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me Duuaing now known as Panorama is a far cry from the rustic resort hotel and tea room built in the 1920s. The hotel was razed in 1935 but the tea room remained open until the late 1950s. In 1958, the Park Service built a “modem” restaurant and gift shop that operated until a few years ago. Built of concrete block and in a “cookiecutter style” popular in the 1950s, it is now more of a rundown facility than an architectural treasure. While some $4.8 million was appropriated for its restoration, the Park determined that even if enough funds were found to complete the project, there would not be enough funds for staff to operate the facility.
It should be noted that the Park conducted a professional “Impact” assessment of the site required by law that determined the building was not an historic structure. Moreover, the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office concurred that there would be no impact of a cultural nature at the site and that the building “does not have architectural merit.” With this evaluation and the Park’s stark budgetary reality, SNP superintendent Cartwright has recommended that the building be demolished.
In its place, Cartwright has outlined the Park’s plan to rehabilitate the site but not preserve the present building:
• Demolish the existing Panorama building and gas station restrooms.
• Construct new restrooms.
• Replace the water line.
• Install a septic system.
• Design and install an outdoor interpretive kiosk with orientation panels.
• Rehabilitate and revegetate the lower parking lot.
These improvements would be designed with a “space” for the future sighting of a Civilian Conservation Corps Museum/Visitor Center when funds become available.
Given the current budgetary straight-jacket the Park finds itself in, coupled with a dramatic decrease in visitors to the Park overall and the concomitant lost of sales income, this may be the only prudent option available.
Still, there are some who argue with some appeal that putting the old building in mothballs until there is money might be a better alternative. The Park feels just as strongly that this would in the end be wasted effort that could better be spent on helping the park survive in these difficult times.
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