Mission accomplished
CATALDO – Since 1975, when Idaho’s oldest standing building became a state park, Bill Scudder, who is retiring in September, has been the manager.
Like the black-robe teachers who led the way for peace among the Indians and the white man back in the mid-1800s, Scudder has led the way to preserving and expanding the opportunities for visitors to examine the dynamics and complexities between the Jesuit Missionaries and tribal people among whom they settled.
In Scudder’s years of managing the Mission of the Sacred Heart, also known as Cataldo Mission, he has overseen the restoration of the church, gotten water on the grounds and built a visitor center.
“Getting water was a major impact,” Scudder said. “Water was needed for fire protection.” Additionally, it gave amenities to the public, like drinking water and bathrooms. It got the grounds in good shape.
The visitor center was another major impact to the park. “It’s a place to orientate people to the site and tell people a little bit what they are seeing.”
Just as the Mission was built with care – not using any nails in the construction of the foot thick walls but of natural products found in the area and wooden pegs – Scudder had to learn what it took to preserve historic buildings. “You just can’t replace a beam. You try to preserve it and keep it as original and authentic as possible. So instead of replacing the entire beam you replace only the part that needs it.”
Scudder also learned that things take a long time to happen. “You can’t rush the government.”
Scudder is admired by his fellow employees and for his involvement with the community.
Norma Douglas, Kellogg Chamber of Commerce coordinator says, “It’s not just the years out there; it’s the way he got involved with the community.”
He was a youth basketball league coach for 20 years. “He really got the program going. He was a great coach and the kids loved him,” she said.
During Scudder’s time he’s gone from managing 18 acres to more than 100 acres, which now includes the boat dock. And he is proud to be the manager of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, the 72-mile long pedestrian and bike trail that he feels, is one of the premier trails in the nation if not the world. “And I know this by the people who have ridden trails all over and tell me this.”
A political hot issue is the newly developed depository. “The park is trying to stay neutral on the issue, he says. “You can’t see it from here. It doesn’t affect the Mission. “I am hopeful that the old Mission will be a standing testament in another hundred years. … You want to keep it as authentic and original as possible. You want it to stay as it was when it was built in the mid 1800s.”
Retirement is going to be something new to Scudder. “I’ve never done this before. It’s going to be new and interesting. I guess some people have a program. I don’t have any set plans.”
He does plan on staying involved with the Mission, but once you retire, “I checked this out, people just fade away.”
Bill Scudder’s retirement celebration is Sept. 19, starting at 6 p.m. at the Wallace Civic Auditorium.