West Fork Garage Restoration 2018 - Passport in Time

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Current Projects > 2018
Montana - Bitterroot NF
Closed! West Fork Garage Restoration

Dscn8684.jpg by USFS
West Fork Garage in 2017



MT-4367
July 16-27; July 30-August 10, 2018 (including weekends)

Must commit to 1 entire session; may participate in both

The Bitterroot National Forest is inviting qualified (*see below) individuals to participate in a PIT project to resurrect a beautiful and important, historic landmark! Located along the scenic West Fork of the Bitterroot River, the West Fork Ranger Station is a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-eligible compound containing three 1930s-era historic log buildings. A multi-year effort to restore these historic structures is nearing completion, but has one large effort remaining: the West Fork garage. This log cabin structure, located between the Ranger's house and the cookhouse, features craftsman detailing, and is an excellent example of a "standard plan" building, constructed during the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Depression-era period, of the Forest Service. The building requires replacement of approximately 80 percent of its logs, and volunteers will have the opportunity to learn historic log cabin construction techniques. Volunteers should plan on attending at least one, full two-week session, and should be capable of performing strenuous work associated with log home construction. Familiarity with hand tools, including power tools, and woodworking or carpentry experience is required. Timing and precision is everything for this project, but when we are through, one of the gems of the Bitterroot will have been restored and polished! There is much to see and do while here on the Forest during your hours “off the clock” as well: sight-seeing, nature walks, and much more. We hope to see you this summer!

Number of openings: 12 (6 per session)

Special skills: Special skills *required: carpentry and/or woodworking, including safe use of power tools and/or hand tools (chisels, awl, axe, etc.); volunteers must be physically capable of sustained (8-10 hour periods), strenuous activity daily, and in a variety of possible weather conditions; participants are invited to bring their own basic tools (hammer, level, etc.); all specialty tools will be provided by FS

Minimum age: 18 years old

Facilities: Tent and RV camping provided at no charge for volunteers; vault toilet, no hook-ups; Darby and Hamilton are full- to partial-service communities, with motels, restaurants, and a range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for own lodging/camping gear, extra water, and daily transportation to designated meeting area; Just in! Meals will be provided by the Forest Service!

Nearest towns: Darby, 20 miles; Hamilton, 36 miles

Applications due: Filled

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