This Just In ...Families Help to Restore the Once Thriving Town of Nevada City
Less than 100 miles from Yellowstone National Park and a number of other natural and historic sites, Nevada City was once a thriving town, thanks to the gold rush of the 1860’s. By 1876, Nevada City was nearly a ghost town and, over the following decades, gold dredging and highway construction destroyed most of the town’s original buildings.
In 1959, Charles Bovey, whose passion was saving historic buildings slated for demolition or being lost to neglect,
was asked to move his collection of buildings from their site, and he selected Nevada City as their new location. Charles and Sue Bovey almost
single-handedly saved a significant piece of Montana’s architectural heritage, bringing over 80 buildings from around the state to this town.
In 1997, the State of Montana purchased the Bovey properties and they are now cared for by the Montana Heritage Commission. Adventures in Preservation Adventures in Preservation (AiP), a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the world’s architectural heritage, has scheduled its first hands-on building conservation workshop for entire families to participate in, to be held in the historic mining town of Nevada City, Montana, June 20-26, 2010. The Nevada City workshop will be a week-long heritage immersion experience. Participants will be involved in learning and practicing building preservation techniques that are used to repair and maintain the historic wooden structures. Activities will include learning how to mix and apply the historic exterior finishes, including whitewash and linseed oil preservative, that help the buildings survive the harsh winter weather, as well as practicing chinking and daubing techniques that keep the wind from blowing through the log walls.
This program is intended for children aged 11 and up, based on previous experience at history camps or other relevant experience. Younger children who would be able to participate and enjoy this opportunity will also be considered by AiP. The cost of the workshop is US$1650 per adult and US$950 per child. Workshop fees cover lodging, breakfast and lunch, one dinner, insurance, workshop materials, and instruction. Daily activities take place Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with one or two evening activities also scheduled during the week. For additional details, including information on assistance making travel arrangements and registration information go to AdventuresInPreservation.org
Adventures in Preservation is a non-profit organization that has been supporting community-based heritage preservation projects since 2002. Its one- and two-week hands-on building conservation workshops and volunteer vacations provide meaningful opportunities to travel, learn about historic preservation, restore buildings, and experience a different culture. |
Everyone will also work with an archaeologist and a blacksmith
to learn about their trades, try a hand at gold panning, and cook meals over an open fire in Dutch ovens, the way it was done over 100 years ago.
OffbeatTravel