Cascade County preservation award winners announced
The Great Falls-Cascade County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission annually recognizes and honors the people and projects that are making preservation happen in our community.
The Preservation Award reception is held annually as part of National Historic Preservation Month activities. This year’s theme is “This Place Matters.”
Four projects will be honored at the reception from 5:30-7 p.m. May 26 in the Missouri Room of the Civic Center, 2 Park Drive S. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Ellen Sievert, historic preservation officer at 761-6955.
The following award recipients will be honored: the Hotel Arvon Team, C.M. Russell Museum, the McGraw Building (Bob Milford) and Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art.
Hotel Arvon Team
The team responsible for the development of the Hotel Arvon will be honored for its work in returning the 1890 hotel to a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown. Arvon was one of five buildings that were subjects of feasibility studies completed through the Technical Assistance program organized by the Preservation Office.
The Arvon Block Development Venture group, comprised of Chuck, Gerry and Peter Jennings with assistance by Tom Nelson of D.A. Davidson Co., organized the finances for the historic tax credit hotel project that made the rehabilitation possible. The rehabilitation and restoration work on the hotel project performed by Dick Anderson Construction will also be recognized at the reception.
The Arvon Block rehabilitation has brought new life to the 100 Block of 1st Avenue South and the Preservation Commission particularly values the project because it supports the community vision for downtown revitalization in Great Falls.
C.M. Russell Museum
The C.M. Russell Museum will be recognized for a project completed last year to restore and paint the exterior of the Charles and Nancy Russell home, a National Historic Landmark.
Work was completed by Detailed Construction Company and Fernandez Wallcovering & Paint Inc. The 116-year-old frame residence displays an amazing level of original integrity and is a visual testament to the ability of original materials to persevere if properly maintained, according to HPAC.
McGraw Building
The Preservation Commission went to downtown Fort Benton for a storefront restoration project award. Former HPAC chairman Bob Milford purchased the McGraw Building on Front Street facing the Missouri River and is restoring it for his antique business. The building’s front was covered with contemporary brick, modern windows and an aluminum awning. His award-winning project uncovered the original, terracotta arch returning architectural integrity and design to the building. Built in 1912, it was originally the McGraw saloon. It became a theater in 1932 and entertained residents for thirty years until it was returned to retail use. Sophia Sparklin of Spark Architecture designed the project and Randall Reeve is the building contractor.
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art will be recognized for its west-side historic door replacement. New solid oak stile and rail doors were fabricated by Craftmaster Cabinets and fitted with appropriate brass fixtures, tempered glass windows and electric operators. The installation was completed by James Talcott Construction. The improvements were completed to ensure that the Square is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The project was completed using Community Development Block Grant funds which were matched by the Square Roots group and L’Heureux Page Werner Architects.