The Montana Conservation Corps worked with the Region 1 Historical Preservation Team removing the metal sheeting and old shingles from the roof of the Monture Guard Station. The metal sheets were carefully labelled so they could be returned to their original place. The shingles were removed and an Ice and Water Shield was laid on the wood to help protect the roof.
The Historic Preservation Team including volunteer John Green and project leader Shiffy Wellborn, repairing the chimney. Three cinder blocks were replaced along with fresh mortar and new flashing. This fixed the leak in the roof.
After all the shingles were removed, a new Ice and Water Shield was laid and the existing metal sheets were returned to their original position.
SEELEY LAKE – Recreationists looking forward to renting the Monture Guard Station this winter will be happy to know the roof has been repaired. The Lolo National Forest (LNF) Historical Preservation team along with the Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) reroofed the building and fixed the failing chimney this past September. All the work was done in keeping with the historical nature of the structure.
Lolo National Forest Zone Archeologist Sydney Bacon said for the past couple of years the Seeley Lake Ranger District has been complaining that there has been a leak somewhere in the roof. Because it is used year round, during the summer as an administrative cabin and during the winter in the recreational cabin rental program, the problem needed to be addressed.
"Monture Station has a history of supporting the Forest Service in serving the public and that use continues today. Along with providing shelter and close access to work projects, Monture continues to be used for crews and pack stock working in the area plus as a winter rental cabin, provides an opportunity for the public to see what it was like living at a remote station," said Seeley Lake District Ranger Rachel Feigley.
Bacon estimated that the metal roofing has been on for more than 30 years and the asphalt shingles were put on before that.
"It was definitely time for some TLC," said Bacon.
The Region One Historical Preservation Team consisted of Shiffy Wellborn, retired maintenance worker from the LNF Ninemile Ranger District, and volunteer John Green. Wellborn's responsibilities on the Ninemile District included working on the historic remount station listed on the National Historic Registry.
"Any kind of improvement that is needed on the [historic station], she needed to make sure it is historically accurate and it is done in a way, ideally, that it was done originally. Shiffy is just excellent in those trades and regular construction," said Bacon. "Now that she is retired, she continues to be hired on to do these unique projects. It's been great working with people like that that have these great skills and try and learn from them and keep the tradition."
The team along with the MCC crew removed the metal sheets, labeling them so they could be reattached in their original positions. They removed the shingles, nails, hornet's nests and spider webs, cleaning the whole roof.
"Luckily we found that we didn't have any rot on any of the boards, which was also a concern," said Bacon.
Bacon said she was helping remove the flashing around the cinder block chimney and it started to tip over. The mortar around the chimney had failed and it had deteriorated around the roof.
"My eyes popped really wide and I looked over at Shiffy Wellborn who was the project coordinator, and we said, 'Well now we know where the problem is,'" said Bacon. "That was the main source of the problem. We didn't see any other rot or problems with the rest of the roof."
MCC replaced three cinder blocks, mortar and the flashing. They also laid down Ice and Water Shield on the roof before reattaching the metal sheet.
"The major surprise was the chimney but it was fixable and they got it done," said Bacon. "It was a great collaboration and opportunity for the Montana Conservation Corps to help out on a special project."
Monture Guard Station is eligible for the National Historic Register and is in the process of becoming listed. Because it is eligible, it must be maintained to its historic character.
While the metal roof is not original, the metal roof was on it when it became eligible for the register. Bacon said they are not going to revert it back to cedar shingles because of the heavy snow load, moisture and fire danger.
The project was completed the week of Sept. 7-13.
"We always like to see old buildings spruced up and used and not just crumbling into the ground and going away. However we have to pick our battles and there are only so many buildings we can save," said Bacon. "Our buildings are a non-renewable resource, they can't re-sprout themselves."
Bacon was really pleased to have this collaborative approach. Bacon appreciated the support of the Seeley Lake Ranger District recreation staff including Chad Mullman and Katie Knotek as well as all the work done by the MCC crew and the preservation team.
Bacon said, "It's a credit to MCC, our volunteers and our retirees about how important historic preservation is."
Feigley added, "The Seeley Lake Ranger District is thrilled to have a new roof to protect this valuable facility."
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