Helena Celebrates Preservation Projects, Honoring Local Restoration Leaders

City officials and preservation advocates will gather at the Lewis and Clark County Historical Society History Center on November 13 to present the annual Historic Preservation Awards. The ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. at the downtown Steamboat Block, 618 Helena Ave, and will recognize a slate of projects and individuals that have contributed to conserving Helena and county landmarks. According to a Patch event listing the awards include recognition for restoration projects, masonry work, rock wall restoration, and a lifetime achievement award to retired Montana State Architect Tom O’Connell. The History Center will remain open for viewing after the ceremony and Historic Preservation Assistant Kathy Macefield is listed as the contact for more information.

The event is the focal point of local efforts to preserve built heritage and to promote heritage tourism that funnels visitors into downtown businesses. Preservation work often requires specialized trades such as stone masonry and historic carpentry, and the awards highlight that craftsmanship. For local contractors and suppliers this recognition can translate into further commissions as property owners seek certified work that meets preservation standards. For downtown merchants and restaurants, enhanced historic sites can boost foot traffic during events and over the longer tourist season.

Municipal support from the City of Helena and partnership with the Lewis and Clark County Heritage Tourism Council signal an alignment between cultural policy and economic development. Public recognition programs can mobilize private investment in older properties that might otherwise face deferred maintenance. Rock wall restoration and masonry projects are examples of capital improvements that reduce future repair costs and protect adjacent infrastructure, including sidewalks and public rights of way. By showcasing completed projects the awards aim to lower informational barriers for other property owners considering preservation investments.

The lifetime achievement award to retired Montana State Architect Tom O’Connell underscores the role of public sector leadership in shaping statewide standards for design and building maintenance. Such recognition also serves as a reminder that preservation policy is administered through a mix of local ordinances, state guidance, and available technical assistance. The awards event and the public viewing at the History Center provide residents an opportunity to see how those policies and practices are applied in specific projects.

For Lewis and Clark County residents, the ceremony is both a civic celebration and a practical showcase of how investment in historic assets supports local jobs, protects property values, and sustains tourism. Attendees can view recent restoration work and connect with preservation staff. The Patch listing identifies Kathy Macefield as the Historic Preservation Assistant to contact for further details about the awards and the History Center viewing.