Members of the Carrie Deer Restoration Team recently met at the Carrie Furnaces site to review materials, processes and schedules for the initial steps of restoring both the Carrie Deer and its foundation building. Team Leaders Ron Baraff, Rick Rowlands and Eddie Opat made final determinations on the foundation building needs and initial steps in stabilizing the sculpture.

Ron is ensuring that the integrity of the site, historical components of the structures, and interpretative heritage elements are maintained throughout the work to be completed on this landmark site. He is also overseeing the project, construction, restoration and volunteer involvement. A few elements will be repurposed on the site, including this breaker box in the foundation building. 

Rick is acquiring materials, consulting on the structural stability issues and coordinating equipment use and worker/volunteer schedules. Clearing materials from the foundation building for eventual gallery use will begin in a few weeks. Materials removed will be sorted according to historical significance, potential reuse and those that can be recycled as scrap. A crane will be required to lift elements through the now-open ceiling to facilitate installation of the new roof.

Funds raised through our successful SAVE the CARRIE DEER Kickstarter campaign and the SAVE the CARRIE DEER documentary premiere event have made the stabilization of the sculpture and installation of new gallery rooms in the foundation building possible. Our Kickstarter Antler Reward was also created at the recent Casting the Iron Garden event - rewards for Kickstarter donations are now being delivered to our backers!

Our thanks to all those who have helped along the way, donated to the campaign and events, or pledged volunteer hours to assist in making this all possible. We'll continue to provide updates on the restoration process through completion.