Schoolhouse Rehabilitation Project
What an Incredible Year it Has Been!
2025 has been an absolutely transformational year for the Mountain Brook Homestead Foundation, and we couldn’t be more thankful for the momentum we’ve built together.
We kicked off the year with an amazing honor: being selected by Preserve Montana to host an all-day schoolhouse workshop. This experience lit a fire of inspiration and gave us a clearer vision of what it will take to bring our beloved schoolhouse back to life and reopen it for our community.
From there, things only accelerated! Preserve Montana connected us with Montana West Economic Development (MWED), who generously supported a full Brownfields Assessment of the entire campus. Thanks to their investment, WGM Group completed both Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments — essential groundwork for safe, responsible rehabilitation.
Then came a stroke of perfect timing. During a meeting with MWED, Greg Jones of WWC Engineering reached out with an offer to help, just as a new grant opportunity opened up. His expertise proved invaluable as we prepared the application, which was officially submitted on December 6, 2025. If awarded, this grant will fund a Preliminary Architectural Report (PAR) our first major milestone toward restoration and the key that unlocks even more funding opportunities.
And as if this year could get any better, we’re closing 2025 on another incredible high note: our nomination to the National Register of Historic Places is scheduled to be heard by the Historic Preservation Review Board on January 23, 2026, in Helena! Achieving this designation would significantly strengthen our ability to secure preservation resources and protect the Mountain Brook school campus that we all cherish.
We are profoundly grateful, for every partner, every conversation, every act of support, and every step forward.
Together, we’ve laid the foundation for an even more extraordinary 2026!
Preserve Montana Schoolhouse Workshop April 26, 2025 (photo: Gina McWilliam)
Eli, Sharon, and Dustin, April 26, 2025 (Photo: Ben Thiem)
Sharon and Brent, August 21, 2025 (Photo: Sharon Martin)
Susan, Deanna, Sharon, Christy, and
Stephanie, June 3, 2025 (Photo: Tyler Etzel)
Greg, Sharon, Susan, Ben, November 21, 2025
(Photo: Doug Berglund)
How You Can Help
The Mountain Brook Homestead Foundation is a fully volunteer-driven organization, and community involvement is essential to our work. There are several ways you can contribute:
Share Your Stories
We are gathering oral histories from long-time Mountain Brook residents. Interviews will be recorded, transcribed, carefully edited, and preserved for future generations.
Contribute Historic Photos
If you have historic photographs of the Mountain Brook community, we would be grateful for the opportunity to scan and archive them. All originals will be returned after digitization.
Help Us Spread the Word
Community awareness is one of our most effective tools. Sharing our mission helps us build support, secure materials, and expand our outreach.
Grant Writing Support
Individuals with grant writing experience can make a significant impact on the growth and funding of this project.
Share Your Skills
Whether you have a trade skill, professional expertise, or a personal interest you’d like to contribute, we welcome your involvement. We will work with you to find a meaningful role as we move into 2026.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact mtbrookfoundation@gmail.com
Mountain Brook Homestead Foundation gratefully acknowledges the expertise and support provided by the following organizations and professionals during their on-site visits:
Preserve Montana
Eli Smith, Restoration and Research Specialist
Dustin Kalanick, Preservation Architect, DKAL PLLCMontana West Economic Development
Christy Cummings Dawson, President & CEO
Ben Thiem, Director of Development and Partnerships
Deanna Morrow, Brownfields ProgramWWC Engineering
Greg Jones, P.E., Kalispell Office ManagerWGM Group
Tyler Etzel, Senior Geologist
Brent Merritt, Field ScientistEnvironmental Protection Agency
Stephanie Shen, Brownfields Program Manager, EPA Region 8Montana State Historic Preservation Office
John Boughton, National Register Coordinator