THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 9, 1995 TAG: 9502090445
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY LANE DEGREGORY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROANOKE ISLAND LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
If you have a hammer - or know how to use one - the National Park Service could use your help.
Outer Banks builder Carl ``Pogie'' Worsley and a team of local volunteers started constructing a three-bedroom house near Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Jan. 13. They had hoped to have the 1,450-square-foot structure under roof within a day. But weather and other problems prohibited them from completing the dwelling, which will house Park Service rangers.
At 9 a.m. today, crews plan to resume work on the one-story home.
``We can use all the volunteers we can get to finish this up,'' Worsley said Wednesday from his Nags Head office. ``If they can tote plywood, nail siding or just swing a hammer, we can use their help. Heck, I'll even give 'em hammers if they don't have 'em. We're hoping to get this all closed in by Sunday.''
From 9 a.m. until dark - today, Friday and Saturday - Worsley said he will supervise volunteers at the Roanoke Island building site. Some will help complete the sloping roof and tack tar paper atop the rafters. Others will erect wooden walls.
``We'll get everything up - all the doors and windows sealed in this weekend,'' said Worsley. ``We want it water tight so we can finish inside this winter.''
Built primarily with donated labor and materials, the house will replace an aging trailer that is home to employees of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Roanoke Island house is the second one in the nation constructed under a federal project for new Park Service dwellings. Congress appropriated nearly $24 million for new Park Service employee housing this year. Half of that money will be used to replace 659 trailers in parks throughout the country. The first structure erected under the project was a log dormitory at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore covers 30,319 acres from Oregon Inlet through Ocracoke Inlet. About 90 permanent employees and 100 seasonal assistants work for the National Park Service on the Outer Banks. The federal agency provides housing for about one-third of its permanent staff and for more than half of its seasonal workers.
Much of the park service housing desperately needs repair. Rust has eaten through metal roofs. Floors have rotted, allowing snakes and mice access. Seasonal employees are bunking in trailer living rooms. One permanent ranger lived in a cabin with 10 square feet of living space per family member.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, who helped spearhead the Park Service construction project, said he wants to replace 33 trailers and four houses at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. With the help of the National Association of Home Builders, local construction supply companies and volunteers from across the Albemarle area, he said he wants to build 37 low maintenance homes for Outer Banks park rangers.
``It would be nice to have this whole home finished in time to house some of our summer employees,'' National Park Service spokesman Bob Woody said from his Roanoke Island office. ``We knew this house couldn't happen in a day. And we're glad the volunteers are going to help finish it.'' MEMO: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
From 9 a.m. until dark - today through Saturday - local builders need
volunteers to help construct a three-bedroom home on Roanoke Island. The
1,450-square-foot structure is at the Fort Raleigh National Historic
Site, and will replace an aging trailer. National Park Service employees
will live in the one-story house.
Nags Head builder Carl ``Pogie'' Worsley, who is supervising the
project, said people do not need experience to work on the home.
Volunteers should dress warmly and bring a hammer and nail bag if
possible. Other supplies will be provided.
For more information, or to volunteer time or supplies, call Worsley at
(919) 441-2327.
ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by DREW C. WILSON, Staff
Volunteers started working on this three-bedroom home at Fort
Raleigh National Historic Site in January. Today, work resumes.
by CNB