Trevor Bresnahan

Boulder Cabin Project

2026

I had the privilege of working for 6 months at Shenandoah National Park, working on a preservation project for Boulder Cabin. The aim of the project was to preserve existing historical fabric and update facilities where applicable for modern usage as the Artist in Residence program housing.

Boulder Cabin, June 2026

After stabilizing the building, rebuilding the chimney, gutting the insulation and interior paneling, and pouring new piers, I became an intern, working on minor structural and major finishing elements of the building, including cleaning, gluing, oiling, installing, and salvaging material where possible.

Reclaimed wormy chestnut boards undergoing a linseed soap wash
Drying interior paneling
Gluing where necessary
Siding was custom cut and fit around new electrical and studs
Installation — pieces were cut on open and closed miters and secured with pin and finish nails
A panoramic view of the completed wall installation

I had the privilege of installing two casement windows for the first time.

Performing a dutchman repair to hide old electrical holes
The finished dutchman before oiling and blending
Many pieces required adjustments by planing or dutchmans
A replaced window sill
The door casing for the front door

After the building was stabilized, the lean affected the placement of the interior siding and position of the door. New casing had to be flush cut into the siding via oscillating and chiseled to account for the hardware. Casing shows existing wear due to being reclaimed.

Preservation efforts for the cabin continue as of the publication of this post. I played only a small, 6 month role in the massive effort; I developed skills in design, decision making, working with older wood, familiarity with power tools, elements to a building, and experience in finishing and rough processes.