Nearly $6 Million In Historic Preservation Grants Awarded To 21 Montana Communities

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 21 Montana communities will share $5.9 million in grant funding for 31 historic preservation projects. Awarded through Commerce’s Montana Historic Preservation Grant Program, the funds will be used for historic sites and history museums.

“This program stimulates economic development, community renewal and statewide tourism through increased investment, job creation or retention, business expansion and local tax base growth,” said Montana Department of Commerce Deputy Director Mandy Rambo. “Combined with such a return on investment, the MHPG program demonstrates the economic impact of historical resources throughout the state.”

Carter County Museum in Ekalaka will use MHPG funding to reinforce its century-old building’s roof trusses, adding an HVAC system and installing museum-quality lighting and exhibition solutions. Currently, only 10% of the museum’s collection is on display. MHPG funding will aid in the preservation of the historic museum structure and allow for increased exhibition and on-site storage of the Carter County Geological Society’s collection.

“This award highlights what our community has always known: The Carter County Museum is a place of world-class discovery rooted in small-town heart,” said Dr. Sabre Moore, executive director of the Carter County Museum. “We would like to thank the State of Montana for recognizing the role rural museums like ours play in preserving Montana’s past while preparing for its future."

The following community projects will receive MHPG funding:

• Absarokee: $150,000 for the Sandstone and Cobblestone Schools Complex

• Anaconda: $200,000 for the Anaconda Deer Lodge County Courthouse

• Anaconda: $51,000 for the Anaconda Montana Hotel

• Anaconda: $250,000 for the Anaconda Elks Club

• Billings: $210,000 for the Yellowstone Art Museum Main Building

• Billings: $350,000 for the Shrine Auditorium

• Billings: $150,000 for the Billings Depot Caboose

• Butte: $200,000 for the Butte Steam Plant Event Center

• Butte: $155,000 for the St. Patrick’s Mission at the World Museum of Mining

• Crow Agency: $250,000 for the Little Big Horn College Apsáalooke Center for Culture and History

• Ekalaka: $300,000 for the Carter County Museum

• Hamilton: $150,000 for the Historic Hamilton Town Hall

• Havre: $350,000 for the Hill County Courthouse

• Helena: $300,000 for the Lewis & Clark County Courthouse

• Hysham: $145,000 for the Yucca Theatre

• Kalispell: $50,000 for Kalispell Community Thrift/Scandinavian Methodist Church

• Kalispell: $50,000 for Kalispell Train Depot Building

• Lavina: $250,000 for the Historic Lavina School

• Livingston: $250,000 for the KPRK Building

• Livingston: $300,000 for the Lincoln School

• Livingston: $200,000 for the Yellowstone Gateway Museum of Park County

• Malta: $100,000 for the Villa Theatre

• Miles City: $150,000 for the Mountain States Telephone Building

• Missoula: $350,000 for the John Engen Building

• Missoula: $114,492 for the St. Michael’s Church at Fort Missoula

• Missoula: $24,600 for The Recording Center

• Red Lodge: $50,000 for the Red Lodge Pea Cannery and Brewery Building

• Terry: $50,000 for the Prairie County Museum and Evelyn Cameron Gallery

• Troy: $168,000 for the Yaak Community Hall

• Virginia City: $200,000 for the Octagonal Pavilion

• West Yellowstone: $300,000 for the Union Pacific Dining Lodge

In addition, $90,040 awarded in 2023 to the Original Montana Club Cooperative Association for improvements to the Montana Club in Helena was re-appropriated to the building’s new owner, Rathskeller, LLC.

Created in 2019, the MHPG Program helps communities invest in historic preservation projects as a tool of economic development and community revitalization. It is administered by Commerce’s Community MT Division and offers historic preservation technical assistance, addressing historic projects’ financial and preservation gaps. MHPG funds are invested at critical points to keep projects moving forward, catalyzing local revitalization and economic growth.