Montana Historical Society looks to improve Helena Museum
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BCJ Staff
L-R Bob Brown, President of the Montana Historical Society, Jude Sheppard, Executive Director of the Blaine County Museum and member of the Board of Directors for the Montana Historical Society along with former State Senator Greg Jergeson met last week in support of legislation to improve the facility in Helena.
Montana Historical Society President Bob Brown was in Chinook last Thursday and stopped by the Blaine County Museum to discuss the efforts underway to improve the facility in Helena with Executive Director of the Blaine County Museum, Jude Sheppard and former State Senator Greg Jergeson.
The Museum at its present location was built in 1950 and was called the Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building in which we now refer to it as the home of the Montana Historical Society (MHS).
The MHS is the oldest continuous Historical Society west of the Mississippi. The Montana Territory was created in 1864 and in 1865 held its first congressional session. On just the ninth day the Territorial Governor presented legislation that led to the creation of the MHS.
The location is directly across the street from the Sate Capitol and welcomes visitors from all over the world, including thousands of local students and their teachers from every county in the state.
In the nearly 67 years since construction began on the original building was built there has been very few improvements done to the building. Other than the exhibits, the office space, storage rooms and general usage areas have been largely neglected.
The MHS is home to millions of archival documents, including over 500,00 photographs, maps and books but only can display about 8% of it's collection. The Museum is home to an incredible collection of Charles M. Russell pieces and a renowned Native American collection that includes five galleries.
The MHS's current storage facilities lack the climate control and ventilation required to properly store items and limits the ability of the MHS to accept gifts from donors.
Museums throughout the state benefit from the Historical Society with many, including the Blaine County Museum in Chinook being loaned pieces from the state collection for display locally.
In 2005 the MHS Board of Trustees approved architectural plans and the 2005 Montana Legislature approved $7.5 million in bonding authority for the building project. In the time since another $3.5 million has been raised from private donors.
The current legislative session includes a House Bill 660 which would increase the Bed Tax by .5% and create a grant program for historic preservation projects. Senate Bill 376 would also help provide funds for the project. With the passage of either Bill completion of the Heritage Center would be assured.
Blaine County and the residents all along the Hi-line have undoubtedly been strong supporters of historical preservation for a very long time with several top notch museums located in Hill, Blaine and Phillips counties. The Bear Paw Battlefield and the Airman's Memorial are other examples of local support for maintaining Montana History.
The new facility in Helena is another way for Montana's history to be shared all across the state and relies on the same support that each local museum enjoys.
