The oldest intact structure in Big Bend National Park is getting much needed protection thanks to a preservation project funded by Big Bend Conservancy. Rather than destroy the Alvino House or leave it to the ravages of exposure, the park committed to actively preserve what was left of it. The Alvino House is the best example of vernacular architecture in the park, according to project leader and Center for Big Bend Studies archaeologist David Keller. Using whatever materials were available, including cottonwood tree trunks as ceiling beams and newspaper as wallpaper, its original inhabitants made do with what they had. (Story on page 1)
