Wild Notions: Preservation of Historic Buildings in Oregon Wilderness

There is a common misperception that historic sites cannot be maintained once they are included in a wilderness designation. This conflict ultimately does a disservice to both heritage and wilderness resources. To that end, this thesis provides a baseline inventory of all known historic buildings managed by the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon wilderness, along with a set of condition assessments that direct attention towards specific maintenance needs. This study demonstrates how preservation projects can be applied in wilderness and further encourages the Forest Service and its partners to value and sustain these historic places. Ideally, the agency will continue to protect wild places, but in a manner that sustains connections to communities that once lived and worked within these landscapes. The physical acts of restoring and visiting these historic sites offer an unmatched opportunity for the public to engage and understand the paradoxical, intertwined relationships between people and wilderness.