Marie and Grant Musser, longtime residents of Tompkins County, actively pursued preservation of the Newfield Covered Bridge beginning in 1969. Their perseverance led to the bridge's restoration in 1972 by Milton S. Graton, a nationally renowned preservationist. In recognition of their dedication and service, the Tompkins County Board of Representatives appointed them "Keepers of the Covered Bridge" on April 30, 1973, a role they still held at the time of this account. During the following 29 years, the Mussers selflessly made frequent and regular visits to the covered bridge to ensure that any necessary repairs were completed in a timely and historically sensitive manner.