More than a dozen different wood products companies throughout the country, including Colville-based Vaagen Timbers, have come together in support of a national museum dedicated to forests and forest conservation.
The National Conservation Legacy Center, part of the National Museum of Forest Service History, is under construction. Slated to open in summer 2026, the structure is turning heads with a bold vision: to honor America’s conservation legacy through a museum built of wood, made for people, and inspired by the forest.
Architectural rendering of the National Museum of Forest Service History National Conservation Legacy Center.
To help make this architectural spectacle possible, companies like Vaagen Timber provided in-kind donations and financial support. Specific to Vaagen Timbers, it provided the Center mass timber from sustainable forest management operations in Washington state. Washington remains a national leader in producing renewable forestry products and is increasingly emerging as a trailblazer in engineered wood manufacturing due to its abundant forest resources, commitment to sustainable practices, supportive government policies, and forward-thinking forestry sector leaders that embrace innovation. As an added benefit, timber and other groundbreaking wood products help foster healthy, resilient forests while providing a carbon-friendly building material that reduces net CO2 emissions in the built environment.
Nestled between Highway 10 and the Missoula Montana Airport – visible to both highway travelers and airline passengers – the one-of-a-kind building is rising from the landscape. The Center is not just a building; it is an exhibit, said Lisa Tate, National Museum of Forest Service History Executive Director. America’s forestry story is still being written, but Tate and others envision the Center will ensure the roots of that story – and the people who have dedicated their lives to it – are honored.
The National Conservation Legacy Center features diverse tree species throughout the U.S.
“Built from wood and grounded in history, the Center will stand as a bold reminder that forests connect us all,” Tate said.
A construction photo featuring sever of the Center’s 23 columns.
With every timber beam and wood species intentionally selected for both its natural beauty and what it represents, the Center showcases the power of forest partnerships, natural resources, sustainable materials, and the American people’s collective responsibility to steward U.S. forests. From handcrafted timber framing joinery, heavy timber, to advanced mass timber, the structure parallels the evolution of forestry, forest management, and wood innovation in the U.S.
For example, each support column in the Center is made from a different wood species. One column, made of American chestnut, represents efforts to save this nearly lost species impacted by blight, and is just one of many stories waiting to be shared.
The National Museum of Forest Service History is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that is independent of the U.S. Forest Service. Since its founding, the museum has collected more than 55,000 Forest Service and other conservation artifacts to preserve the history of America’s first conservation agency, as well as its multiple partners. The new Center will expand on this vision and serve as a placemaking feature within the Museum’s 31-acre campus that also includes walking trails, interactive outdoor exhibits, and a striking three-story viewpoint modeled after a classic fire lookout. The campus will be a destination for all ages, including families, school groups, forestry professionals, history buffs, and conservation enthusiasts.
But, Tate noted, the Center isn’t just about the past. It’s about what’s next.
“Or message is that conservation takes all of us,” Tate said. “We want people to understand that forest management doesn’t end at federal forestland boundaries. It includes state, tribal, and private landowners. Everyone plays a role.”
That theme will be woven throughout the Center’s immersive exhibits with participatory displays, storytelling, and hands-on kiosks. Visitors will explore topics ranging from fire ecology and recreation to sustainable forest products and the diverse career paths in forestry.
Importantly, the values behind the project align deeply with the forestry sector: promoting healthy forests, responsible land management, innovation, and wise use of renewable resources like wood. The forestry community understands that active forest management – which includes harvests, thinning, prescribed fire, and replanting – is critical to reducing wildfire severity, supporting wildlife habitat, and ensuring America’s forests remain resilient for generations to come.
“People often don’t realize how many different careers exist in forestry, or the depth of science and collaboration that go into maintaining healthy forest ecosystems,” said Tate. “This Center will help change that and hopefully inspire the next generation of forestry leaders.”
As construction continues, fundraising is underway with naming opportunities throughout the Center. Organizations and individuals interested in supporting the project can reach out directly to Tate at 406-541-6374 or lisa.tate@forestservicemuseum.org.