One of Sacramento's biggest tourist attractions -- Sutter's Fort State Historic Park -- will be closed to the public later this summer. It's part of a major restoration project.
California State Parks and the Friends of Sutter's Fort say this will be the most extensive renovation at the fort since the 1890s, about 50 years after John Sutter built the fort. In that first renovation, the exterior adobe walls were replaced with more sturdy brick. In this new renovation the walls will get a $500,000 overhaul.
"Which would repair mortar, repair cracks and apply a breathable paint to them which would help with moisture," says Matt Bellah of California State Parks. "If you've been by the fort in midtown it's a large, brick and adobe white building that is in much need of a paint job and it'll be a much-needed difference once it's painted."
Bellah says this new renovation project also includes restoring the east and south gates, installing outdoor lighting and improving pathways.
"We also have seismic retrofitting of the central building," says Bellah. "The central building at the fort, the only original building left. It dates back to the 1840's. And this will really make sure that hopefully it'll continue to stay there for another 175 years."
Bellah says money for the $1 million project comes from both state funds and private donations.
To accommodate the renovation work, the fort will be closed for one month starting on July 13.
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