Oregon Caves Chateau undergoes restoration

The Jefferson Exchange

(Photo courtesy of the Oregon Caves)

The Oregon Caves are probably well-known to most Southern Oregonians as a fun day trip to visit the forest and to explore the caves, an activity known as spelunking.

The Chateau at the Oregon Caves National Monument, completed in 1934, may be less well-known. However, it is a designated National Historic Landmark and has been described as a national treasure akin to the more famous chateaus at other National Parks.

The Chateau is currently closed for large-scale rehabilitation, even as cave tours continue. Reconstruction projects can be both expensive and environmentally challenging. The Friends of the Oregon Caves, who are supervising this effort, are doing their best to ensure that the rehabilitation is as environmentally benign as possible.

Sue Densmore, Executive Director of Friends of the Oregon Caves, along with Sierra Heimel, a geologist and cave specialist with the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, both join the Exchange.

Sue Densmore in the studio with Charlie Zimmerman, JPR Associate Producer(Natalie Golay, JPR Senior Producer)

Katie Wendt, Assistant Professor at Oregon State University and Sierra Heimel, Geologist and Cave Specialist with Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, are undertaking climate history research in the caves themselves, using the stalactites and stalagmites as research subjects. The project seeks to develop reconstructions of temperature conditions during the warm period between 130,000 and 180,000 years ago that preceded the Wisconsin Glaciation. We will also learn about this research project.