Dedication of historic north shore land Aug. 21
<p> This barn near Bigfork was built in the early 1900s and was purchased, along with 189 acres, by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks earlier this year. North Country Builders of Whitefish is leading the renovation and restoration.</p>
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Flathead Land Trust and the Flathead Lakers will celebrate the conservation of an historic property Aug. 21 from 5-7 p.m.
The 189-acre property near Bigfork was added to the North Shore Wildlife Management Area last winter to permanently protect scenic vistas, farmland, bird habitat, hunting opportunities, and clean water. The property also contains an historic barn built by homesteader Joseph McClarty that was restored this summer by the previous landowner, Darrell Worm, using some of the proceeds from the sale of the land to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
The celebration will involve a ribbon-cutting to inaugurate the new addition to the North Shore Wildlife Management Area as well as tours of the restored, historic barn.
Donetta McClarty Antonovich, the great-granddaughter of homesteader Joseph McClarty, will give a presentation on the history of the homestead. “I am very thankful to Darrell Worm for his gift to so many that will live on for our descendants to see and share,” Donetta said. “I am excited to share my pride and family stories at the upcoming event.”
The conservation project continues the collaborative effort to conserve critical lands along the north shore of Flathead Lake and the Flathead River, known as the Flathead River to Lake Initiative.
The celebration will be at the restored historic barn on Montana Highway 82.
RSVP by Aug. 15 to Laura Katzman at 752-8293 or lkatzman@bigsky.net. To learn more, visit flatheadlandtrust.org/