The Montana Preservation Alliance (MPA) is delighted to bring Jeff Mow, Glacier National Park Superintendent; Deirdre Shaw, Glacier National Park Museum Curator; and Tom Beaudette of DCI Engineers to Columbia Falls to give a keynote talk about the history and future of Sperry Chalet during the Montana Preservation Road Show on June 14 at St. Richards Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. The talk is free and open to the public. A dessert reception will follow.

The sturdy stone walls of the Sperry Chalet served intrepid hikers in Glacier National Park for 103 years and became a symbol of back country heritage in the Park. The Chalet was destroyed by the Sprague fire in late August 2017, but a worldwide community of Sperry Chalet enthusiasts have rallied with funds and strong support to see it rebuilt.

Museum Curator Deirdre Shaw will feature stories and photos of the chalet's rich history as a railroad hotel and much loved oasis in the wilderness. Beaudette of DCI Engineers will share details of the initial structural analysis last fall; and Glacier Superintendent Mow will talk about current and future efforts that will rebuild this beloved landmark building for the public to enjoy.

This public talk is hosted by the MPA in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities, USDA Forest Service Region 1, and many local partners. The Montana Preservation Road Show launches from a different small town every other year with the mission to immerse participants in the history and culture of rural Montana, spotlight great local preservation efforts, and raise awareness of the importance of preserving Montana's historic buildings and cultural landscapes.
In the Flathead and Glacier regions, that means taking the path less traveled to see barns and homesteads, tribal landscapes, industrial buildings, ranger stations and forest cabins, depots, hotels, and more. Along the way, veteran preservationists, historians, tribal experts, archaeologists, teachers and professors all join in to provide a well-rounded portrait of the historic places that define the area and her people.