, and items from the Rocky Mountain Nature Association bookstore will be available.   Hours are currently 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will change to winter hours on October 23, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Back in 2001 the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center was designated a National Historic Landmark, the nation’s highest designation for historic properties.  The visitor center was dedicated in 1967. 

The building that the visitor center is housed in was designed by Taliesen Associated Architects, Ltd.  It reflects design principles typical both of the National Park Service Modern style developed by the “Mission 66” program that began in 1956, and Wrightian principles of design advocated by the apprentices who began Taliesen Associated Architects after Frank Lloyd Wright’s death in 1959.  The building is a unique example of Wrightian design in a national park setting.

Due to this project, there will be no evening programs in the auditorium throughout the winter.