HELENA – The Biannual Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony were held at the Myrna Loy Center on Friday January 18.
The awards recognize the people and projects that contributed to significant preservation of Montana’s history.
More than 30 locations were added to the National Register of Historic Places over the last two years including the Lewis and Clark Caverns Historic District in Jefferson County and the Stone Hill Springs Prehistoric District in Broadwater County.
State Historic Preservation Officer Mark Baumler said it’s important that Montanans preserve these historic locations before we no longer have the chance.
“Historic sites are nonrenewable, once their gone they’re gone for good,” said Baumler, “So it’s important that we recognize them and preserve them.”
Also recognized today was Randy Hafer for his Outstanding Contributions to Historic Preservation, Kristi Hager for her Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation and Dr. Maire O’Neill Conrad for her Outstanding Service to Historic Preservation.
Conrad, a professor and Montana State University, was honored for her efforts in recording and articulating architectural history of Montana farm and ranch buildings.
She said the award was a great honor but not one she could have done alone.
“It’s not just my doing, this is thanks to hundreds of hours of student work too” explained Conrad. “We now have a fantastic archive of the buildings and they’re now starting to get into the national archives.”
A full list of the awards and the sites that have been added to the National Register of Historic Places can be found on the Montana Historical Society’s website. https://mhs.mt.gov/Shpo/NationalReg/Preservation-Awards
