Construction crew from Cooperativa Santa Fe, our partners in Cuba.
US (in green) and Cuban mechanical experts set up the HVAC system.
Sample of conserved documents in the archival vault.
Samples of the Hemingway collection in the archival vault.
Samples of the Hemingway collection in the archival vault.
FVF Ribbon Cutting. President Gladys Collazo in white and Congressman James McGovern cut the ribbon to officially open the conservation center.
Dedication Plaque
The exterior of the completed Conservation Center at Finca Vigía.
Back view of the completed Conservation Center at Finca Vigía.
View of the completed wet laboratory at the Conservation Center.
Exterior view of the Conservation Center.
Exterior drain catch.
Inside the dry conservation laboratory.
Programming the thermostat to commission the HVAC system.
Checking electrical wiring in the conservation laboratory.
Determining where to position the external generator.
Installation of the HVAC system.
Reviewing mechanical systems.
Studying for final supply list for the conservation center.
Double concrete walls to ensure temperature and humidity stability to protect the documents.
Initial plumbing lines.
Tiling the wet lab.
Fixed windows are all installed.
Finishing up installation of the windows that open.
Shims are applied to hold the window firmly in place.
Ice and water shield wrapping is installed around the window sills to help keep moisture out.
Wet lab wall tiling is complete.
Roof tile edging.
Mortar shiming is required to maintain a positive slope to direct water off the roof.
Roof tiling is well underway.
Foundation inspection.
Roof inspection.
US and Cuban architects and engineers planning the building design
Mason works on concrete block wall.
Foundation and concrete block support walls.
Stucco is in place on some of the lateral support walls.
Ramps are put in place to move materials.
Materials ramp along side the building.
New Construction
The Need For A Restoration Center
Environmentally controlled archival storage of the original Hemingway documents at Finca Vigía does not exist. The conserved originals are stored in acid free boxes but they return to an environment that will lead to their destruction over time.
For a decade the Cuban government has wanted to build an archival storage center with wet and dry conservation laboratories… formerly known as the Taller…on site at Finca Vigía. The building was renamed the Restoration Center by the Consejo Nacional de Patrimonio — reflecting the many marvelous state-of-the-art technology within. Our architectural team and document conservators consulted on the design. However Cuban resources and materials were not available.
Over time, the humid environment in Cuba can be very destructive to documents, photos, and books.
Phase 1: Rough Construction
In 2014, the Finca Vigía Foundation, received permission from the Cuban and United States governments to embark on this unprecedented project. It would be the first time since 1960 that US building supplies were shipped to Cuba.
We began by creating a comprehensive materials list, pre-approved by both the US and Cuban technical teams and governments—which included everything from roof tiles, plumbing fixtures, to fine Japanese tissue paper, water colors, and pairs of scissors.
In June 2016 the first of three shipments arrived at Finca Vigía to begin the construction of the Restoration Center. The two shipping containers carried roofing materials, floor and wall tiles, hurricane proof windows, rough plumbing, and rough electrical. Chests filled with hundreds of tools, hard hats, safety gear, and safety posters were also sent.
Phase 2: Finished Construction
Prior to the shipment of Phase 2 materials, Caterpillar Inc. donated a skid steer loader to the project. The bull dozer arrived at Finca Vigía in May 2017 and was immediately put to use digging drainage ditches for retaining walls, and moving tons of stone, cement blocks, and other heavy materials.
In September 2017 a container filled with building supplies arrived in Cuba. This shipment contained the important HVAC equipment; a generator; finish plumbing, sanitation, and electrical supplies; interior doors; tools and more safety products—goggles, steel-toed construction boot, eyewash centers, and hard hats.
Construction will commence in mid-October when the US technical team arrives on-site.
Preparation for the third, and final phase, will begin shortly.
Materials needed to begin Phase 2 are ready to ship to Cuba.
Phase 3: The Laboratories
Conservation laboratory equipment and supplies comprised the final shipment. The modern laboratories are equipped bright lights, plumbing, fume hoods, light tables, suction tables, drying racks, cold storage, cabinetry, tables and chairs, and the many supplies needed to repair and stabilize the thousands of Hemingway documents.
In addition to building the Restoration Center, the U.S. construction crew provided workforce development, mentoring and training to Cuban tradesmen and women.
The building was dedicated March 30, 2019. The ceremony was broadcast live on Cuban television.
