PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 4, 2016 www.greatfallsmt.net Contact: Ellen Sievert, Historic Preservation Officer Home to Lewis & Clark National 2016 HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD RECIPIENTS Historic Trail Interpretive Center and Great Falls, Montana – Each year the Great Falls-Cascade County Historic GF Portage National Historic Landmark Preservation Advisory Commission (HPAC) 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 Over 60 parks & 40 miles of trail along the Place Matters.” Four projects will be honored at the 2016 Preservation Award Reception, Missouri River which will be held on Thursday May 26, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., in the Missouri Room of the Civic Center. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Ellen Five Districts listed in Sievert, Historic Preservation Officer at 761-6955. the National Register of Historic Places 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. Home of the C.M. Russell Museum and Hotel Arvon Team National Historic Landmark Studio & The team responsible for the development of the Hotel Arvon will be honored for their Residence outstanding work in returning the 1890 hotel to a comfortable and creative boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Great Falls. Although teetering on the brink of collapse and facing condemnation, the building displayed great original integrity and the Arvon Block Development Venture was organized to execute its rehabilitation. The 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 2 Park Drive P.O. Box 5021 historic tax credit hotel project that made the rehabilitation possible. Great Falls, Montana The rehabilitation and restoration work on the hotel project performed by Dick 59403 Anderson Construction will also be recognized at the May 26 reception. Dick Anderson 406-761-6955 [email protected] Construction performed the rehabilitation and restoration work on the hotel and will also be recognized for their remarkable participation in the project and extensive efforts to restore and repair existing materials in order to meet national Standards for Rehabilitation. (more) 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. The project “exemplifies the vision of the C.M. Russell Museum: sharing Russell’s West with excellence;” said Michael Duchemin, Russell Museum Director. “Preserving the home and studio indicates the commitment of the museum and the community of Great Falls to protect and continue the legacy of Charles Marion Russell for future generations. We are proud to accept this award as a symbol of the important work we do every day for Charlie, for western art and the American West.” That excellence is also reflected in the craftsmanship applied to the project 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. McGraw Building The Preservation Commission went to downtown Fort Benton for a storefront restoration project award. Former Historic Preservation Advisory Commission (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 original front was covered with contemporary brick, modern windows and an aluminum awning. His award winning project uncovered the original, terra cotta 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, Spark Architecture, Great Falls, 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. The HPAC was impressed by the project that not only meets the American with Disabilities Act standards but also the Department of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. The new entrance is visual proof that accessibility can be beautiful and appropriate in historic buildings. ### .