Great American Outdoors Act funding enabled deferred maintenance work at Fort Larned/NPS

Roof issues, cracked pointing on historic stone work, and crooked doors and stuck windows recently were addressed at Fort Larned National Historic Site in western Kansas.

The GAOA funding also supported the completion of structural repairs to two porches. The historic structures whose preservation was made possible with these funds includes the Quarter Master, Commissary/Arsenal buildings and the Commanding Officers’ Quarters. Overall, 13,000 square feet of fire-retardant cedar shingles were replaced, 33 windows and 12 doors were repaired, and 15,000 square feet of wood surfaces were painted.

Read about the dark chapter of Fort Larned's history.

These preservation efforts were led by the GAOA funded Maintenance Action Team, comprised of skilled craftspeople from the National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC). They were also supported by a youth crew from the Student Conservation Association (SCA). HPTC recruits, trains, and employs people in traditional historic restoration and preservation techniques and trades. 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.

“We are grateful for the expertise that the MAT team brought to Fort Larned. With their skill and the funding available from GAOA, Fort Larned’s historic structures are well-preserved and continue to tell the fascinating story of this 1860s army post,” said acting Superintendent Cassie Branstetter.

Infrastructure funding from GAOA is part of a concerted effort to address the extensive deferred maintenance and repair backlog in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA's Legacy Restoration Fund provides up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to the National Park Service. These funds make significant enhancements in national parks, ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors.