The renovations of the guest rooms in the East wing of the Old House section (the section that faces Old Faithful geyser) have been completed. Here are some of the changes and improvements now in place:
---The old floors have been removed and replaced. Dark stained floorboards are now visible around the perimeter of each room, while carpeting is attached to the center. The floors now do not creak when walked upon.
---The boards of the walls were numbered, disassembled, and reassembled so that updated wiring could be concealed and sheetrock insulation added for greater soundproofing between rooms .
---The ceiling was lowered slightly so that piping from sprinkler systems could be hidden .
---The old, yellow 1940s-era sinks have been removed and new coppertop installations with an inset washbowl and retro hot and cold water fixtures have been added. The washbowl is reflective of the original room setup 100 years ago, which used a water pitcher and washbowls in each room (running water was not used in the rooms at that time) .
---Recastings of period-style radiators are now being used, heated with hot water rather than steam. The present radiators operate quietly without the hissing and clanging that most guests of the first 100 years would have remembered from original steam radiators. Temperature controls give the visitor the ability to regulate heat when it is turned on. (As previously, heat is still turned off and on for all room radiators by inn staff through a central control.)
---There are now multiple electric outlets along baseboards.
---Each Old House room features a mirror placed in a frame made of original flooring that was removed in 2005.
---The windows were reglazed, though not replaced.
The lobby appears to be in place and ready for another 100 years of use. As mentioned in earlier reports, these changes include the following:
---A stronger foundation has been put under the main floor--unseen by the visitor, but significant for improved structural stability of the building.
---Concealed steel reinforcements added for greater stability, including under earthquake conditions and heavy snows.
---A recessed area added around the fireplace, in keeping with the original design of the Old Faithful Inn .
---The old square box speakers removed and replaced with less obtrusive speakers.
---An old, suspended circulating heater near the entrance to the gift shop area has been removed.
---The Pony express snack shop has been redesigned, and new, retro public restrooms were added nearby .
---The registration desk has been expanded in size, and now includes the information desk .
---The old information desk near the entrance to the dining room has been replaced by a desk for dining services .
---Maple flooring has been replaced with much lighter hardwood flooring .
---Rugs reflective of the early Native-American-style rugs original to the Inn have been installed in the lobby.
At the time of this report, only reshingling of the roof was being done. Other exterior work has been completed and the overall exterior appearance has changed little except for the addition of 8 flagpoles to the roof, the number that was used originally.
