Balanced Rock Foundation and the National Park Service have joined forces to restore an important historic resource in El Portal and create a community space for educational seminars, classes, workshops, and events that enhance the Yosemite experience. The El Portal School House, built in 1930 by the Mariposa County School District, is situated above town on an acre of flat, wooded land. The building is spacious, aesthetically pleasing, and architecturally representative of its time. As the primary grade school for the Yosemite community until 1963, the school house was designed to accommodate many students and is large, with high ceilings, wooden floors, expansive grounds. In 1969 local church groups assumed management and converted the space into a chapel and preschool . Despite efforts to address maintenance over the past 40 years, the building has slowly deteriorated and is in need of immediate attention. At this time, Balanced Rock Foundation is seeking funding to begin historic restoration of this commnity landmark.

Host to over 3 million visitors a year, the dramatic landscape of Yosemite cannot help but stir one's heart and soul. Balanced Rock Foundation seeks to create opportunities for learning, creativity and reflection, building upon the natural receptivity and curiostiy awakened in visitors to Yosemite National Park. The vision for future use of the school house includes gatherings that have educational or spiritual underpinnings, as well as any meetings that benefit from the quiet, secluded location of the building and grounds. Once restored, the school house will be open to park service personnel, Balanced Rock Foundation, community members, and park partners, including the Yosemite Institute, Yosemite Association, Yosemite Fund, the Church of Christ, USGS, and UC Merced. Currently there is no space available for such use that is attractive, expansive and peaceful. The restored space and surrounding grounds will be coooperatively managed by the NPS and Balanced Rock.

The bulk of the restoration work will involve stabilization of the foundation and replacement of rotting support beams and siding. The rest of the building's major structural components are in relatively good shape, including the roof, plumbing, sewer, and electrical systems. Restoration of the interior will involve removal of impermanent walls and paneling and carpeting that was installed in the 1970's. Most of the interior work will be cosmetic in nature in order to restore the historic integrity of the building, including a large meeting room with an accordian divider, 12' high ceilings, cafeteria space and kitchen. According to the Yosemite National Park historical architect, it is most cost effective to proceed with restoration now, rather than putting it off any longer and allowing further deterioration to occur.