Saving The Susan Marr House: Virginia City Landmark to Benefit from Hands-on Conservation Workshop

March 26, 2009 - PRLog -- Virgina City, MT and Boulder, CO - Not much is known about Susan Marr, but Jeff MacDonald assumes she’d be happy to know her house is finally getting some of the attention it needs. MacDonald, head of the Virginia City Institute for Preservation Research and Technology, will be leading a team of volunteers in a week of restoration work at the small wood frame house in Virginia City, Montana, July 27-31.

The house is of one of more than 200 buildings in the National Historic Landmark District Jeff MacDonald and his historic preservation team at the Montana Heritage Commission are responsible for managing. Volunteers are a critical part of their efforts to keep that heritage alive.

The July workshop is being organized by Heritage Conservation Network, a non-profit group that brings people and preservation projects together. The Susan Marr House is the third building in Virginia City to receive assistance from HCN volunteers. The house is next door to the Dr. Daems-Corbitt residence, which HCN volunteers “finished” with whitewash and paint in 2007.

Due to the size of the site, the workshop is limited to 10 people, so people interested in helping save this historic treasure are encouraged to register early. As with most volunteer vacations, there is a fee to participate. The $650 cost covers the volunteer’s materials, instruction and insurance. Participants are responsible for their own meals and accommodations; options range from campgrounds and motels to cozy B&Bs.  There are several restaurants in town.

Virginia City is approximately two hours from Yellowstone National Park, which makes it possible to combine a good deed with seeing some of the world’s great natural wonders. For more information on saving the Susan Marr house, contact HCN at 303 444 0128 or see www.heritageconservation.net/ws-virginia-city-2009.htm.

Heritage Conservation Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of architectural heritage around the world. HCN’s workshops support community-based preservation projects and give volunteers the opportunity to give something back by helping to protect valuable cultural treasures. To learn more about HCN’s international workshops, visit www.heritageconservation.net.

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Heritage Conservation Network is a non-profit organization that supports community-based heritage conservation efforts around the world by organization hands-on building conservation workshops and volunteer vacations at historic sites.