Aramark Historic Preservation Center unveiled near Bryce Canyon National Park

PANGUITCH — On Tuesday, the 4,000 square foot Aramark Historic Preservation Center was unveiled near Bryce Canyon National Park.

According to Sasha Day, the president and CEO of Aramark Destinations, the facility is equipped to facilitate the restoration of historic structures in national parks and on public lands. 

“We want to make sure we have the expertise and the skills in-house to serve the needs of our national parks,” Day said. 

Day explained that Aramark Destinations is the first national park concessionaire to open a center like the Historic Preservation Center. 

.@TravelAramark is leading the development of a Historic Preservation Center centrally located to support renovation projects at Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon North Rim and other public lands.

🔗: https://t.co/Feko4x99fC pic.twitter.com/U2muA8w0gK

— Aramark Corporation (@Aramark) May 2, 2025 

“Through our National Park Service contracts, we’ve always had responsibilities around historic preservation,” Day said. 

In the past, Aramark Destinations has hired subcontractors to help with specific projects. Now that they’ve unveiled the Historic Preservation Center, they have more in-house expertise.

“The center and [its] equipment can really help us deliver on our objectives and frankly be more self-reliant,” Day said. 

Aramark Historic Preservation Center to help train the next generation

Additionally, the Aramark Historic Preservation Center will provide apprenticeships and internships to help the next generation of preservationists. They’ll develop skills in carpentry, masonry, painting, and restoration. 

“The idea is that this center will be a central location where we can [work on] the preservation of our assets throughout the park services, do hands-on training alongside of the National Park Service and their historic training center, and then support our site-based carpenters so that they can learn the trade,” Matt Webber, the direction of construction for Aramark Destinations, said. 

Webber said he hopes the center can help young people get involved in the craft of restoration. 

“Right now, in the construction industry, we do not train enough skilled labor and skilled tradesmen,” Webber said. “[It] can really develop young kids to gain interest in preservation as well as learn the trade so they have a long career.” 

What happens next? 

Now that the Aramark Historic Preservation Center is open, crews will complete restoration work on cabins on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. 

 

“[On] day one, they are doing some significant work at the historic cabins,” Day said. 

The team will be working on nearly 500 windows and doors. The project includes “very detailed” carpentry work. 

Going forward, the team at the Historic Preservation Center will complete any work the company is assigned in Bryce Canyon National Park. 

Day believes the new center will help the company accomplish its goals faster. 

“It’ll be a space where we can bring in folks who work at parks [that] maybe aren’t right around the corner, who can come and train,” Day said. “I think it’s going to really provide … a great opportunity to better engage with our various partners. It can really become a center of excellence.” 

According to Aramark’s website, this project is one way it is working to serve the National Park Service’s mission. 

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