Winning entry in Bristlecone Pine art competition. Watercolor painting by Mary Ann Thomas.

New Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center (Press Release)

 Fact Sheet

A Little History

• Replacing the old “Silver Bullet” visitor, a log cabin visitor center was opened to the public in 1996.  It was destroyed by arson fire on September 4, 2008.
• The new visitor center is opening to the public with a Grand Opening Celebration on September 1, 2012.

A Few Facts

• The new 2,550 square feet Visitor Center is fully solar-powered and is LEED certified.
• It was funded through a line item in the President’s budget in 2009, at $2.2 million dollars.   The Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service supplemented that with other appropriated funds for a total project cost of $2.5 million dollars.
• Building Architect – Shah Kawasaki Architects in Oakland, California
• Building Construction – AMG and Associates in Santa Clarita, California
• Exhibit Design and Fabrication – Rosene Creative Services in Jasper, Georgia
  • Mural – Larry Eifert
• Cabinets, Counters and Mantle – David Kuznit of DK Woodworks
• Inside the Visitor Center, in various stages of completion:
  • Interpretive Exhibits
  • A 28 seat theater featuring the Bristlecone Pine Film – Living History
  • An art gallery wall
  • A research library
  • A Bookstore operated by the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association
  • Above the fireplace mantle an original watercolor painting by Mary Ann Thomas – the winner of the Bristlecone Art competition