Historic Huts; Remove, Repair or Restore?

Abstract

The Antarctic, and in particular the Ross Sea region, contains some irreplaceable Heritage sites that include Scott and Shackleton's huts at Cape Evans and Cape Royds. The huts are visited by many people each year both from national programmes and from tourist companies operating in Antarctica. They are a visible reminder Of the heroic era, a time when humans strived to conquer the hostile Antarctic environment. They have stood for nearly 100 years. Their life span has undoubtedly been extended by parties Of dedicated workers who have repaired visible damage where appropriate using limited funding donated by individuals who have an interest in preserving the huts for posterity. On 25th March 2003, one hundred years after Shackleton returned to Lyttleton from his first visit to Antarctica on Scotts Discovery expedition, the Antarctic Heritage Trust (AHT) launched a conservation initiative to restore the hut Shackleton built three years later at Cape Royds During centenary celebrations before assembled international media and supporters, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne launched the Trusts fundraising appeal for 10 million pounds to restore four historic huts and their contents. The project strategic plan is based on the comprehensive restoration Of the huts and their contents over multiple seasons. In launching the appeal, Princess Anne presented a donation Of E 70,000 from the British government representing the British Antarctic Territory. The conservation plan raises many interesting questions about the huts • Should many millions Of dollars be spent restoring the huts to their former state or should we simply leave the huts to decay naturally and eventually be lost from the landscape? Who should pay? Whose responsibility are the huts? Who will benefit? Would the money be better spent on Antarctic Science that will address fundamental issues concerning the future Of our planet? The Trust pointed out that the conservation Of Antarctic heritage would not mean there would be an influx Of tourists to the continent. In fact, the Trust does not believe that it is in the best interests Of the fragile environment within the huts for tourist numbers to increase. The Antarctic, and in particular the Ross Sea region, contains some irreplaceable Heritage sites that include Scott and Shackleton's huts at Cape Evans and Cape Royds. The huts are visited by many people each year both from national programmes and from tourist companies operating in Antarctica. They are a visible reminder Of the heroic era, a time when humans strived to conquer the hostile Antarctic environment. They have stood for nearly 100 years. Their life span has undoubtedly been extended by parties Of dedicated workers who have repaired visible damage where appropriate using limited funding donated by individuals who have an interest in preserving the huts for posterity. On 25th March 2003, one hundred years after Shackleton returned to Lyttleton from his first visit to Antarctica on Scotts Discovery expedition, the Antarctic Heritage Trust (AHT) launched a conservation initiative to restore the hut Shackleton built three years later at Cape Royds During centenary celebrations before assembled international media and supporters, Her Royal Highness Princess Anne launched the Trusts fundraising appeal for 10 million pounds to restore four historic huts and their contents. The project strategic plan is based on the comprehensive restoration Of the huts and their contents over multiple seasons. In launching the appeal, Princess Anne presented a donation Of E 70,000 from the British government representing the British Antarctic Territory. The conservation plan raises many interesting questions about the huts • Should many millions Of dollars be spent restoring the huts to their former state or should we simply leave the huts to decay naturally and eventually be lost from the landscape? Who should pay? Whose responsibility are the huts? Who will benefit? Would the money be better spent on Antarctic Science that will address fundamental issues concerning the future Of our planet? The Trust pointed out that the conservation Of Antarctic heritage would not mean there would be an influx Of tourists to the continent. In fact, the Trust does not believe that it is in the best interests Of the fragile environment within the huts for tourist numbers to increase.