Historic Virginia State Park Cabin Renovation Project Unveiled

Apr 3, 2023

PMA Architecture is excited to announce the completion of the first phase of renovations to the camping cabins at Douthat State Park and Fairy Stone State Park for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). PMA partnered with Stemann | Pease Architecture; mechanical engineers from Vansant & Gusler Consulting Engineers; structural engineers from Speight, Marshall & Francis; and civil engineers from Timmons Group to renovate over 50 historic Civilian Conservation Corps-era log and concrete masonry cabins at Douthat State Park and Fairy Stone State Park.

The cabins being renovated are associated with development of the Virginia State and National Parks during the Works Progress Administration era of the 1930s. The project completely renovated the cabin exteriors and interiors and improved the functional arrangements of the kitchens and baths. Renovations include the historic log cabins at each park which were built in 1936-37. "Great care in design and construction was taken to appropriately strip away much of the later 20th century floor and wall coverings and design new kitchens and baths that revealed the log walls," says architect Jeff Stodghill. The renovations provide 21st century campers with modern accommodations while carefully integrating new baths and kitchens appropriately into the historical context. At each park, two cabins have been designed to be under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Nancy Heltman, Visitor Services Director for the Virginia State Parks Department of Conservation and Recreation recently announced the opening of the newly renovated guest cabins at Fairy Stone State Park in a message to park guests. “We are excited ... that the first phase of cabin renovations has been completed. The results are beautiful! We have worked hard to keep the character of the original facilities but make sure they will last at least another 85 years,” she shared.

The project involved extensive use of PMA's precision, high-speed laser scanner to accurately document existing conditions and to create the building models from which renovation plans were developed. Major project goals included the review and analysis of cabin floorplan types, the development and implementation of modifications and upgrades, and the use of updated materials that preserve the unique historic character.

Key improvements include plumbing, HVAC and electrical upgrades; kitchen and bathroom upgrades; and exterior siding, roof and window replacements. Log cabin renovations involved repair and rehabilitation to the exterior and interior, including new kitchens, baths, and building systems. Concrete block cabin renovations included entirely new exterior cladding and interior finish replacement in addition to the new kitchens, baths, and building systems.

With work wrapping up on the first phase of construction at Douthat State Park and Fairy Stone State Park, PMA Architecture is now embarking on a similar project with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to upgrade the guest lodging offered at First Landing State Park and Westmoreland State Park. PMA’s design and marketing team recently traveled to Douthat State Park and Fairy Stone State Park State Parks to stage and photograph how a newly renovated historic log cabin could look for campers visiting those parks.