Service Programs

#16154 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AT MONTANA'S HISTORIC REEDER'S ALLEY ON LAST CHANCE GULCH
June 21-27     (Helena, MT)
July 14, 1864 and a “last chance” gold strike by desperate prospectors in a small mountain stream evolved into Montana’s third major gold rush. The stampede was on and the rough gold camp known as Last Chance Gulch was born; the boomtown eventually matured into the Treasure State ’s capital city of Helena . Lewis Reeder envisioned and built Reeder’s Alley – a series of 30 one-room apartments, a hostelry – to house miners, drifters and dreamers who came west to make their fortunes.

 The Montana Heritage Commission manages the restored miner’s village, the most complete remaining block of Helena ’s gold rush era, but lacks funding and manpower for needed restoration and preservation projects. Work projects include sanding and painting window frames, wooden stair and walkway railings, and wooden pavilion; stone walkway restoration; replacement of limestone chinking in cabin logs; rechinking brick walls in alley buildings; gardening/landscaping and reproofing a small building. MHC staff oversees work projects and provides history presentations. A docent-led tour at the Montana Historical Society Museum and in Helena ’s historic mansion district offer further insight into bygone times. Enjoy an evening BBQ and interpreted boat ride at the Missouri River’s Gates of the Mountains, a Lewis and Clark trail site.  

#12810  SERVICE: HISTORIC RESTORATION IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
July 5-11    (Gardiner, MT)
Yellowstone National Park contains over 800 historic structures, 200 of which the Park Service is responsible for preserving. Lack of adequate funding offers opportunities for volunteers to assist in providing maintenance for buildings used buy both park visitors and employees. Work here with the Park’s Historic Architect and Maintenance Division on restoration projects including painting, staining and making needed repairs at the Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful and Canyon areas. Rehabilitation of a picnic area on the Continental Divide comprises above tasks and grounds keeping. One project to assist Park Managers with removal of invasive plants in the Mammoth region; another to stain backcountry patrol cabin. Uneven terrain at work sites. Most work projects and field trips require walking; some up to one mile on established trails. Enjoy Old Faithful Inn tour and naturalist-led field exploration at thermal basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lamar Valley . Consider issues facing restoration efforts in Yellowstone . Bring binoculars, camera; scopes provided. Portions of the costs for this program may qualify as a tax-deductible gift. Please see Registration page for more information.

#8888  SACAJAWEA  INTERPRETIVE, CULTURAL AND EDUCATION CENTER SERVICE PROJECT    

July 12-18  (Salmon, ID)
The Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Educational Center commemorates Sacajawea and her people, the Agaidika Shoshone. The Center’s education programs and displays interpret the significance of Sacajawea’s role with the Corps of Discovery and aspects of their journey through Lemhi County. Work projects include moving and reassembling a small log building for use in the Outdoor School; interpretive signage and trail work; landscaping, staining and painting tasks; replacing a wooden floor in the garden shed; and various community garden projects. The BLM, Idaho Fish and Game, USFS and City of Salmon provide materials, guidance and supervision for all work projects. All skill levels welcome. Lodgings and work site at 4,300’. Work site is 71-acre park located on the Lemhi River just east of Salmon, Idaho. Interpreted field trip to Lemhi Pass traces the Lewis and Clark Trail. Float trip on the Salmon River. Portions of the costs for this program may qualify as a tax-deductible gift.  

#16536 TRAINS OF THE OLD WEST: A SERVICE PROJECT IN NEVADA CITY, MONTANA     September 8-14

Leave a gift for future generations by helping the Montana Heritage Commission rehabilitate one of the state’s precious cultural resources. Projects include reassembling a water tower, winterizing and cleaning the steam engine and building flooring for the train barn. Discover the gold rush history of Alder Gulch and “Fourteen Mile City,” once the most populated center between Minneapolis and San Francisco. Montana Heritage Commission staff provides lectures and living history, focusing on 19th-century Montana history with tales of life on the railroad, gold strikes, Vigilantes and frontier justice. Interpreted walks among Alder Gulch’s 200 historic buildings include entry into a preserved, fully stocked emporium and newspaper office.  Lodgings and work site at 5,800 feet. Work site is located across the street from lodgings. Walk up to 0.5 mile on uneven terrain; periods of extended standing. Portions of the costs for this program may qualify as a tax-deductible gift.

All service programs are activity level 3, unless otherwise noted

Activity level descriptions