WASHINGTON, DC—Montana—where the Forest Service has much of its roots. It just makes sense that preservation work happens here too.

Based in Missoula, Montana, a one-of-a-kind Forest Service preservation group revitalizes historic buildings across the National Forest System. The Region 1 Historic Preservation Team, the only historic building preservation team in the agency, is led by Cathy Bickenheuser and Jackson Poppen. Although a powerful duo, they’re assisted by other preservation specialists, employees and volunteers during their assigned projects.

The Historic Preservation Team only renovates National Register listed or eligible buildings currently in use or with proposed functions. If your forest needs someone to consult about preservation work, this team is who you call. While the group focuses on revitalization, they also train others in preserving historic buildings, using traditional tools and conducting building assessments. Over the years they’ve become so popular that they have very limited availability, but they attempt to visit every forest in Region 1 every three to four years.

Bickenheuser said that their projects require copious background work.

“We go out and work on the building; and when I say we work on the building, we literally pick up all the tools, our camping gear, everything that we're going to need, and we go to that structure or group of structures for anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. And we do the actual physical labor to repair and preserve that building.”

It’s not just the physical work, she continued. “And then as part of it also we have all the required paperwork that goes with it. So, there's always reports and background research. Figuring out what styles of buildings are and what is needed. So, in addition to knowing all the craft skills, there's also knowledge of the local history needed, niche local history, as well as figuring out how to preserve the integrity and character of each building.”

“Then we also have to consider building codes, safety, accessibility, traditional tool skills,” she concluded, “because some of this is done in the backcountry where there you can only use hand tools.”

Some of the preservation team’s projects this year include:

• Lochsa Historic Ranger Station, Bear Mountain Lookout Cabin, and Elk Summit Ranger Station, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho
• Skookum Butte Lookout, Lolo National Forest in Montana
• Sage Creek Cabin, Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana
• Ford Schoolhouse, Flathead National Forest in Montana
• Assessments on several historic structures on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho, Panhandle National Forest in Idaho, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana, and Kootenai National Forest in Montana

At the Lochsa Historic Ranger Station on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, the team worked on a visitor center and ranger’s house. They added two upper roof purlins, framing pieces that support the roof decking; two sill logs, pieces of wood that form the base window; a spandrel log, a panel that fills the space between the top of a lower story window, and the sill of an upper-story window, four porch columns and a new porch deck. The team also reinforced the floor and building piers and re-laid the mortar under two logs. The ranger’s house at the site received a new set of front porch steps. For this part of the project, the group partnered with the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests employees and Framing our Community nonprofit organization. The project was funded through the Great American Outdoors Act.

When she attempted to list all her work and techniques, Bickenheuser struggled to capture it all—every project comes with its own successes and challenges. But no matter what, her team perseveres with smiles on their faces. Through lugging equipment and sleeping on the ground, the group displays their commitment to bettering the public lands we manage.

Check out the Region 1 Historic Preservation Team SharePoint site for more information.