The Great Falls-Cascade County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission (HPAC) and The History Museum and Research Center are pleased to announce a joint celebration for the 2025 Preservation and Legacy Awards! The 2025 Award Reception will be held at the Celtic Cowboy Dark Horse Hall on Saturday, May 10. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and the program starts at 1:00 p.m.
The 2025 Preservation Awards presented by HPAC will celebrate the Baatz Block restoration and the Strain Building adaptive reuse while The History Museum's 2025 Legacy Awards honors Electric City Conservatory and Silver Crest Trails Association.
The Baatz Block was built by Nick Baatz, who emigrated from Luxembourg at the age of 19, settled in Great Falls, and built the Baatz Block in 1913. This is where his wife, Maria, ran a hotel on the upper floors while the main floor housed a drug store, Nick’s offices, and a cabaret, as well as short and long-term lodging to working-class people in Great Falls through the 2010s. In 2023, NeighborWorks Great Falls partnered with Homeword, a sister organization in Missoula, and BSPARK Architecture in Great Falls to purchase the building and rehabilitate it using a variety of funding sources, including Historic Preservation Tax Credits. The Baatz Block will now be home to permanent supportive housing, offering needed shelter and services in the downtown area.
Herbert Strain came from North Dakota to start his retail business in 1887 and was joined by his brother, W.J., a little later. Herbert didn’t live to see the 1913 construction of the Strain Building, where his sons and his brother would operate the Strain Brothers Department Store until 1949. The upper floors were added later to accommodate expanding business, as the Strain empire expanded throughout the state. In the 1950s, the Strain Brothers sold their department stores to Sears and Roebuck, and the firm concentrated on its real estate holdings. The building has since been home to the offices of prominent lawyers, realtors, and architects such as McIver and Cohagen. A major renovation in 1971 “modernized” the building’s appearance with metal sheathing, but in 2017, Jason Madill of Madill Enterprises acquired the building and began restoring its historic character. Now home to an event center, a tavern, and offices, the building’s new uses embrace its architectural details and historic charm.
Electric City Conservatory opened in 1908, advertising the hardiest of plants at their north side location, which was at the edge of the city at the time. Great Falls has been a city invested in parks, trees, and plants from its inception, which is evidenced by various early floral clubs and nurseries. The Burrells owned it for over half a century and then sold the floral and greenhouse business to the Kennedys in 1964. After 39 years, the Petrinis who also own the Flower Farm, purchased the business. In 2017, Meghan Kelly purchased the business. She has expanded their offerings to include unique retail, seasonal plants, florist services and more. The History Museum is delighted to honor Kelly and her thriving business that beautifies our community while carrying on a 117-year legacy in the floral industry.
Silver Crest Trails Association is receiving an award in recognition of their efforts to preserve historic trails for over fifty years in Cascade County. The Kings Hill Ski Area near Neihart has been cared for by organized volunteers over the decades. As early as 1973, the Great Falls Cross County Club utilized the area boasting over 40 members. This dedicated group of volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts maintain over 18 kilometers of trails and offer cross country skiing instruction annually. The group updated their name to Silver Crest Trails Association and have improved the trails using both grants and charitable contributions over the years. Donated time and resources have resulted in several warming huts, fire pits, signage, maps, and groomed trails that the public may enjoy free of charge.
The Preservation Awards and Legacy Awards are both held annually to honor the people and projects that keep and share the history of Cascade County.