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On Nov. 8, FHS seniors Andy Schottelkorb and Tim Wood found themselves sitting in front of their televisions, anxiously watching as one of Kalispell’s most endearing landmarks was given a place in television history. On the A&E network’s “America’s Castles,” the Conrad Mansion was given star treatment in a special about pioneer mansions, and Schottelkorb and Wood were an active part of the experience.
“Filming the show was great,” said Schottelkorb. “It felt like being on center stage.”
Filmed this summer, the show came to the Flathead during its most beautiful season to capture the ivy-cloaked house in its natural surroundings. This provided the perfect setting to capture the spirit of pioneering. To film interior party scenes, the producers hired people from around the valley to play party attendants and even the Conrads themselves.
“I played Charles Davenport,” said Schottelkorb. “He was the Conrads’ son, so that was very exciting.”
To recreate the costumes of the time, the producers brought in noted costume restorer Jared Hollandsworth, whose work included restoring costumes for the movie Titanic.
“The costumes were wonderful,” said Schottelkorb. “They were so realistic and put me right in the era.”
Schottelkorb, as well as FHS graduates Mette Romain and Laura Paisley, were asked to participate because they were all employed by the mansion at the time of the filming. The rest of the participants, including Wood, were recruited by these and other employees of the mansion.
“I found out about it because I work there,” said Schottelkorb. “So I guess I was in the right place at the right time.”
After watching the show, the reaction from the participants was very positive. Not only did they feel the mansion and its history was depicted well, but they were excited to see themselves on TV.
“I was surprised to see myself,” said Tim Wood. “My mom was yelling ‘There you are! There you are!’”
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