The Sanders County Commissioners and the High Bridge Committee were selected by the Montana Preservation Alliance (MPA) to receive one of this year’s Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards.  They were selected for their “amazing efforts to restore and re-open the historic High Bridge.”  Three members of the committee, Tim Harlan, Katy Walton and Jean Polequaptewa, along with Carol Brooker, Commission Chair, made the trek to Helena Wednesday, Sept. 29, to accept the award.  A reception and ceremony was attended by 100 or so MPA volunteers, members and other honored guests at the Montana Club in Helena.

The Montana Preservation Alliance (MPA) saves and protects Montana’s historic places, traditional landscapes and cultural heritage.  They are the only statewide, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing Montanans with the resources necessary to preserve our state’s unique history and culture.   

Since 1987, MPA has helped Montana citizens  achieve a diverse array of preservation initiatives ranging from roof repair and building stabilization to school education programs and cultural landscape documentation. Through preservation team workshops, lobbying efforts, Preservation Excellence Awards, and annual publication of Montana’s Most Endangered Places, MPA provides individuals and communities with the leadership and knowledge to preserve Montana’s past for the future. Each year the MPA honors those people who have made a difference to our state’s heritage.  They recognized the committee and commissioners’ “efforts to raise funds and restore the bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use are a model for how a community can come together to save a beloved landmark.  In addition, the Thompson Falls Bridge is one of only a few high bridges ever built in the state, and your dedication to preserve it has saved a rare engineering structure.”

There were six projects or groups statewide receiving “excellence” awards at this year’s banquet.  The High Bridge received the “Outstanding Local Preservation Project” award.

Also attending the award reception were Jim Scoles and Bob Glassen of Morrison-Maierle, Inc.  They represented the engineering firm, on contract with the County, who designed and provided construction oversight for the High Bridge.