BEETLE ROCK EDUCATION CENTER
Located on the edge of Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park, this building is one of two last remaining visitor facilities from the original village built in the early 1900's. In 2001, the Sequoia Natural History Association began repairing the building and created the Beetle Rock Education Center. Through the years of SNHA’s operation, the building has served as a meeting space, nature center, SNHA member gathering site and a SFI course equipment storage space.
In 2012, we closed the Beetle Rock Education Center to evaluate its future use and to save its operation funds for the parks’ higher priority needs. Surprisingly, the building costs the association almost $10,000 a year to operate. Costs include utilities, supplies, maintenance, and annual repairs. Does SNHA need the building? The answer is “no”, but it stands as an important historical site of what once existed in Giant Forest. We realize that if the building does not get put to use, its importance will slowly fade away. In the summer of this new year, SNHA will re-open the Beetle Rock Education Center and offer new, fun, fee-based programs to help offset the expenses. Programs include historical re-enactments and authentic barn dances giving park visitors another way to connect to the historical significance of the building and the parks. As said before, this does not come without its costs. If you would like to help SNHA and the revival of the Beetle Rock Education Center, click here to make an online contribution or call 559-565-4222. We appreciate your help.