The community of Casper understood that once a piece of history is destroyed, it is gone forever. Seeing the crumbling terracotta facade, the cracked marble floors, and the broken stained-glass windows, the community knew something must be done to save the historic Natrona County High School. Rallying around the mission statement of “this place matters,” the years-long effort to preserve Wyoming’s first education center while creating a 21st-Century learning environment began to take place.
The Natrona County High School Historic Renovation and Addition presented incredible construction challenges. These included removing one-third of the historic concrete structure while keeping the remaining structure intact, installing new foundations in the historic theater, installing a new elevator shaft through the existing concrete structures, and using swing stages suspended from the roofs in the Casper wind to complete the masonry and terracotta restoration.
Today’s students enjoy a reconstructed school that reflects a bright future with lively colors, balanced daylight, and durable, handsome finishes. The protected courtyard, coupled with the multi-story commons, bring vitality to daily activities energizing the landmark building. The reconstructed school continues to serve as a memorable campus, balancing a deep history of place with the vibrant future education.
