Central Sierra Historical Society

The Museum Project A Status Report
After many months of intense planning with architect Lew & Patnaude, Inc., construction manager Mauldin-Dorfmeier, Inc., and exhibit designer Delphi Productions, Inc., CSHS is ready to begin moving dirt on the Museum site. The Museum will be located on a 19-acre parcel donated by Southern California Edison several years ago, next to Camp Edison in Shaver Lake . The Museum will encompass several phases of design and construction. At total build-out, it will include approximately 25,000 square feet. CSHS is currently applying for a Conditional Use Permit and NEPA/CEQA clearance from Fresno County . Infrastructural site work will be performed during the second half of 2005 IF permits are received timely. Site work will include clearing (logging and brush removal) within the road prisms, parking areas, and building site; grading and drainage work; installation of the water system; and connection to all other utilities (sewer, power, gas, telephone/internet, etc.). Roads and parking areas will be graded and base rock emplaced, but paving would be deferred. Phase 1a, to be undertaken between March 2006 and May 2007, includes the construction of Wing 2, paving of roads and parking lots, and initial signage as well as the fabrication and installation of exhibits in the Phase-1 portion of the museum building. The Phase 1 facility will function as a stand-alone museum until Phase 2 is completed. Interpretive space will include a main gallery on the first floor, along with orientation exhibits in the lobby area. The Museum Gift Shop will remain on the first floor. The preliminary estimate to complete this portion of the project is $2.8 million, for which CSHS has secured $2.5 million in cash and pledges. The Rotating Exhibit Gallery and Multi-Purpose Room will be located on the second floor during Phase 1, and will be finished in '06-'07 as funding permits. Phase 1b includes construction of the Main Hall, Entry Portal, and amphitheater, and will be included in the work done in '06-'07 as funding permits. The Main Hall will contain exhibits that preview the coming Forest , Alpine, and Foothill/Valley Galleries. The Entry Portal will function as a gathering place for tours (school visits and adults), and will showcase the landscape model of the central Sierra. Phase 2, will be constructed as funding permits and includes the construction of Wing 1 (Alpine, Forest , and Foothill galleries), and final signage. Exhibits will be fabricated and installed in the Phase-2 part of the museum building. Phase 3 includes the completion of on-site trails and outdoor exhibits, and possibly the reallocation of some space (moving partitions) within Wing 2 after Wing I is finished.

After many months of intense planning with architect Lew & Patnaude, Inc., construction manager Mauldin-Dorfmeier, Inc., and exhibit designer Delphi Productions, Inc., CSHS is ready to begin moving dirt on the Museum site. The Museum will be located on a 19-acre parcel donated by Southern California Edison several years ago, next to Camp Edison in Shaver Lake .

The Museum will encompass several phases of design and construction. At total build-out, it will include approximately 25,000 square feet. CSHS is currently applying for a Conditional Use Permit and NEPA/CEQA clearance from Fresno County . Infrastructural site work will be performed during the second half of 2005 IF permits are received timely. Site work will include clearing (logging and brush removal) within the road prisms, parking areas, and building site; grading and drainage work; installation of the water system; and connection to all other utilities (sewer, power, gas, telephone/internet, etc.). Roads and parking areas will be graded and base rock emplaced, but paving would be deferred.

Phase 1a, to be undertaken between March 2006 and May 2007, includes the construction of Wing 2, paving of roads and parking lots, and initial signage as well as the fabrication and installation of exhibits in the Phase-1 portion of the museum building. The Phase 1 facility will function as a stand-alone museum until Phase 2 is completed. Interpretive space will include a main gallery on the first floor, along with orientation exhibits in the lobby area. The Museum Gift Shop will remain on the first floor. The preliminary estimate to complete this portion of the project is $2.8 million, for which CSHS has secured $2.5 million in cash and pledges. The Rotating Exhibit Gallery and Multi-Purpose Room will be located on the second floor during Phase 1, and will be finished in '06-'07 as funding permits.

Phase 1b includes construction of the Main Hall, Entry Portal, and amphitheater, and will be included in the work done in '06-'07 as funding permits. The Main Hall will contain exhibits that preview the coming Forest , Alpine, and Foothill/Valley Galleries. The Entry Portal will function as a gathering place for tours (school visits and adults), and will showcase the landscape model of the central Sierra.

Phase 2, will be constructed as funding permits and includes the construction of Wing 1 (Alpine, Forest , and Foothill galleries), and final signage. Exhibits will be fabricated and installed in the Phase-2 part of the museum building.

Phase 3 includes the completion of on-site trails and outdoor exhibits, and possibly the reallocation of some space (moving partitions) within Wing 2 after Wing I is finished.