Preserve Montana

The restoration crew was hard at work this winter and spring on the McMaster long barn, which was in high need of stabilization and repair. Part of the historic McMaster Ranch east of Helena, the barn was part of the family's business in repairing horseshoes and wagons along the Diamond City Stage Road at the turn of the 20th century.

In the project, the crew leveled out the roof line, plumbed the walls, repaired rotten historic posts with lap joints, and added strengthening lumber throughout the structure. Preserve Montana will return later in the year to reinstall the broken cupola and continue work on the site.

🏛️ Preservation in Action! 🛠️

Over the past two days, Preserve Montana and Old School Heritage Solutions brought together preservation enthusiasts from across Montana and beyond for the second hands-on workshop of our 2026 series: Historic Preservation Fundamentals.

Using the historic campus of the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena as their hands-on learning lab, nine participants gained practical skills in assessing historic buildings, evaluating conditions, and identifying appropriate preservation treatments.

A special thank you to the for sponsoring scholarships that enabled four participants from Dillon and Virginia City to attend.

We're inspired by the enthusiasm and dedication of this talented group and look forward to seeing preservation put into action in communities across Big Sky Country!

Schoolhouse Survey Spotlight: McMaster School in Broadwater County

The story of the McMaster ranch began in Pennsylvania, where Irish immigrants Joseph and Flora McMaster had a farm in 1880. In 1886 Joseph & Flora arrived in Helena, Montana Territory with their son William and his family - wife Lizzie & son James.

In 1893, William and Lizzie homesteaded this property on the old road to Diamond City near the Helena-Bozeman road and the Northern Pacific rail line. They built a blacksmith shop, then a large barn to provide wheel repair & farrier services to passing travelers.

The history of the school building isn't certain, but it appears to have been moved onto the site from an adjoining homestead, where it likely served as a house starting at the turn of the 20th century. It is uncertain when the building was moved to the McMaster property, but Dolly McMaster recalls attending school there in the early 1930s. It was not in continual use, but instead served as a temporary school as needed. After 1930, the McMaster children were the only ones in the district.

Despite more than a century of existence, the school remains well preserved, and an integral part of the historic ranch.

A good portion of the property has been gifted to the Bureau of Land Management for protection and public benefit. The McMaster Schoolhouse was the first building on this property to be preserved following this agreement led by Dolly McMaster (pictured), Lizzie and James’ granddaughter. The schoolhouse rehabilitation work was performed by Preserve Montana in 2021 with the help of volunteers from First Interstate Bank.

Preserve Montana and the Helena–Lewis & Clark National Forest are excited to welcome Penny and Marion for a 6-week archaeology fieldwork internship funded by the U.S. Forest Service.

The two anthropology students, Penny, a recent graduate of the University of Montana, and Marion, a student at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, will spend four weeks in the field with experienced archaeologists in the Southern Big Belt Mountains — one of Montana's most historically rich and under-explored landscapes. The area is packed with prehistoric occupation sites, chert quarries, and possible ancient travel corridors, many of which haven't been touched since the late 1990s.

The internship will give Penny and Marion:
✅ Orientation to historic preservation & cultural resource management in Montana
✅ U.S. Forest Service field training
✅ GPS mapping, site testing, and excavation
✅ Data analysis and reporting at the Helena Ranger District Office

They'll work directly alongside Dr. Lauri Travis, formerly with Carroll College — gaining real-world skills in field methods, site recordation, scientific research, and site interpretation.

We're excited to offer a rare, hands-on opportunity to make a real contribution to our understanding of the past.

Stay tuned for updates on their experience and work! In this picture, Penny and Marion are doing a site documentation exercise at The Bray in Helena as part of their orientation.

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A huge thank you to the Montana State Historic Preservation Office for sponsoring one of this year’s Trades Corps members!

As one of Preserve Montana’s longest-standing partners, Montana SHPO has played a vital role in protecting the historic places, cultural landscapes, archaeology, architecture, and cultural heritage that make Montana unique. Preservation is at the heart of the Montana Historical Society mission, and through SHPO’s work, these important places and stories are documented, interpreted, and preserved for generations to come.

Their support of Trades Corps helps invest in the next generation of preservation professionals and skilled craftspeople by creating career pathways in the traditional building trades. We’re proud to partner with them in building a stronger future for Montana preservation.

Schoolhouse Survey Spotlight: Basin Grade School in Jefferson County

Nestled into the Basin Creek drainage in the close-knit community of Basin, the Basin School is a rarity among historic schools: it is both in operation and in excellent historic condition!

Basin began as a mining camp in the 1860s, and by the 1890s, its gold had brought prosperity to the town. This is exemplified by the school, which finished construction in November 1895; it was a large and grand building, but residents foresaw growth and the previous school, described as a "rude log house," was over capacity at the time. Completed with a $5000 bond and built by residents of Basin, the two-story school was originally only finished on the first floor as there was no need for more capacity. Also, as Basin did not have a church at the time, Sunday school and church services were held within the school for a period.

Despite Basin's population decline to under 200, the school has remained in service. It is non-operational for the current school year, but is looking to reopen for the next.

In Great Falls’ Southside neighborhood are two homes that help tell an important story of African American life, community, and resilience in Montana. ✨

As we celebrate National Preservation Month and reflect on the promise that “all people are created equal,” we’re recognizing the historic places that help us better understand who built Montana’s communities—and the stories that deserve to endure.

At 711 8th Avenue South, the David and Katie Knott Residence stands as a reminder of one family’s journey from Memphis to Montana. David and Katie Knott arrived in Great Falls in 1892 with their children, Katie’s mother Cornelia, and grandmother Catherine. David worked for the Montana Power Company, while Katie became a deeply respected church and community leader through Union Bethel A.M.E. Church. For nearly sixty years, she served her community through charity work, women’s groups, church events, and efforts to support children and families in need. 🏡

At 708 8th Avenue South, the Taylor-Reed House carries another powerful chapter of this history. John A. Taylor came to Great Falls in 1902 and worked as a railroad man, express man, and later as a hotel porter. The home later became connected to Gertrude Taylor and then Eddie and Eva Reed. Eddie Reed, who played in the Negro Leagues before coming to Great Falls, became an active member of the Union Bethel Church, the Black Mason lodge, and the local community, even sharing his love of baseball by coaching youth. ⚾

Today, they remind us that preservation is not only about saving buildings. It is about honoring the people who lived, worked and created lasting community in the places we now call historic. 🤎✨

📸 Photo credits: Montana Historical Society / State Historic Preservation Office

📚 Information sources: Montana Historical Society / State Historic Preservation Office African American Heritage Property Records for the David and Katie Knott Residence and Taylor-Reed House.

It's the fourth week of Preservation Month and tomorrow we have another event for you to join!

OPEN HOUSE: Baxendale Schoolhouse Preservation Center

📆 Thursday, May 21, 2026
🕛 5:00 - 7:00pm
📍 2965 Country Club Ave, Helena

Drop by the Baxendale Schoolhouse for an open house to explore the history of this resilient one-room school and its new vision as Preserve Montana's preservation carpentry workshop and learning lab. Every guest will receive a Preserve Montana pencil to encourage continued learning in the art of preservation trades and practice!

Learn more: https://preservemontana.org/get-involved/events/

Schoolhouse Survey Spotlight: Baxendale School in Lewis and Clark County

👉 OPEN HOUSE @ the Baxendale Schoolhouse Preservation Center
📆 Thursday, May 21
🕛 5:00 - 7:00pm
📍 2965 Country Club Ave, Helena

In celebration of Preservation Month! Join us for an open house at the Baxendale Schoolhouse Preservation Center and discover the story of this resilient one-room schoolhouse, now in an exciting new chapter.

Now home to Preserve Montana's preservation carpentry workshop and training center, the Baxendale school has a colorful, migratory past. As a school, the building served the small community of Baxendale west of Helena starting in the 1890s, and was originally on the site of the Holter Sawmill. The community, centered around a granite quarry that employed around 125 men, was at its busiest in these early years. The quarry, founded in 1888 and owned by Thomas Kain and Sons, supplied stone for buildings throughout the region. The town boasted 5 saloons, a dance hall, and more than 20 students attended school.

By the early 1940s, the population had dwindled significantly, and only 4 students were in class. However, students had an exciting visitor in 1940, when actress Myrna Loy stopped by to visit her cousin, who was the teacher. The school closed in 1942, but continued on as a community center and polling place for decades.

In 1997, the Kessler School District sold the school to Larry Marshall, who incorporated the school into his antique mall at the Wassweiler property on the west side of Helena.

In 2019, the school was donated to Preserve Montana and moved onto The Archie Bray Foundation's property; in 2022, it was set onto its permanent foundation. Since then, Preserve Montana has made repairs to the interior and exterior of the building. Despite its migratory past, the school is still holding together, and students are once again learning in its classroom!

Historic photos from The Independent Record.