NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA FEASIBILITY STUDY · 2020. 6. 28. · Feasibility Study, enabling us to secure our consultants from Point Heritage Development Consulting, LLC who steadfastly

NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAFEASIBILITY STUDY

JUNE 2020 DRAFT

Big Sky Country NHA, Inc.PO Box 1323Great Falls, MT [email protected]

Cover ImageWhen the Land Belonged to God, by C.M. Russell, 42.5 x 72 inches, oil on canvas, Montana Historical Society Museum Collection.

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT

ASSOCIATION

FORT BENTON

MONTANA

Linda Metzger

The Big Sky Country National Heritage Area Feasibility Study was made possible in part through the generous support from

JUNE 2020

The Board of Directors of Big Sky Country National Heritage Area, Inc. (BSCNHA) is pleased to release our draft Feasibility Study for public review. This document represents the culmination of more than four years of coordinated research and conversation in communities around central Montana. Our journey to becoming Montana's first National Heritage Area (NHA) began in January 2015 with a public meeting at the Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts in Great Falls. Over 100 people attended that first meeting, heard about the positive benefits NHAs have made in communities across our nation and learned the steps needed to receive Congressional designation. When asked, those in attendance enthusiastically supported pursuit of NHA designation for our region. As the saying goes, the rest is history, but not really. The release of this Feasibility Study is certainly a milestone, just one of many on the path to designation.

We are proud to reveal the collective results and input from many people throughout Big Sky Country who had a hand in the making of this document. We thank those who attended a presentation or contributed ideas at a public meeting; the mayors of our incorporated cities and towns who have supported this endeavor from the beginning; and other city, county, state and federal officials who have offered opinions; as well as the representatives from our local history, recreation, and economic development organizations who made suggestions because they understand the positive effect an NHA can have in Montana.

The BSCNHA, Inc. Board of Directors is indebted to the private donors who invested in this Feasibility Study, enabling us to secure our consultants from Point Heritage Development Consulting, LLC who steadfastly guided us through the process. Please note those generous donors listed on the inside cover of the document.

And finally, we dedicate this Feasibility Study to two former board members, Ruthann Knudson and Nicholas Vrooman, who embraced the vision and advanced our endeavor with their wisdom and positive energy. They now channel their spirit through a higher power.

Sincerely,

Jane Weber, ChairBig Sky Country NHA, Inc.

Board of Directors

Jane Weber, ChairCascade County Commissioner

Richard Ecke, Vice-ChairJournalist, retired

Lynette Scriver-Colburn, SecretaryUnited Way of Cascade County

Jerry Lehman, TreasurerShareholder, JCCS Accountants

Carol BronsonCommunity Engagement NeighborWorks Great Falls

Brett DoneyPresident & CEO, GF Development Authority

Gayle FisherExecutive Director, Central MT Tourism

Connie JenkinsCommunity Activist, Fort Benton

Chris La TrayAuthor, Representative, Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of MT

Reneé McDonaldLandowner & Educator, Fort Benton

Murry MooreMayor of Cascade

Charlene PorsildCEO, MT History Foundation

Ken RobisonHistorian

Ellen SievertCultural Resource Consultant

John TaillieRegional Park ManagerMT State Parks

Mary WillmarthOwner, Vision West, Inc. Consulting

Ex-Officio MembersKathleen McCourtHistoric Preservation OfficerGreat Falls-Cascade County

Legal CounselBill BronsonGreat Falls, MT

Tax ID Number: 30-0924368

BigSkyCountryNHA FeasibilityStudy ii

TableofContents

Preface i

ExecutiveSummary 1

Chapter1:TheHeritageInitiative 6

Chapter2:IntroducingtheHeritageArea 22

Chapter3:NationalSignificance,Themes,ResourcesandBoundary 35

Chapter4:TheFutureofBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea 60

Chapter5:SummaryofFeasibility 70

Bibliography 78

Appendices 83

AppendixI:ConcurrentPlans 84

AppendixII:BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,Inc.,BoardofDirectors100

AppendixIII:Partners 101

AppendixIV:StakeholderInterviews 106

AppendixV(A):PublicInvolvement–Presentations 107

AppendixV(B):PublicInvolvement–Summary 110

AppendixVI:PotentialFundingOrganizations 115

AppendixVII(A):Inventory–HistoricalandNaturalResources 118

AppendixVII(B):Inventory–MuseumsandInterpretiveCenters 123

AppendixVII(C):Inventory–EventsandAmenities 124

AppendixVIII:PrivatePropertyRightsResolution 125

BigSkyCountryNHA FeasibilityStudy 1

EXECUTIVESUMMARY:BIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREAFEASIBILITYSTUDYANationalHeritageAreainMontana

WelcometoBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea!ThisFeasibilityStudy,developedbythecitizensoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontana,istheculminationofasixyearefforttoplancooperatively,andgaincongressionaldesignationfor,thecreationofaNationalHeritageAreainCascadeCountyandaportionofChouteauCounty.Thechaptersthatfollowrepresentthetirelessworkofawidecross-sectionofindividuals,communitygroups,non-profitorganizations,businesses,industry,andgovernmentalbodiesandagencies.Thereportsummarizesthesestakeholders’ideas,goals,anddesiresforwhataNationalHeritageAreacanbeforthepeopleandcommunitiesofcentralMontana.ThestudyprocesshasbeenguidedbyBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,Inc.(formerlytheUpperMissouriRiverHeritageAreaPlanningCorporation),whichiswillingtoserveasthecoordinatingentityandleadthiseffortintothefuture.

ThisFeasibilityStudyamassestherationaleforcelebratingthestoriesandplacesthatmakeourpartofMontanasospecial—specialtoourresidents;specialtoourtraditions,ourwork,andourwaysoflife;andspecialtoourvisitorsallwhileprotectingpropertyandindividualrights.

TheplainsfirstmeetthemountainsinBigSkyCountry.CourtesyofNormanAnderson


BigSkyCountry–APlaceofNationalSignificance

BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaisaplaceoftransitions,aplacewherenationallysignificanteventsoccurredthatshapedthisregion,thewesternstates,thenation,andtheNorthAmericancontinent.AstheStatementofNationalSignificanceleads,“[t]hevastUpperMissouriRiverlandscapeiswhereapivotaltransitionoccurredfromthelifewaysofIndigenouspeoplestothesettlementofanexpandingAmericannation.”TakingaphrasefromtheLewisandClarkjournal,ourstory“proceedson”fromthere.

ItisastoryofthemightyMissouriRiverthatcarvedthelandscapeandshapedtheecologicalenvironmentofaregion.ItisastoryoftheFirstPeoples’ancientculturesandtraditionscarriedonintheregionforthousandsofyears.Itisastoryoftheexpansivereachofanewandgrowingnation,itsexplorers,andthetransformationalchangebroughttothisland.Itisthestoryofthefrontiersmenandsettlers,andtheinfluxofpeopleintoundevelopedterritory.Andfinally,itisastoryoftheupperMissouriRiverregionoftoday,ourlivesandlivelihoods,andthismagnificentplacewecallBigSkyCountry.

Wetellthisstorywiththewordsandimageshandeddowntous,andthroughthehistoricandnaturalplacesthatsurroundus–landmarksofthepastandacanvasforourfuture.FirstPeople’sBuffaloJump,theGreatFallsPortageRoute,FortBenton,andtheC.M.RussellHomeandStudio—allNationalHistoricLandmarks—anchortheregion’shistoricaltrajectory.Inaddition,theLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailtracesthroughtheregiontheMissouriRiverpassageandtheportagerouteofthenation-changingexpedition.Thelandscapeitself,memorializedfirstintheLewisandClarkjournalsandlaterinRussell’spaintings,isdistinctiveasbutte-dottedplainsrisetomeetthegreatRockyMountains.Acrossthislandscape,westwardexpansionismarkedbyhistoricfortsandtrails,aswellasthecommunity,transportation,industrial,andagriculturalresourcesthatsupportedtheregion’sgrowthovertime.TheMissourianditstributariescontainpristinenaturalsettingsandthehydro-electricdamsonwhichGreatFalls’economywasbuilt.Together,theregion’sresourcescombinetotellastorythatisundoubtedlynationallysignificant.

MembersoftheLittleShellTribeofChippewaIndiansofMontanashareculturaltraditionsatanannualpowwow.CourtesyofGayleFisher

ExplorersattheMariasinFortBentonisthestatememorialtotheLewisandClarkExpedition.ArtistBobScriver,courtesyofKenRobison


In2019,theStateofMontanapurchasedtheBirdtailButteconservationeasement,preserving3,980acresofwildlifeandpublicaccesstothesignificantgeologiclandmark.CourtesyofEllenSievert

ThisisBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea

TheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaofcentralMontanainCascadeandpartofChouteaucountiesincludestheincorporatedcitiesandtownsofGreatFalls,FortBenton,Neihart,Belt,andCascade.MostofthelandwithinthisproposedNationalHeritageAreaisprivatelyowned,withrightsretainedbytherespectiveowners.Thoseprivatepropertyrightsshallremainunchanged.NothingwithinthisFeasibilityStudy,noranyrecommendationoroutcomefromthedesignationofBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreawillchangethecurrentruleoflaw.NorshalltheactionsoftheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreacoordinatingentityeverinfluenceanyoutcomeonproperty,zoning,landuse,hunting,fishing,waterrights,orotherrightsontheland.ParticipationinNationalHeritageAreaprojectsisvoluntaryandonlythoseprojectsacceptabletolandmanagementagenciesorprivatepropertyownersshallbepursued.

TheRailroadHistoricDistrictisoneoffiveNationalRegisterdistrictsinGreatFallsthattracethetransportation,commercial,andresidentialhistoryofthecommunity.CourtesyofEllenSievert


Since2014,citizensofourcommunitieshavegatheredtogethertodiscusstheconceptofcreatingaNationalHeritageAreafortheupperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontana.Overthelastsixyears,nearly100meetingshaveoccurred–publiccommunityconversations,planningworkshops,andpresentationstolocalgovernments,unitsoftribalgovernment,businessgroups,andorganizations.Thisprocesshasbeenwidelypublicizedine-newsletters,newsarticles,andviatelevision,radio,andsocialmedia.Fromthestart,thegoalhasbeen,andwillremain,toengageinterestedindividualsregardlessoftheirpositionsorviews.Someofthecommunityconversationsincludedpeoplewhoexpressedconcerns,raisedquestions,ordemonstratedopposition.Allofthesepositionswerenotedanddiscussed.Accordingly,allopinionsandideasweretakenunderconsiderationandformedtherecommendationsofthisFeasibilityStudy.

Inadditiontopublicinvolvementandcomment,thedevelopmentofthisFeasibilityStudywasconductedtoincorporateconcurrentplansdevelopedbylocalgovernments,organizations,andotherentitiesthatmakerecommendationsofprogramsandprojectsacrossupperMissouriRiverregion.TheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaFeasibilityStudyalsoincorporatesandintegratestheconceptsfromexistingplansofotherorganizations,allofwhicharecrucialtotheimplementationofthisFeasibilityStudyandtherecommendationscontainedwithin.

RegionalSustainability

TheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaisanendowmentfoundedonourlegacy,andestablishedtocommemorateourcultureandheritage,andtocelebratecommunities,andMontanawayoflife.TheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,Inc.isthenonprofitcoordinationentitydesignatedtoadvancetheNationalHeritageAreainpartnershipwiththecitizens,businesses,organizations,andlocalgovernmentsincentralMontana.Itisanestablished501(c)(3),nonprofitorganization,whoseboardofdirectorsrepresenttheregioninwhichweliveandwork.

TheJ.C.AdamsStoneBarnnearSunRiveristheonlyRomanesqueRevivalstonebarnintheUnitedStateslocatedwestoftheMississippiRiver.CourtesyofNormanAnderson


Theorganization’sfundingisderivedfromcontributions,donations,andgrantsthatcombinetocontributetothesustainabilityoftheorganization.Itisthese“investments”thatothersmakeinBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,Inc.,thatarereinvestedacrosstheNationalHeritageArea,assistingourcommunitiesandpartnersinthedevelopmentofprojectsandprogramsthathighlightthecultureandheritageoftheregion.AsotherNationalHeritageAreasacrossthecountryhavewitnessed,thisinvestmentleadstojobcreations,revenuegeneration,businessdevelopment,andotheropportunitiesthatultimatelyresultinaregion’sincreasedsustainabilityandimprovedeconomy.Intheend,BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaisinvestinginourcommunities,ourselves,andourchildrenandtheirfutures.

TheFutureofBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea

AsweconcludethisFeasibilityStudy,wewillundertakeaseriesofnextstepstoadvancetherecommendationsofthisreport.WewillseekcongressionaldesignationforthecreationofBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,asonlytheU.S.CongresscandesignateaNationalHeritageArea.Nevertheless,wehaveheardfromthehundredsthatparticipatedinthereport’sdevelopmentthatwemuststarttoactlikeaNationalHeritageArea.Therefore,thename:BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea.Ourboardofdirectorswillexpand,furtheringitsreachandrepresentationofthecommunitiesitserves.Ouroutreachwillcontinueandgrowasweworktoraisefundstoimplementprojectsandprogramsthatmakeinvestmentsinheritagedevelopmenteffortsthroughouttheregion.Ourpublicinvolvementwillincreaseaswebuildmorepartnershipssothatwe–thecommunityofBigSky–cancometogethertocelebrateourheritageandculturalassets.

TogetherweallhavearoletoplayinBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaaswebuildafutureontheincrediblehistory,vibrantculture,andbeautifullandscapethatdefineourregion.

RangersattheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailInterpretiveCenterteachchildrenhowtomakefirewithrudimentaryequipmentfromyesteryear–abowanddrytinder.Learningthesebasicskillswasamatterofsurvivalthen,buttheseskillscanstillbeusedtodayinanemergency.CourtesyofUSDAForestService

BeltCreekflowsthroughSluiceBoxesStatePark,includingthecanyonnamedafteritsresemblancetotheboxesminersonceusedtopanforgold.CourtesyofGayleFisher


CHAPTER1:THEHERITAGEINITIATIVE

“O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain!” America the Beautiful, Katherine Lee Bates

PurposeoftheStudy

SomuchhasbeenwrittenaboutMontana:landscape,culturalheritage,history,andherpeople.Butitisthese18wordsfromthesongAmericatheBeautifulthatpaintadescriptionofoneofthemoststunninglandscapesoftheUnitedStates.CentralMontanaisBigSkyCountry!Itisbreathtaking,stunning,vast,rugged,romantic,and,oh,sobeautiful.

Theallureofendless,sun-drenched,fieldsofgoldengrain,wavinginthegentlebreezemovingacrossthevast,openland.ThespectacleofthegrandfoyertothefoothillsandfrontrangeoftheRockyMountains.ThequietmystiqueoftheUpperMissouriRiverasitcutsitspaththroughdeepcanyonsandroarsoverthefalls.Antelope,deer,bison,baldeagles,coyote,wolves,andotheranimalsmixedwiththeactivityoffarmsandranching,allattheedgeofcitiesbigandsmalllikeGreatFalls,FortBenton,Belt,Cascade,andNeihart.Thehistoryandheritageoftheregionaredatednotbydecades,orevencenturies,butbymillennia.Thepeopleoftheregionarefriendly,proud,hardworking,self-reliant,independent,andrespectful.TheyarethesaltoftheEarth.ThisiscentralMontana:BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea.

AvisitortoBigSkyCountryincentralMontanaimmediatelyknowsthereissomethingspecialaboutthisplace.Somethingdifferent.Thereisawondermentofthelandscape,immenseandpowerful,yet,sopureandhonest.

CharlesM.Russell(1864-1926)wasanartistwhochronicledtheWest.Inthisself-portrait,Russellgreetshisfriends,cowboysandNativeAmericans,intheUpperMissouriRiverregionofMontana. “Charles M. Russell and his Friends” by Charles M. Russell, courtesy of the Montana Historical Society


ThestoryofBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea(BigSkyCountryNHA)isoftheindigenouspeopleswho,formillennia,reliedontheabundantbisonpopulationforsustenanceandwereinseparablefromtheirculturaltraditions;andofthecataclysmicchangethatoccurredwiththecommissionedjourneyoftwoEuro-Americanmenandthemembersoftheirexpedition.ThesearejusttwoofsomanysignificanteventsincentralMontanathathelpedcontributetothegreathistoryoftheUnitedStates.Ranching,farming,wilderness,forests,rivers,industry,transportation,commerce,military,citiesandtowns,isolation–BigSkyCountrycontainsitall,andmore.

BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,Inc.(BSCNHA,Inc.,formerlytheUpperMissouriRiverHeritageAreaPlanningCorporation),withitspartnerorganizations,theincorporatedcitiesofGreatFalls,FortBenton,Belt,Cascade,andNeihart,andthecitizensofthecountiesofCascadeandChouteau,alltogether,preparedthisfeasibilitystudytoadvancethecreationandformaldesignationofaNationalHeritageArea(NHA)inMontana.Theefforthasbeenyears-long,andthegrowingpartnershipisfocusingonheritagetourism,outdoorrecreation,prideinthecommunity,thecelebrationofheritage,andpreservationofhistoryasameanstohelpfurthertheadvancementofeconomicdevelopmentandqualityoflifeinthisregionofcentralMontana.

FromtheBigSkyCountryNHAwebsite:

ThoseofusfortunateenoughtoliveinBigSkyCountryknowwhatawonderfulplaceitis.Wewanttotellthosestories!Todoso,we’vebroughttogetherresidents,multi-generationallandowners,localbusinesses,nonprofits,andculturalorganizationstofindwaystocapturethatwayoflifeandhistory.Webelieveinprivatepropertyrights,celebratingourhistory,honoringourlegacy,andsharingourstorieswithothers.WebelievethatthestoriesandhistoryoftheUpperMissouriRiverareahavenationalsignificanceandthatNationalHeritageAreadesignationwillbringvitalityandsustainableeconomicdevelopmenttoourregion.

ThefirstformalsteptobecominganNHAistocreateafeasibilitystudy.Thisfeasibilitystudyisbothanalyticalandpromotionalinitsconstruct.Thefeasibilitystudymustassessthesignificanceofaregionanditscollectionofhistorical,cultural,andnaturalresourcesanddeterminewhethertheseassetspossessanopportunitytotellasignificanthistoryoftheUnitedStates,aswellasproduceadocumentthatcontinuestomotivateandenlistpublicsupportandcooperationtocarryoutitsrecommendations.Thisfeasibilitystudyalsoexaminesthecapacityofthecommunitytosupporttheplanandanswerswhatorganizationandgroupofpartnersexisttocarryouttheplan’srecommendations.LikealmostallNHAfeasibilitystudies,thegoalistocreatebothafinaldocumentand,indoingso,aprocessthat,intheend,willresultinastrongcoalitionofpartnersthatcometogethertoconserveandpromotearegion’sheritage.

ThisfeasibilitystudystartedwithanadhoccoalitionofinterestedindividualsandorganizationsthatcametogethertoadvancetheideaofapossibleNHAincentralMontana.Toarriveatthispoint,thecoalitionsetouttobefullyengagedwithallmembersofthecommunity,toenlistsupportfromwillingpartners,tobetransparentandanswerquestionsofindividualsorgroupsconcernedaboutNHAs,andtobedeliberateintheirapproachtodevelopingafeasibilitystudyfortheproposedNHAthatincorporatedthegoalsoftheregion.


Thisfeasibilitystudycontainsthefollowingelements:

• Chapter2presentsthehistoryofBigSkyCountry,includingthecultureandnaturalenvironmentalassetsthattellthestoryofcentralMontana.

• Chapter3providesadetailedexaminationoftheregion’snationalsignificance,itshistoricalthemesandtheresourcesassociatedwiththosethemes,andadescriptionoftheproposedboundaryfortheNHA.

• Chapter4examinesthedesiresoftheregionalpartnership–whatthecommunitieswant,andwhatinitiativestheyhopetoaccomplishasanNHA.

• Chapter5teststhetencriteriatobemetforconsiderationforNHAdesignation.

• Appendicesconcludethedocument,containingexistingreportsandotherinformationconsideredinthedevelopmentofthisfeasibilitystudy.

WhatareNationalHeritageAreas?

ThedevelopmentofNHAsintheUnitedStatesdatestothe1980s,andtheirhistoryisastudyofcivicinvolvementatthegrassrootslevelsofAmericansociety.ThefirstNHAsdesignatedbytheUnitedStatesCongresswereexperimentsinnewconservationeffortsthatinvolvedlocalconstituenciesastheprimarystewardsfortheprotectionofresources.ThisuniqueconservationstrategywasacleardeparturefromtheDepartmentofInterior’sandtheNationalParkService’straditionalmodelofowningandoperatingthehistoricalandnaturalresourcesofnationalsignificance.NHAsbroughttogetherthepublicandprivatesectorsandchallengedthenormsofconservationbywhicheverythingthatwasnationallysignificantintheUnitedStatesmustbeownedandoperatedbythefederalgovernment.TheearlysuccessesofthefirstNHAsledtotheU.S.CongressdesignatingahandfulofadditionalNHAsinotherpartsofthecountry.

Bythemid-1990s,theideaofNHAsas“new”approachestocomprehensiveconservationandcommunitydevelopmentstrategiesbegantotakeholdintheUnitedStates.Pushedinpartbytheemergenceofseveralstateheritageprograms,localeffortssprouted,withthemostintheeasternUnitedStates.Ofthese,severalsoughtcongressionaldesignationasNHAs.EarlyattemptsatprogramlegislationwereproposedtocreateagroupofNHAsalongwithastructureforNHAstoexistwithintheNationalParkService;however,afterseveralattempts,theprogrammaticlegislationfailed.Aneleventh-houreffortattheendoftheSecondSessionofthe104thCongresssawlegislationcontainingbothnewlyproposedNHAsandprogramlegislationadvanceinboththeHouseandtheSenate.Atthelastminute,thebillwasstrippedoftheprogramlanguage,andtheproposedNHAswerepackagedwithinamoremassiveomnibusparksbillthatultimatelypassedCongressandwassignedintolaw.Thus,thefailureofprogrammaticlegislationtowinsupportin1996reinforcedtheprocessbywhichNHAsarecurrentlydesignatedtoday.ThatistheprocessbywhichtheBSCNHA,Inc.,hasfollowedforthedevelopmentofthisfeasibilitystudy.

Asof2019,theUnitedStatesCongresshasdesignated55NHAsinthenation.FromNewEnglandtothedeepSouth,throughtheMidwestandnowadvancingtothefarWest–citizenshavecometogethertoconservetheirheritage,createrecreationalresources,andprotectgreenways.IndividuallyasseparateNHAs,andcollectivelyasanon-designated“systemofNHAs,”theNHAsareworkingtoconserve,interpret,andpromotetheirculturalheritage,todevelopasenseofplace,andtoenhancecommunityrevitalizationandimproveonthequalityoflifeintheirneighborhoods,towns,cities,andregions.Today,thereisnoquestionaboutit:NHAsareheretostay.


NoteveryNHAisthesame.NHAsareasuniqueastheresourcestheyworktoconserve.EachNHAsharesafundamentalphilosophytoachievefourspecificgoals.Thosegoalsareto:

• conservehistoric,cultural,andnaturalresources;

• enhancethedevelopmentofrecreational,educational,andinterpretiveresources

• helpstimulateheritagetourismandeconomicdevelopment

• establishpartnershipstohelpstewardtheadvancementoftheheritagearea

Giventhesegoals,eachNHAmightprioritizethemindifferentways,focusingon,forexample,tourismandinterpretationoverhistoricpreservationandcommunityrevitalization;however,allofthegoalsfortheNHAwillbeaddressedinonewayoranother.

NHAsareextraordinaryplacesinAmerica,mergingcommunityresourcestopromoteconservationandcommunityandeconomicdevelopment–orheritagedevelopment.Theyharnessawiderangeofcommunityassetsandinterests–historicpreservation,outdoorrecreation,museums,performing,craft,andvisualarts,folklife,scenicandworkinglandscapes,andgrassrootscommunity-buildingactivities–thatwhencombinedcreateasumgreaterthanitsparts.

NHAscelebratethedistinctivecharacterandcultureoflandscapesandthecommunitieswithinthemandhaveastrongsenseofplaceandidentity.Theyareneitherurbannorruralandgenerallyincludecommunitiesandsitesthroughoutaregion.Typically,NHAsworktoprotecthistoricalandculturalresourceswhileencouragingdevelopmentfortourismandothereconomicopportunities.NHAsilluminatethehistoryandlivingtraditionsofaregion,sothosepeoplewithintheNHAfeelproudoftheirheritage,andthosewhovisitgainabetterunderstandingofandappreciationfortheregion’scultures.

FewgovernmentprogramscanpointtosuchbroadandgrowinglevelsofsuccessasNHAs.Attheoutsetoftheircreation,fewwouldhavepredictedthatNHAswouldbeaspopularastheyaretoday.NHAsareupheldasthebestexamplesofhowgovernmentandlocalcommunitiescanworktogetheraspartners.NHAsarerecognizedfortheirentrepreneurialpractices,encouragingprivatesectordevelopmentwhileprotectingsignificanthistoricandculturalresources.NHAsareclearinghousesfordialogueamongavarietyofdivergentinterests,creatingopportunitiesforpeopletocometogethertovoicetheirconcernsoropinionsoverintrusiveanddamaginglandcontrolproposals,helpingtoprotectprivatepropertyandthelandowners'interests,allthewhileworkingtowardaconsensuswithinthecommunityforprogress.

Despitethissuccessfulrecordofaccomplishment,oppositiongroupstoNHAshavelonghadtheearofsomepolicymakersinWashington,bothinvariousAdministrationsandtheCongress.ThesegroupscomplainthatNHAsviolateprivatepropertyrightsorconstituteadrainontheNationalParkSystembydivertingfundingfrommuch-neededparkprojects,therebycontributingtoamaintenancebacklogintheNationalParkService.Theseargumentsringhollow,andnothingcanbefurtherfromthetruth.NeveroncehasanyNHAcommittedanact,institutedapolicy,orinitiatedanyactionthatviolatedtherightsofanyproperty.NordoNHAshaveanypowerorregulatoryauthoritytozoneproperty.Manyunbiased,independentstudiessubstantiatethesefacts,includingonebytheGovernmentAccountabilityOffice.1NHAshavenosuchauthority–aslegislativelymandated,andasphilosophicallyestablished.

NHAsbenefitpropertyownersbyenhancingtheirvalueandreinforcingthetraditional,occupational,andrecreationalusesandrightsofindividualownersintheirland.Theyinvestinhistoricrestoration,

1AMoreSystematicProcessEstablishingNationalHeritageAreasandActionstoImproveTheirAccountabilityAreNeeded,GAO-04-593T,GeneralAccountingOffice,Washington,D.C.,2004.


therebyhelpingtoincreasethevalueofpropertiesandlandincommunities.NHAsworkwithfarmersandranchers,assistinginmaintainingtraditionallifestylesandoccupationsacrossvastlandscapesofour50greatstates.And,justbythedesignationofanNHA,thecoordinatingentityisoftenoneoftheearliestorganizationsnotifiedofactionswhichmayhavedetrimentaleffectsonprivateproperty,andthenthroughthenetworkoftheNHAs,noticeisextendedtothosepropertyownerswhomaybeaffected.Ifanythingaboutindividualpropertyrightsistrue,itisthatNHAsarepropertyowners’bestallies.

In2006,theNationalParkServiceAdvisoryBoard,appointedbyPresidentGeorgeW.Bush,publishedareport,ChartingaFutureforNationalHeritageAreas,inwhichDouglasP.Wheeler,Chairman,stated:

NationalHeritageAreasrepresentasignificantadvanceinconservationandhistoricpreservation:large-scale,community-centeredinitiativescollaboratingacrosspoliticaljurisdictionstoprotectnationally-importantlandscapesandlivingcultures.Managedlocally,NationalHeritageAreasplayavitalroleinpreservingthephysicalcharacter,memories,andstoriesofourcountry,remindingusofournationaloriginsanddestiny.Thisisacitizens’movementofhighpurposeandgreatbenefittothenation.WemustacttoensurethatitisvigorouslyencouragedbyprovidingreadilyunderstoodstandardsfortheestablishmentofnewNationalHeritageAreasandbybetterdefiningamutuallyadvantageouspartnershipwiththeNationalParkService.2

ThereportincludedaseriesofrecommendationstoCongressandtotheNationalParkService,includingcreatingapermanenthomewithintheNationalParksystemforNHAs,andmakingalong-term(financial)commitmenttoNHAs.3

NHAsarerecognizedasinnovativeandcreativepartnershipsthatextendthereachoftheNationalParkServicebyconservingthenationallysignificantheritageoftheUnitedStates.OthergovernmentshavestudiedNHAsasmodelsforconservation,preservation,andeconomicdevelopment.ThisnewmodelofconservationwastheexactreasontheReaganAdministrationcreatedtheveryfirstNHAinthe1980s.ThentheNationalParkServicerecognizedthattheevolvinghistoryofAmericawasapproachingapointofanunsustainablefutureifallnationally-significanthistoricandculturalresourcesweretobecomeownedandoperatedbythefederalgovernment.TheconceptofNHAsgrewfromthecreationoftheIllinois&MichiganCanalNHAoutsideofChicagototoday,withatotalof55NHAsintheUnitedStates.

ThemodelforallNHAmanagementisremarkablysimilar–apublic-privatepartnershipwheretheNationalParkServiceisoneofmanypartners,allofwhichcontributetosomeleveloffundingorsupportforprogramsandprojects.AnonprofitorganizationmanagesmostNHAs,withboardsofdirectorsconsistingofvariouscommunityleadersfromdifferentsectorsofthelocalregion.NHAsvaryinsizeandscope,allcreatedwithadesignationbyCongressbasedonaninitialmanagementplanthatchartsthegoalsforthefirsttenyearsofoperations.ManyNHAs,havingreachedthatten-yearthreshold,haveundergoneindependentevaluations,testingtheoutcomesoftheNHAagainstthegoalsestablishedinthemanagementplan,andenablinglegislationcreatingtheheritagearea.

2DouglasP.Wheeler,forwardtoChartingaFutureforNationalHeritageAreas,NationalParkServiceAdvisoryBoard,NationalParkService,2006,,pg.1.3ChartingaFutureforNationalHeritageAreas,NationalParkServiceAdvisoryBoard,NationalParkService,2006,pg.17-18.


ProjectBackground

In2014,theGreatFalls-CascadeCountyCertifiedLocalGovernment(CLG),begantodiscusstheconceptofanNHAinMontanaassuchentitiesgainedmorepopularityinthewesternUnitedStates.TheCityofGreatFallsandtheGreatFalls-CascadeCountyHistoricPreservationAdvisoryCommissionaskedthecommunitytojointhemforthe“GrandTour”eventinJanuary2015thatencompassedthewholeregion.

PublicinvitationtoGrandTourIIinJune2016,whenthepublicparticipatedinearlydiscussionsabout theproposedNationalHeritageArea.CourtesyofUMRHAPC

Morethan100peoplegatheredfromaroundcentralMontana,includingregionalcommunitymembers,tobegincollaborativeeffortstoestablishanNHAalongtheMissouriRiverCorridorandtoreviewtheGreatFalls-CascadeCountyTourismAssessment,anin-depthstudypreparedbyCygnetStrategies.SupportforthesemeetingswasprovidedbytheStateHistoricPreservationOffice(SHPO)andtheGreatFallsTourismBusinessImprovementDistrict(TBID).

SpeakingatthisgatheringwasCharlesFlynn,ExecutiveDirectorofYumaCrossingNationalHeritageAreainYuma,Arizona,andVickySoderberg,atourismmarketingprofessionalfromHelena,Montana.BothexplainedtheconceptofNHAsandtheirabilitytohelprevitalizecommunitiesandmarketthemfortourismandbusinessdevelopment.AsignificantissueraisedattheGrandTourwastheinconsistencyinmessagingamongGreatFallspartnersmarketingtheregion.AvotetakenattheGrandTourresultedinoverwhelmingsupportforanNHAandtotakethenextstepstoestablishanNHAfortheregion’scommunities.

TheUpperMissouriRiverHeritageAreaPlanningCorporation(UMRHAPC)waslegallyestablishedinMay2015.Thefirstmeeting,heldattheLewis&ClarkInterpretiveCenterinGreatFalls,includedtheorganizationofaboardofdirectors.

Inaddition,astrategywasdevelopedtoadvancetheNHAconceptwithintheregionandtobuildanorganizationthatcouldtaketheideathroughtheinitialorganizingandplanningstages.Theorganizationreceivedofficial501(c)(3)designationinJune2016.


AsuccessfulGrandTourIIeventtookplaceinApril2016andwasattendedbynearly100membersfromtheGreatFallscommunityandfromacrossthecountiesoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionincentralMontana.GrandTourIIwasalsoaworkingmeetingfortheUMRHAPC,itspartners,andthecommunity,asallparticipatedingroupdiscussionstodevelopaninitialmissionstatementfortheproposedNHA.Theparticipantsalsohadarobustconversationabouttheregion’sheritageandhistory,withpreliminarythemesandhistoricaltopicspresented.Aproposedprojectareawasalsodiscussed,andtheinitialareaincludedallofCascadeandChouteauCounties,alongwiththeentirereachoftheUpperMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonument.Participantsunderstoodthatthethemes,history,andprojectregionwouldbereconsideredandpossiblyrefinedwhenthefeasibilitystudyplanningofficiallybegan.

WiththesuccessofGrandTourII,UMRHAPCundertookanumberofimportantactivitiesthathelpedmovetheinitiativeforward.Theorganizationsetouttoraisemoneytosupporttheorganizationanditswork.Also,awebsitewascreatedasawayforthepublictofollowtheprogressandtolearnaboutfuturemeetings,ortogetinvolvedasvolunteers.Theboardinvitedtribalgovernments’participationintheprocess.TheymetwithJasonSmith,DirectoroftheGovernor’sOfficeofIndianAffairs.Athissuggestion,Dr.RuthannKnudsonsubsequentlysentletterstotheChippewaCreeTribalBusinessCommitteeoftheRockyBoy'sIndianReservation,theLittleShellTribeofChippewaIndiansofMontanaTribalCouncil,theBlackfeetTribalBusinessCouncil,theFortBelknapIndianCommunityTribalCouncil,theCrowTribalCouncil,andtheConfederatedSalishandKootenaiTribalCouncil.Ananthropologistwhohadworkedinacademia,federalservice,andtheprivatesector,Dr.Knudsonheldlongstandingrelationshipswiththetribalnationsintheregion,andhaddecadesofexperiencewithgovernmenttogovernmentconsultationandrepatriation.Furthermore,becauseoftheLittleShellChippewaTribe’shistoricandcontemporarypresenceintheregion,withtribalheadquarterslocatedinGreatFalls,theboardrequestedthattheLittleShellprovidedirectboardmemberinvolvementandparticipationintheNHAinitiative.MontanaStateParksaddedarepresentativetotheboardofdirectors.FederalpartnersattheBureauofLandManagementinFortBenton,Montana,andtheU.S.ForestServiceattheLewis&ClarkInterpretiveCenterinGreatFalls,Montana,wereidentifiedandcontinuetobebriefedontheproject’sadvancement.

Asdescribedbelow,additionalpublicmeetingsoccurredin2017and2018asapartofconductingthisfeasibilitystudy,withthefinalsessioninBelt,MT,inSeptember2019,wheretheparticipantsexpressedstrongsupportfortheestablishmentoftheBigSkyCountryNHA.

GenerousfinancialsupportforthedevelopmentofthefeasibilitystudywasgivenbyAtlanticRichfieldCompany,FirstInterstateBank,FortBentonCommunityImprovementAssociation,MontanaCommunityFoundation,MontanaFederalCreditUnion,NorthWesternEnergy,LindaMetzger,aswellanonymousdonationsfromafoundationandanindividual.

StudyArea

MontanacanbedescribedbytworegionsseparatedbytheContinentalDivide:theeast,bytheGreatPlains;and,thewest,bytheRockyMountains.InBigSkyCountryNHA,thesetwodistinctlandformscometogethertoformalandscapethatisdiverse,wonderous,andawe-inspiring.ThestudyareaislocatedincentralMontanaandissituatedbetweenGlacierNationalParktothenorth,YellowstoneNationalParktothesouth,theUpperMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonumenttotheeastandtheRockyMountainstothewest.WithinthestudyareaistheLewis&ClarkNationalForest.

Forthemostpart,thelandisfairlyflatwithslight,rollinghills.Exceptforthecitiesandtowns,thelandismostlyagrarianplains,consistingofexpansiveranchesandfarms.Beyondtheplainssitbuttes,forests,andoutcroppingsofsmallermountainclusters,noneformingacontinuousrange,butsignificantenoughthatoneknowstheRockiesarenearby.TheentireregionislinkedbythemightyMissouriRiver


withitsdeepwater,steepbanksandcanyons,providingpicturesqueoverlooksofthelandandskies.Mostofthetownsaresmallandrural,originallybuiltandsettledtosupporttheregion'sdevelopingeconomies–agriculture,mining,railroads,andmanufacturingindustries.ThelargestisGreatFalls,amid-sizedurbanareawithadiversepopulationandeconomy.

Withinthisregionisthestudyarea–originallylargerinsizethantheproposedboundaryfortheNHA.Atfirst,thestudyareaconsistedofalllandswithinCascade,Chouteau,andasmallportionofLewis&Clarkcounties.ThestudyareaboundaryreachedasfareastastheNationalMonumentandhadtentacle-likeextensionsoffoftheMissouriRivertouchingplaceswithresourcesinitiallyconsideredforinclusionintheproposedNHA.Throughoutthefeasibilitystudyplanningprocess,theresourcesofthestudyarea,alongwithitsboundary,weretestedagainsttheNPScriteriaandtheboundarycriteriaexplainedlaterinChapter4.Intheend,thestudyareawasmodifiedandadjusted,supportedbyhistoricalandculturalresourcesthattietogetherthestoriesoftheregionandsupportthenationalsignificanceoftheBigSkyCountryNHA.

PrivateProperty/LandUse

DesignationofanNHAdoesnotprovidethecoordinatingentityoranyfederalagencywiththeauthoritytoregulatelandorlanduses.Designationwouldhavenoeffectonprivatepropertyrights.Participationinproposedprojectsandprogramsisvoluntary,withzoningandland-usedecisionsremainingunderlocalgovernmentjurisdictions.Inaddition,thecoordinatingentityisprohibitedfromusingthefederalfundsitreceivestoacquirerealproperty.

AnNHAisnotaunitoftheNationalParkSystem,andNationalParkServiceinvolvementwithNHAsisadvisoryinnature.NolandisownedormanagedbytheNationalParkServiceunderthisdesignation.WhenanNHAisdesignatedbyCongress,theNationalParkServicethenpartnerswithlocalcommunitiestohelpplanandimplementactivitiesthatemphasizeasharedvisionofheritage-basedinterpretation,conservation,andstewardship.

TheissueofprivatepropertyrightsisofgreatimportancetotheBoardofDirectorsofBSCNHA,Inc.,andisfurtheraddressedinChapter3.

ConcurrentPlans

TheproposedBigSkyCountryNHAalignswellwithmanyotherplansandinitiativescurrentlyunderwayintheUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontana.Theorganization,indevelopingitspartnershipnetwork,recognizedtheworkofitspartnersinidentifyingthehistory,thequalityoflife,theeconomicopportunities,andtheresponsibilitiesofthecommunitiesandgovernmentalagenciesincaringforaregionthatwecollectivelyloveandwanttoworktogethertomakebetter.Thesedocumentsincludeplansfocusedoneducation,economicdevelopmentandgrowth,historicpreservation,interpretation,landuse,recreationandnaturalresources,tourismandmarketing,andtransportation.OverthecourseoforganizingtheworkoftheBigSkyCountryNHA,theseplansanddocumentswereusedasfoundationalstudiestohelpevaluatethefeasibilityofanddevelopthisstudyforanNHAinCentralMontana.

UponCongressionaldesignationofanNHA,theseplansandstudies,andothersthatmaybeindevelopment,willbecriticaltoolsinformulatingasharedvisionandcollaborativestrategytoensurethattheplansdonotexist,andarenotimplemented,inisolation.Alistofconcurrentplans,includingtheirintegrationwithBigSkyCountryNHA,isfoundinAppendixI.


TheFeasibilityStudyProcess

WithgrowingcommunitysupportforNHAdesignationandfundingtopursueit,theUMRHAPCformallybegantheprocessofconductingafeasibilitystudy.ARequestforProposalsforaconsultantteamtoleadtheprocesswasissuedinAugust2017,theselectedteambeganworkingontheprojectthefollowingOctober,andthefirstpublicmeetingwasheldinMay2018.ThefeasibilitystudyprocessfollowedtheNationalParkService’sNationalHeritageAreaFeasibilityStudyGuidelinesestablishedin2003.Thestepssetforthintheguidelineshelppartnerswithinaregionestablishwhetherthereisanationallysignificantstory;thehistoric,culturalandnaturalresourcesandlivingtraditionsremainingonthelandscapethatexpressthatstory;andapartnershipnetworkthathasthecapacitytobuildandcarryoutasharedvisionbuiltaroundtheregion’spastandpresent.TheNPSguidelinesarticulatetencriteriathatdemonstratetheseimportantcomponentsofanNHA,andbywhichanyregionseekingdesignationwillbeevaluated(pp.4-5).Thosecriteriaare:

1. Anareahasanassemblageofnatural,historic,orculturalresourcesthattogetherrepresentdistinctiveaspectsofAmericanheritageworthyofrecognition,conservation,interpretation,andcontinuinguse,andarebestmanagedassuchanassemblagethroughpartnershipsamongpublicandprivateentities,andbycombiningdiverseandsometimesnon-contiguousresourcesandactivecommunities;

2. Reflectstraditions,customs,beliefs,andfolklifethatareavaluablepartofthenationalstory;

3. Providesoutstandingopportunitiestoconservenatural,cultural,historic,and/orscenicfeatures;

4. Providesoutstandingrecreationalandeducationalopportunities;

5. Theresourcesimportanttotheidentifiedthemeorthemesofthearearetainadegreeofintegritycapableofsupportinginterpretation;

6. Residents,businessinterests,non-profitorganizations,andgovernmentswithintheproposedareaareinvolvedintheplanning,havedevelopedaconceptualfinancialplanthatoutlinestherolesforallparticipantsincludingthefederalgovernment,andhavedemonstratedsupportfordesignationofthearea;

7. Theproposedmanagemententityandunitsofgovernmentsupportingthedesignationarewillingtocommittoworkinginpartnershiptodeveloptheheritagearea;

8. Theproposalisconsistentwithcontinuedeconomicactivityinthearea;

9. Aconceptualboundarymapissupportedbythepublic;and

10. Themanagemententityproposedtoplanandimplementtheprojectisdescribed.

Overthecourseofabout20months,theUMRHAPCledthecommunitiesofcentralMontanathroughtheprocessthatresultedinthisfeasibilitystudyreportandthedecisiontoformallyseekdesignation.Theyestablishedworkingcommitteesandengagedkeypartners,soughtguidancefromconsultantswithstrongbackgroundsinNHAdevelopmentandmanagement,createdaplanforpublicoutreach,identifiedandinterviewedkeystakeholders,andsoughtreviewoftheirworkbysubjectmatterexperts.


TheStudyTeam

TheUpperMissouriRiverHeritageAreaPlanningCorporationBoardofDirectorsFromtheoutset,theUMRHAPCBoardofDirectorswascreatedwiththebreadthofgeographic,cultural,andprofessionaldiversitycharacteristicofheritageareas.TheboardischairedbyJaneWeber,aCascadeCountyCommissioner,andincludestheMayoroftheTownofCascade,aswellasresidentsofGreatFallsandFortBenton.Boardmembersareprofessionalsinthefieldsofhistoricpreservation,naturalresourceconservation,education,economicdevelopment,tourism,fundraising,accounting,andhistoryandanthropology.Inaddition,theboardincludeskeypartnerorganizationssuchasMontanaStateParks,theLewis&ClarkHeritageTrailFoundation,NorthWesternEnergy,theFortBentonCommunityImprovementAssociation,theGreatFallsDevelopmentAuthority,theMontanaHistoryFoundation,andVisitGreatFalls.Theboardprovidedoversightofthefeasibilitystudyprocessandparticipatedinpublicoutreach.AppendixIIprovidesalistoftheBSCNHA,Inc.,BoardofDirectors.TheFeasibilityStudyTaskForce

AFeasibilityStudyTaskForceservedasthecoreplanninggroupforthestudyprocess.Theboardcreatedthetaskforcetodevelopandreviewspecificcomponentsofthestudy,ensuringthatplanningfollowedNPSguidelines.Thetaskforceincludedmembersoftheboard,aswellasNancyMorgan(PointHeritageDevelopmentConsulting,Inc.)andAugustCarlino(RiversofSteelNationalHeritageArea).MorganandCarlino,bothwithsignificantexperienceinheritageareaplanningandmanagement,wereengagedtoguidethestudyprocess.WithmeetingthetenNPScriteriaastheirgoal,thetaskforcemanagedtheprocessforthedevelopmentofthemes,theresourceinventory,andtheboundary;oversawthereviewofthosecomponentsbysubjectmatterexperts;plannedpublicmeetingsandboardworkshops;facilitatedstakeholderinterviews;and,workeddirectlywiththeconsultantsonthedetaileddevelopmentofthefeasibilitystudyreport.KeyPartners

Inadditiontotheboardofdirectorsandthetaskforce,otherkeypartnerswerealsoengagedinthedevelopmentofthefeasibilitystudy.Theyinclude:

• AlexandraHernandez,NationalHeritageAreasRegionalCoordinator,IntermountainRegion,NationalParkService

• C.M.RussellMuseum• CertifiedLocalGovernment/GreatFalls-CascadeCountyHistoricPreservationAdvisory

Commission• CityandCountyCommissions–CascadeandChouteauCounties• FortBentonCommunityImprovementAssociation• GreatFallsDevelopmentAuthority• GreatFallsMTTourism• LewisandClarkTrailHeritageFoundation• MontanaHistoryFoundation• MontanaStateParks• NorthWesternEnergy• JimOlson,MayorofBelt• MurryMoore,MayorofCascade• RickMorris,MayorofFortBenton• BobKelly,MayorofGreatFalls• SteveTaylor,MayorofNeihart


AmoredetaileddescriptionofthepartnershipnetworkcanbefoundinChapter4,andacompletelistofpartnersisinAppendixIII.

CommunityEngagement

TheFeasibilityStudyTaskForceandtheMarketingCommitteeworkedjointlytodevelopandcarryoutacomprehensivecommunityengagementstrategyforthefeasibilitystudy.Thatstrategyincludedaseriesofcommunitymeetings,engagementofprofessionalswithexpertiseinthehistoryandculturesoftheregion,interviewswithkeystakeholders,outreachtomunicipal,state,andlegislativeleaders,andconsultationwithNativeAmericantribesconnectedtothestudyarea.Thestrategyalsoincludedprintandbroadcastmedia,awebsite,electronicmailingstoalistofover400people,andsocialmediapostings.Eachoftheseactivitiesisdescribedbrieflybelow.Inall,765peopleparticipatedinfeasibilitystudyactivities,withabout1,500participantsengagedintheprocessoverthelastfiveyears.CommunityMeetings

Threeroundsofpublicmeetings–CommunityConversations–heldincommunitiesinthestudyareawerethefoundationofthecommunityengagementstrategy.Inall,therewere393participantsinthesemeetings.Eachroundofmeetingswasdesignedtoinformandengagethepublic,andeachroundbuiltupontheinformationandaccomplishmentsemergingfromthepreviousround.Thismeetingstructurecontributedtothecreationofabroadpartnershipnetworkconsistingofresidents,organizations,andcommunitiesthatshareavisionfortheregion’sfuture.ThefirstroundincludedthreemeetingsinMay2018inFortBenton,GreatFalls,andHelena.ThepurposesofthefirstroundofmeetingsweretointroducetheNHAfeasibilitystudyprocesstothepublicandtogetinputonpreliminarythemes,thestudyareaboundary,culturaltraditions,andspecialplaces.Themeetingincludedtablediscussionswithmapsthatparticipantscouldmarkup,aswellasaquestionandanswersessionthatcoveredthedesignationprocessandtimeline,benefitsofdesignation,andtherightsofprivatepropertyowners.InJanuary2019,asecondroundofmeetingswasheldinFortBentonandGreatFalls.Duringthesecondroundofmeetings,therevisedthemesandboundarywerepresentedtothepublic,andtheStatementofNationalSignificancewasintroduced.Inaddition,thepublichadtheopportunitytodiscussthereasonsforcreatinganNHAandtoshareideasforprojectsthatcouldbeaccomplishediftheregionweretoachievedesignation.ThefinalroundculminatedinasinglemeetinginSeptember2019attherecentlyrestoredBeltPerformingArtsCenterinthecommunityofBelt.Duringthisround,allpreviousaccomplishmentswerereviewedandtheorganizationthatledthefeasibilitystudycommittedtobecomingtheproposedNHA’scoordinatingentity.Finally,theproposedNHA’snamewasannouncedtogreataccolade–BigSkyCountryNHA.Atthismeetinginwhichnonewinformationwaspresentedasidefromthename,writtenpubliccommentswerecollectedwithasheethandedouttoparticipants.StakeholderInterviewsAmongthecriticalcomponentsofNHAdesignationistheconsiderationofregionalcapacity.Regionalcapacityincludesthecapacityofthepartnershipandtheindividualorganizationsworkingtogethertowardsaregionalvision,thecapacityofanorganizationtoadministeranNHA,andthecollectivefinancialcapacitytosustainanNHAthroughtime.Regionalcapacitywasthefocusofinterviewswith25keystakeholders,includingelectedofficials,regionalfunders,civicandplanningorganizations,artscoalitions,andhistorical,environmental,recreation,andconservationgroups.AppendixIVhasalistingofallinterviews.


Thepurposeoftheinterviewswastobuildonandcomplementtheinformationgeneratedinbriefingsandthroughpastpublicengagement,withmanyofthetopicsaddressedintheinterviewsalreadyhavingbeenbroachedduringthoseactivities.Theinterviewsalsoprovidedtheopportunityforpartnersthathaveamajorroletoplayinaregionalheritageinitiativetoexpresstheirsupport,theirconcerns,theirpriorities,andtheirvisionforhowanetworkcanbecreatedandsustained.Thisinformationwascollectedconfidentially,andonlytheaggregateoftheinformationwasreportedtotheboardofdirectors.TheoutcomesofthisprocessaresummarizedinChapter4.SubjectMatterExperts

NationalsignificanceandthemesthatcansupportthatsignificancearefoundationalelementsofanNHA.Assuch,itisavaluableprocesstohavethoseelementsreviewedbyexpertsinthefieldsofhistoryandculturewhoarenototherwisedirectlyinvolvedinthedevelopmentofthefeasibilitystudy.TheexpertswhoreviewedtheworkoftheUMRHAPCcollectivelyhavedemonstratedknowledgeofMontanahistoryandculturefromprehistorytothepresent.Theyinclude:

• EllenBaumler,Ph.D.,independentresearcher• JayBuckley,Ph.D.,AssociateProfessorofHistory,BrighamYoungUniversity• MichaelDuchemin,Ph.D.,PresidentandCEO,TheBriscoeWesternArtMuseum• GeraldGray,Chairman,LittleShellTribeofChippewaIndiansofMontana• RobertSwartout,Ph.D.,ProfessorEmeritusofHistory,CarrollCollege• CarrollVanWest,Ph.D.,DirectoroftheCenterforHistoricPreservation,MiddleTennesseeState

UniversityandDirectoroftheTennesseeCivilWarNationalHeritageArea

AllsixexpertsaresupportiveofthedesignationofanNHAbasedonthenationalsignificance,themes,andresourcesdescribedindetailinChapter3.PlanningWorkshopsOverthecourseofthefeasibilitystudy,theplanningconsultantsledthreeworkshopswiththeboard.Theseareincludedaspartofthecommunityengagementprocessbecauseofthebreadthoftheboard’scomposition,includingthemanycommunities,partners,andinterestsrepresentedonit.Thefirstworkshop,heldinJuly2018,focusedonrefiningthethemesandresources,redrawingaboundarythatalignedwiththoseelements,anddraftingtheStatementofNationalSignificance.Asecondworkshop,heldinFebruary2019,focusedonthemanagementstructureoftheboardandtheproposedNHA.ThatmeetingincludedthedecisionoftheUMRHAPCtocontinueforwardasthecoordinatingentityonceNHAdesignationisachieved.AthirdworkshopinAprilsteppedtheorganizationthroughconsiderationofallpossiblemanagementalternativesfortheregion,includinganNHA,astateheritagearea,alocalheritagearea,andnochange.TheboardunanimouslysupportedtheestablishmentofanNHA.OutreachtoPublicOfficials

TheUMRHAPCBoardengagedpublicofficialsatthefederal,state,county,andmunicipallevelsintheplanningprocess.Outreachentailedspecialmeetingswithcountyandmunicipal,invitationstoallpublicmeetings,andwrittencorrespondenceatkeypointsintheprocess.AninformationalmeetinganddiscussionwasheldinMay2018atthecapitolinHelenathatincludedLieutenantGovernorMikeCooney,theDirectoroftheGovernor’sOfficeofIndianAffairs,theDirectorofMontanaStateParks,theDirectoroftheMontanaHistoricalSociety,theDirectorofMontanaMainStreet,andrepresentativesoftheDepartmentofCommerce,theDepartmentofFish,WildlifeandParks,theBureauofLandManagement,andtheU.S.ForestService.PresentationsweregiventocommissionersofCascade,Chouteau,Fergus,LewisandClark,andPhillipscounties,aswellastheFortBentonCityCouncil.


Themayorsofallfivecommunitieswithinthestudyareaandacommissionerfromeachofthecountycommissionswereincludedinthestakeholderinterviewprocess.Finally,duringthesecondandthirdroundsofpublicmeetings,thefivemayorsopenedthemeetingsbywelcomingparticipantsandvoicingtheirreasoningforsupportingtheheritageareainitiative.MeetingwithLt.Gov.CooneyandMontanaStateofficialsatthecapitol,May2018.CourtesyofKenRobison TribalInvolvement

ThestudyareawastheancestralterritoryoftheBlackfootConfederacy,althoughmanyothertribesconvergedintheregiontohuntthebisonthatwerefoundationalfortheircultures.ThosetribesincludethefourtribesoftheBlackfootConfederacy,knownastheNisitapi(SiksikaorBlackfoot;KainaiorBlood;PikaniiorNorthernPeigan;andPikuniorSouthernPiegan),aswellastheSalish,Kootenai,Pendd’Oreille,Shoshone,Bannock,NezPerce,GrosVentre,Crow,andAssiniboine.TheboardmettwicewiththeDirectoroftheGovernor’sOfficeofIndianAffairs,andcommunicatedwithallofthetribalgovernmentsinMontanawhosemembershadancestraltiestothestudyarea.Dr.RuthannKnudsonprovidedtheinitialcontactwiththetribes,asdescribedpreviously.ChairJaneWeber,whohadpreviouslyworkedwithMontana’stribesduringthedevelopmentoftheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailInterpretiveCenter,wastheboard’skeycontactregardingtribalinvolvement.Leadersindicatedtheirstrongestinterestisinthestudy’shistoricalinterpretation,andthattheirneedforinvolvementwasgenerallylimitedtoreviewofthehistorypresentedinthereport.TheonlyexceptiontothiswastheLittleShellTribeofChippewaIndiansofMontana,headquarteredinGreatFallsandrecentlyaccordedfederalrecognition.TheLittleShellparticipatedintheplanningprocessthroughastakeholderinterviewofTribalChairmanGeraldGray.Furthermore,whenaskedtoappointamembertoUMRHAPCBoard,GrayrecommendedNicholasVrooman,folkloristandhistorian.VroomanandKnudsonbothservedontheboard,andwerekeyinbringingtheirstrongtiestoandscholarlyunderstandingoftheNativeAmericancommunityinMontanatotheprocess.


Print,Broadcast,andWebOutreachDuringtheinitiative,awidevarietyofoutreachmethodswereemployedtoensureresidentshadtheopportunitytoattendpublicmeetingsandprovideinput.Printmediaincludedcommunityposters,aswellaspressreleasestoFortBenton’sRiverPress,theGreatFallsTribune,andBlackEagleNews.Theonlinepublication,TheElectric,alsopublishedthepressreleases.Thepressattendedallpublicmeetings,andalsopublishedfollow-uparticles.AConstantContactlistofnearly500peoplewaskeptuptodateontheinitiative,includingreceivingonlinepostcardsforpublicmeetings.Anonlinesurveywasusedtogatherpublicinput.NoticesofallthepublicmeetingswerepostedontheCityofGreatFallsPlanningDepartmentwebsite.Broadcastmediawasalsohelpfulingettingthewordout,withPSAsonlocalradiostations,aswellasliveradiobroadcastsaboutthemeetingsonSTARadio,CherryCreekRadio,andMontanaPublicRadio.Inaddition,boardmemberswerefeaturedontheVoicesandViewsprograminGreatFalls.OtherPresentationsandMeetings

Inadditiontotheoutreachdescribedabove,BSCNHA,Inc.,representativesgavepresentationstotheChambersofCommerceinGreatFallsandFortBenton,leadershipoftheRepublicanPartyinthearea,severalcivicgroups,andanumberofhistoricalandhistoricpreservationorganizations,tourismandbusinessorganizations,andeducationalorganizations.Inaddition,BSCNHA,Inc.,hostedinformationalboothsattheLittleShellPowwow,theLewisandClarkFestival,andtheFortBentonSummerCelebration,reachingnearly250participantsthroughthoseannualevents.AlistingofallpresentationsisincludedinAppendixV.Fundraising

Anothermeasureofcommunityengagementisthefinancialsupportgeneratedfortheheritageareainitiative.Overthelastthreeyears,UMRHAPCsuccessfullyraisedover$50,000insupportoftheinitiativefromindividualdonors,organizations,andcorporatefoundationgrants.Ofthis,$13,500wasthegiftofindividualsandfamilies.AlistofcurrentandpotentialfundersisincludedinAppendixVI. ResultsofCommunityEngagementAsstatedabove,1,474peoplehavebeenengagedinpublicoutreachoverthelastfiveyears.Thisincluded45presentationsandsixfeasibilitystudypublicmeetings.Thepublicmeetingsdrew393participants,includingrepresentativesofnon-profitorganizations,publicofficials,andresidentsoftheregion.Organizationsfromabroadarrayofsectorsparticipatedinthemeetings,includingtourism,historicpreservation,arts,recreation,chambersofcommerce/economicdevelopment,businesses,civicandfaith-basedorganizations,andthemedia.InvitedparticipantsalsoincludedelectedofficialsfromthecountiesofCascadeandChouteau,thetownsofBelt,Cascade,FortBenton,andNeihart,theCityofGreatFalls,stateofficialsalongwithMontana’sstatelegislature,andMontana’sUnitedStatesMemberofCongressandUnitedStatesSenatorsoffices.Sincepublicofficialsweresometimesunabletoattendduetoschedulingconflicts,membersoftheBSCNHA,Inc.,BoardofDirectorsheldseveralone-on-onebriefingmeetingswiththeMontanaCongressionalDelegation,bothinWashington,D.C.andinthestate,updatingthemonthefeasibilitystudyprogress.SimilarmeetingswereheldwithMontanalegislativeofficials,bothinHelena,Montana,andintheirdistricts.


NextSteps

ThecompletionofthisfeasibilitystudyisthefirststeptowardthedesignationofanNHAintheUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontana.Next,theBSCNHA,Inc.,BoardofDirectorswillworktowardtheintroductionoffederallegislationforthedesignationofanNHA.OnlyanactofCongresscanofficiallydesignateanNHAthroughauthorizinglegislation. Concurrently,theboardwillcontinuetobuildastrongregionalnetworkofpartnersthroughpublicoutreachandcommunityinvolvement.Oneofthekeywaysofaccomplishingthiswillbetobegintheearlyimplementationprojectsidentifiedoverthecourseofthisstudy.Anotherimportanttaskfortheboardwillbetoincorporatenewmemberswhosebackgroundandskillscomplementtheneedsoftheorganizationasitsroleevolves.Hiringstaffwillalsobecriticalfortheorganization’sevolution.Boardandstaffwillexpandfundraisingactivitiesinordertohelpaccomplishprojects,supportthedevelopmentofamanagementplanthatbuildsuponthefindingsofthefeasibilitystudy,andpreparetomatchfederalfundingupondesignation.Oncethedesignationisachieved,theboardandstaffwillworkwiththepartnershipnetworktoensurethecompletionoftherequiredmanagementplanthatwillprovideguidanceforthesubsequenttenyears.

WhyaNationalHeritageAreainCentralMontana?

FromtheBigSkyCountryNHAwebsite:

Heritageareaspresentopportunitiesforresidentsandvisitorstorecognizeandcelebratearegion’sculturalandnaturalassets.Aheritageareaisbothaplaceandaconcept.Physically,heritageareasareregionswithconcentrationsofnationallysignificantnatural,scenic,cultural,historicalandrecreationalresources.

CentralMontanaexemplifiesBigSkyCountry.SpectacularopenhorizonsplungeintodeepravinesandcanyonswheretheMissouriRivercarveditspathacrosstheprairie;evidenceofFirstPeoplesmarksthelandandstoriesofhistoricsteamboattripsandharrowingexplorationescapadesleapfromthepagesofleather-boundjournals.CentralMontana,wheretherealWestcaptivatestheimaginationofarchaeologists,anthropologists,historians,artists,andmodern-dayexplorers,ispoisedforadditionalvisitorsandtheresultingeconomicbenefits.Theregionpossessessignificantnationalhistory,heritage,andresources,datingbacktoatimewhenNorthAmericawasstillavastwilderness.

WithaNationalHistoricTrailandfourNationalHistoricLandmarkswithintheproposedBigSkyCountryNHAboundary,thelandscape,heritage,andhistoryareofnationalsignificanceandwarrantdesignationasanNHA.

ThebenefitsofthecreationofanNHAareknownandhavebeenexperiencedinotherpartsofthenation.StateswithNHAshaveexperiencedeconomicgrowth,increasedtourism,andcommunityprideandvibrancy.ThefederalinvestmentinNHAshashelpedpreservehistoricstructures,rebuilddowntownMainStreetcommunities,educatingchildrenabouttheirheritageandculture,informvisitorsofthehistoryoftheplacestheyarevisiting,andimprovethequalityoflifeforresidents.Theseresultstranslateintotangiblebenefits,includingthecreationofjobs,revenuegrowthforlocalgovernments,andaresultingimprovementoftheeconomyoftheNHA.CentralMontanaispoisedtocapturethissameopportunitywiththedesignationoftheBigSkyCountryNHA.


Lewiswasoverjoyedtohear“theagreeablesoundofafallofwater.”Soonafterhe“sawthesprayariseabovetheplainlikeacolumnofsmoke….[It]begantomakearoaringtootremendoustobemistakenforanycauseshortofthegreatfallsoftheMissouri.”Bynoon,Lewishadreachedthefalls,wherehestaredinaweat“asublimelygrandspecticle[sic]…thegrandestsightIhadeverbeheld.”—June13,1805(inTheJournalsoftheLewisandClarkExpedition,Moulton1983)CourtesyofCharlesFritz

Toachievenationalstatus,agroupofcommunityleaders–countyofficials,mayors,businessleaders,nonprofitorganizations,educators,historians,architects,andmanyothers–setouttoprovethecultural,historicalandnaturalecosystemofBigSkyCountryformacohesive,nationallysignificantlandscape,andtopreparefortheNationalParkServiceandtheU.S.Congressthisfeasibilitystudyasapartoftheprocess.Theinformationcontainedwithinthisreport–theBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaFeasibilityStudy–demonstratesthattheregionpossessesnationallysignificanthistoryandresourcesandthattheproposedcoordinatingentityandregionalpartnershiphavethecapacitytomanageanNHA.ThesetwofactorstogetherjustifytheconsiderationofanNHAdesignationbyCongress.Anunderlying,butnecessary,factorinthecreationofanNHAforcentralMontanaiscapitalizingonnationalparksinMontana–GlacierNationalParkandYellowstoneNationalPark–andthemillionsofvisitorstheydraweachyear.ThecountiesofCascadeandChouteauarecentrallylocatedbetweentheparks.Mosttravelerstothenationalparkswillby-passtheregionbetweenthetwoeventhoughcentralMontanacontainsNationalHistoricLandmarks,aNationalHistoricTrail,scenicandrecreationalattractions,anddowntowncommunitieswithartsandculturalattractions.EstablishinganNHAwilllinkallofthecultural,historical,andrecreationalassetsofcentralMontanaallowingthecommunities,thecounties,andthestatetoharnessthepotentialofincreasedtourismresultingincommunityrevitalization,economicdevelopment,enhancedqualityoflifeopportunities,andanoverallimprovementinregionalpride.


CHAPTER2:INTRODUCINGTHE HERITAGEAREA

“Montana is still high, wide, handsome, and remote. There are many ways of looking at it and many ways of feeling about it. And room for all the ways.” K. Ross Toole

CarrollVanWest,PhD

“High,Wide,andHandsome,”that’swhathistorianandGreatFallsnativeJosephKinseyHowardcalledMontanainhismajestichistoryoftheTreasureState(1943).YouwonderwhereHowardmighthavebeenwhenhecoinedthatphrase.PeopleinthispartofMontanahavetheirownidea–thetopofFirstPeoplesBuffaloJump,wheretothewestthecraggypeaksoftheRockiesstand,ortothenorth,wherefertilefieldsofgrainstretchfordozensofmiles,ortotheeastwherethewatersofthemightyMissouriRiverheaddownstreamtoitsGreatFallsoftheriver,andtheindustrialcitythathasgrownalongbothriverbanks.

Threadedbytheever-wideningwatersoftheMissouri,theBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaisspectacular,enriching,certainlysoulaffirming.Itslandscapeisindeliblymarkedwithlayersofstories,traditions,andhistories,remarkableplaceswhereresidentscarvedouttheirdailylivesandinsodoingcarvedthestoryoftheBigSkyintothenation’shistory.Thosestories,traditions,andhistoriesarecenteredontheUpperMissouriRiver,whichconnectsancientplacesofsignificance,suchastheFirstPeoplesBuffaloJump,withmuchlaterfootprintsofthenationalmovementofpeoplesthatreshapedtheAmericanWestinthenineteenthcenturyandwhothenbuiltmoderntransportation,industrialandirrigationsystemsandairdefensenetworksinthetwentiethcentury.Whattheywroughtshapeswhatwedoandwhoweareinthetwenty-firstcentury.

TheconfluenceoftheMissouriandMariasRiverswhereLewisandClarkmadetheirfatefuldecisionregardingwhichrivertofollow.CourtesyofOverholserHistoricalResearchCenter


TheGreatFallsarea–acombinationofnaturalfalls,rivervalleytrails,andagiantfreshwaterspring–hasbeensignificantforcenturies.Aplacelikenoneotheralongtheriver,theGreatFallscreatedwonder,beauty,andaplaceforreflection.Itsresourcesluredbothhumansandanimals,creatinggoodhuntingopportunitiesforindigenouspeoples.

ThecenterpieceforMontana’smostvisitedStateParkistheGiantSpringthatpours150milliongallonsofwaterdailyintotheMissouriRiver.CourtesyofM.A.McMillan

TheGiantSpringprovidedafreshwatersourceduringwinter’schallengingmonths.ThevariedresourcesoftheGreatFallsarea,indeed,helptoexplaintheplethoraofprehistoricsitesintheregion.Multipleindigenoussocietiesandlanguages,withtheirdistinctivenarratives,traditionalarts,ceremonialcalendarsandrituals,customs,andlifewayssurviveandintersecthere.Overtwohundredyearsagothebisonculturetribes,theAssiniboine,Blackfeet,GrosVentre,Crow,andlatertheSioux,Cheyenne,Chippewa,Cree,andMetiscrisscrossedtheGreatFallsandtookadvantageofitsfordandresources.

Intheearly1800sthevisitorswhocamefromfarawaySt.Louis,thefederallysponsoredCorpsofDiscoveryledbyMeriwetherLewisandWilliamClark,sawtheGreatFallsdifferently–asanobstacle,animpedimentfortheirmissiontofindanorthwestpassagetothewest.Theexpedition,tiedasitwastotheriveritselfbuttouchingonpeoplesandlandsconnectedtothatsamemightyMissouri,isasignificantthematicthreadlinkingsomanystoriesoftheregion--thoseofcourage,ofcuriosity,ofduty,andofcommitment.Ofthe37recognizedsitesincentralMontanaassociatedwiththeCorpsofDiscovery,34areinCascadeandChouteaucounties.

FirstPeople’stipialongtheUpperMissouriRiverlandscape.CourtesyofGayleFisher


InJune1805,Capt.WilliamClarkandfivemenexploredtheareaaroundtheGreatFalls,mappingaportagerouteofabout18miles.Theweatherwashot,andthemencomplainedastheycarriedsuppliesfromonecamptotheother,slappingatmosquitoesandworryingaboutgrizzlybears.Theybuiltprimitivewagonstomakeiteasier,yetitwasstillaharrowing,physicallydrainingexperience.Buttheymadeit.Theportagetheexpeditionmadearoundthefalls,oneofthetruetestsofenduranceoftheentireexpedition,becamethestuffoflegend,andtheroutebecameamostworthyNationalHistoricLandmark.

ButthestoryofwhattheexpeditionencounteredattheGreatFallsfilteredbacktotheothereasterners,thattheMissouristoppedatthefalls,andtherivertrafficthatwouldsoonfollowthefederalexcursionintotheMissouriRiverCountrywouldhavetofindanewconnectingpoint;GreatFalls’stimewouldhavetowait.

FirstcameLoma’sturn,wherein1831neartheconfluenceoftheMissouriandMariasrivers,JamesKippestablishedFortPiegan.Kipp’spostonlyoperatedforayear.ThenSt.LouisfurtradersestablishedFortMcKenzieafewmilesabovetheconfluence.Itwasaplaceofexchange,inbotheconomicsandculture.PrinceAlexanderPhilipMaximillian,aGermanscientist,stayedforseveralmonthsalongwiththeartistKarlBodmer,whopaintedthenewworldandpeopleswhogatheredatthecrossroads.

Bodmer’sworklaunchedtheheritagearea’straditionofbeingasourceofinspirationofartistsofalltype,culminatingfourgenerationslaterintheartofCharlesM.Russell,whoalsocametotheregionfromSt.Louis.FortMcKenzie,unfortunately,wasalsoaplaceofdeath.In1837thepost’sfactorAlexanderCulbertsonlearnedthataboatheadedhiswaywascarryingsmallpox.HeorderedtheboattostopatJudithLandinguntilfreezingtemperaturescouldperhapsmitigatethedanger.BlackfeetIndians,eagerfortradegoods,didnottrustCulbertson.Theyrodetotheboat,becameinfected,andupontheirreturnwestthediseasesoonravagedthetribe.

Left:TheGreatFallsPortageNHLencompassesasignificantsectionoftheLewis&ClarkNationalHistoricTrailandalandscapethatremainsverymuchlikeitwaswhentheCorpsofDiscoveryportagedaroundthefallsoftheMissouri.CourtesyofGreatFallsTribuneRight:AreenactmentoftheportagearoundtheGreatFallsoftheMissouriRiverbytheCorpsofDiscovery.CourtesyofUSDAForestService


Thesmallpoxepidemictookthelivesofanestimatedtwo-thirdsoftheBlackfeetwhohadmanagedtosurvivetheearlierscourgesof1781.DestructivediseasebroughtbyMissouriRiverboatsforeverchangedtheregion’sNativeAmericanhistory.

Inthe1840stradersabandonedFortMcKenzieforanewrivercrossroads,namedFortBenton,aplaceintheriverthathadbeenusedbyNativeAmericansasafordbutforthetradersitbecametheheadofnavigationontheMissouriRiver,alaunchingpointforaseriesofnationallysignificantmovementsthattransformedtheAmericanWest.FortheAmericanfurtrade,FortBentonservedastheendofthelineforaseriesofSt.Louis-controlledtradingposts,atradethatwasquicklyshiftingfrombeaverpeltstobisonrobes,leadingtotheover-killingoftheoneanimalcrucialtoNativeAmericanlifeways.TheturntothebisonrobetradeattractedtheMetiswhocarriedrobesintheirculturallydistinctiveRedRivercartsfromCanadatoFortBenton.JosephKinseyHowardobservedthatthecarts“neversneakeduponanybody.Onastilldayyoucouldhearthemcomingformiles,andseethegreatcloudofdusttheyraised.”Asacrossroadsofexchange,FortBentonofthemid-19thcenturyalsowasacommunitywheremixed-descentfamiliescouldliveopenlyandfindacceptance.

TheCorpsofDiscoverywasthefirstfederalventureintotheheritageareabutFortBentonwouldeventuallymarkthepermanentpresenceofthefederalgovernmentintheregion.In1860FortBentonbecametheeasternterminusforamilitarywagonroadthatwouldconnecttheMissouritoAmericanoutpostsinthePacificNorthwest.AstheresearchofhistorianKenRobisonemphasizes,WestPointgraduateLt.JohnMullandeservesabetter-knownplaceinthepantheonofWesternpathfinders.MullanfirstcametoFortBentonin1853aspartoftheStevensSurveytochartapathfortheNorthernPacificRailroad.Duringhisstayin1854hediscoveredandmarkedtheMullanPass–theeventualplacewheretheNorthernPacificcrossedtheContinentalDivide.SixyearslaterhereturnedtoFortBentonashiscommandanddozensofworkersfinishedthelastmilesofmilitaryroadfromFortWallaWallainWashingtonTerritorytoFortBentonbyAugust1860.TheMullanRoadconnectedbylandtheMissouriRiverwiththeColumbiaRiver,amilitarynecessitycompletedjustasthenationenteredintothehorrificAmericanCivilWar.

A1918paintingbyCharlieRusselldepictinghowNativeAmericansviewedtheencroachmentofsettlersintheUpperMissouriRiverregionofMontana.CharlesMarionRussellTheFireboat,1918,oilonboard,16x25inches,C.M.RussellMuseumCollection,GiftofMrs.WadeGeorgeinmemoryofWadeHamptonGeorge


FortBentonbythetimeMontanabecameaterritoryin1864hadevolvedfromitstradingpostoriginsintooneoftheMissouriRiver’smostimportantshippingandoutfittingpoints.Manyoftheminersandmerchantswhorushedtothegoldminesintheearly1860susedFortBentontostockupfromsuchmerchantsasI.G.BakerandThomasC.Power,andthenheadouttoLastChanceGulch(present-dayHelena)andfromtherereachpreciousmineralfieldsinBannock,VirginiaCity,andButte(allthreeNationalHistoricLandmarks).AsecondwaveofminersusedFortBentonasabasetoexplorethesilverfieldsoftheLittleBeltMountainsinthelate1870sandearly1880s,establishingcampsatBarker,Hughesville,andNeihart,withthelatterbecomingthelargesttownoncetheHudsonMiningCompanybuiltaconcentratorandsmeltertherein1885-1886.

TheroadsouthofFortBentontoNeihartwasmatchedbyanotherFortBentonroadthatstretchednorthtoFortHamiltoninCanada.KnownastheWhoop-UpTrail,thisroadwastheprimaryconnectionbetweenMontanaTerritoryandWesternCanadafortwodecades.Atitspeak,from1874to1883,tradersmovedalmostathirdoftheFortBentontradeonthistrail,allowingMontanaTerritorymerchantstoacquiremostoftherichestobemadefromthewesternCanadianfrontier.WhiskeyflowedfreelyacrosstheinternationalborderuntiltheNorthWestMountedPolicestoppedmostoftheillegaltradeinthemid-1870s.

FortBenton’sNationalHistoricLandmarkdistrictretainsmanyofthebuildingsfromitstimeofnationalsignificance.Anortheastblockhouse(1846-47)oftherestoredFortBentonisoneoftheoldeststructuresinthenorthwest.TheGrandUnionHotel(1882)providedthebestinaccommodationsforthebusinessclass.

TheI.G.BakerHouse–homeofoneoftheregion’sleadingmerchantsandtheplacewhereThomasFrancisMeagherlastdinedbeforehismysteriousdisappearanceintotheMissouri–istheoldestresidenceintheheritagearea.StilltodayyoucanstandonFrontStreetandimaginethescenefrom150yearsagowhenthemenandwomenwhotransformedFortBentonfromafrontiertradingposttoabustlingterritorytradecenterwalkedalongtheriverfrontamidstmountainsoffreightontheleveeandstreetsfilledwithwagons,oxen,andbullwhackers.

AsFortBentonattractedmoreandlargersteamboats,andminesbroughtwealthtotherestofthenation,theU.S.Armyspentalmost30yearsestablishingmilitarypoststoprotectthesetransportationroutesandthebountyinnaturalresourcescomingfromMontana.

Minersonparadein1892alongthemuddystreetsofNeihart,asilverminingcenterintheLittleBeltMountains.CourtesyofTheHistoryMuseum

MassivecargoonthesteamboatleveeatFortBentonawaitingoverlandfreighting.CourtesyofOverholserHistoricalResearchCenter


AyearaftertheendoftheCivilWar,in1866,theU.S.armytransferredtroopstotheMissouriRivertobuildabasetoprotectsteamboattraffictoFortBenton.Themilitarychoseanisolatedsite,namedCampCooke,neartheconfluenceoftheMissouriandJudithrivers.Withagarrisonnumberingabout400,CampCooke(1866-1870)wasthefirstfederalmilitarybaseinMontanaTerritory.

In1867thearmylocatedasecond,largerreplacementpostnamedFortShaw(1867-1891)inCascadeCounty’sSunRiverValley.FortShawservedasamilitarybulwarkagainsttheBlackfeettothenorth.Thefederalpresencedevelopedinconjunctionwiththegovernment’ssteadyencroachmentonBlackfeetlands,forcingtheBlackfeetbytreatyamendmentsin1866and1868intoaneversmallerreservationtract.NamedforCol.RobertGouldShaw,commanderoftheall-black54thMassachusettsintheCivilWar(aregimentmadefamousinthemovieGlory),theforthasavitallyimportantchapterinthehistoryof“Buffalosoldiers”inthepost-CivilWarhistoryofthearmyaswellasitsroleduringtheSiouxCampaignof1876andtheNezPerce/Nee-Me-PoWarof1877.Threeadobebuildings–theonlyadobemilitarystructuresstillstandinginthestate–remainatthefortsite.

ThosewhopassedthroughFortBentoninthe1860schangedmorethantheeconomicsofthenewterritory.Jesuitpriestsin1862leftFortBentontoestablishSt.Peter’sMissionnearSimms(CascadeCounty).AboutadecadelatertheJesuitssituatedthemissionatabeautifulplacealongBirchCreeknorthwestofCascade.Hereinthefallof1883theMetisleaderLouisRielhadtakenresidencewithhisfamilytoteachMetischildren.Riel,amajorfigureinCanadianhistory,stayedatSt.Peter’sforaboutsevenmonthsuntilaMetisdelegationfromSaskatchewanarrivedandconvincedRieltoreturnhometoleadthefightknownastheNorth-WestRebellionof1885.

GustavSohonpaintedthissceneofthefirstarrivalofsteamboatsattheFortBentonleveein1860.LithographbyBowen&Co.,courtesyofKenRobisonThatsameyear,anotherCanadian,JamesJ.Hill,hadledhiscompany,theSt.Paul,Minneapolis,&ManitobaRailway,toitswesternterminusatDevil’sLake(present-dayNorthDakota).Hillandhisinvestorsnextheadedwest,usingtheMissouriandMilkRiversoncetheyreachedMontanaTerritoryasapathwaytotheGreatFalls.Duetotherails,thefallscouldbebypassed;theoldportageroutethathadsochallengedLewisandClark’sCorpsofDiscoverywasnolongeranimpedimenttodevelopment.


The“ManitobaRoad”(later,GreatNorthern)reachedtheGreatFallsin1887.AlmostimmediatelyHill’scompanylaunchedaspurlinetothecoaldepositsatSandCouleetoensureplentyoffuelforthetrains.ThecoalminingeraineastCascadeCountywasunderwayandwouldlastwellintothe20thcentury.Therailroadschangedeverything.FortBentonresidentsandinvestorssoonlearnedthatbeingtheheadofrivernavigationnolongermattered.GreatFalls’timehadarrived.

AthisfledgingGreatFallstownsiteParisGibsoneagerlyawaitedthearrivaloftherailroad.Heunderstoodbetterthanmostthattogrowhisfortunehealsoneededtogrowthecityandsurroundingregion.AnativeofMaine,whereheservedinthestatesenate,GibsonmadehisfirstmarkinMinneapoliswherehejoinedtheracetobuildsuccessfulgrainmills.In1879GibsonheadedforMontana,landingatFortBenton,wherehebeganalumberyardbutsoonrealizedthatthegreatstretchesofprairieineverydirectionofFortBentonbeckonedadifferenttypeoflifestyle,thatofthestockgrower.GranvilleStuart,ConradKohrs,WilliamE.Floweree,RobertS.Ford,RobertVaughnandothershadpioneeredtheprocessofreplacingthewildgameoftheprairie,especiallythebison,withendlessherdsofcattleandsheep.FortBentonnowbecameagatewaytotheopenrangestockgrowingcrazeofthe1880s.Gibsonchosesheep,setupalargeranchnearBelt(CascadeCounty)anddidwellenoughquicklyenoughthathebecamethepresidentoftheMontanaWoolgrowersAssociationin1883.

Gibsonalsohadhisgazeelsewhere,atthefivefallsofGreatFalls,whereheenvisionedanewcitygroundedinelectricity,thecuttingedgetechnologyofthe1880s.HeviewedtheGreatFallsnotasanimpedimentbutasanascentsourceofelectricpowerthroughhydroelectricdamsandpowerhouses.AlongthebanksoftheMissouriRiverin1883-1884,heplannedandthenfiledthetownplatforanewindustrialcity,andbegantheendlesstaskofpromotinghistownandvision.

ModerntransportationwouldmakeGibson’svisionpossible.Thus,hismostimportantconvertwastheManitobaRoad’sJamesJ.Hill,whoafteran1884visitalsounderstoodtheopportunitytobehad–andheaimedhisManitobaRoadforGreatFallswherehewouldbuildhismajormachineshops,employinghundreds.HealsosoldthepowerfulButtemagnateMarcusDalyonthepromiseofGreatFalls.

ThefatherofGreatFalls,ParisGibson(1830-1920)wasanAmericanentrepreneurandpoliticianinterestedinpromotingtheareaforagricultureaswellasindustry.CourtesyofKenRobison


Hillundertookanotherrailroad,theMontanaCentral,toconnectGreatFallstotheterritorialcapitalatHelenaandontothelucrativecopperminesinButte.Inturn,Daly’smammothAnacondaCopperCompanysituatedahugecoppersmelterandtheUpperMissouriRiver’sfirsthydroelectricdamatdramaticBlackEagleFalls–sonamedbyWilliamClark--immediatelyeastofthenewcity.

Intime,thesmelteranddamproducedadistinctivecommunityknownasBlackEagle.ThosewholivedandworkedthereunderstoodthattheGreatFallsReductionWorksatBlackEagleweretheepitomeofwhatmoderntechnologyandindustrycoulddointhe20thcenturyWest.TheBigStackofthecoppersmelterreachedover500feetintotheair.DrawingenergyfromalloftheGreatFallsdams–BlackEagle,Rainbow,Ryan,Morony,andCochrane–thecopperandwireplant,alongwithahugezincplant,helpedtolighttheworldandsupplyoverhalfoftheworld’szincmarket.Intheearly1960s,over2000workedthefactoriesandsmelteratBlackEagle.Thosesameemployeesandtheirfamiliesformedaclose-knitworking-class,multi-ethnicplacethatnurturedastrongsenseofwork,community,andethnicpridethathasneverwaveredevenafterthedemolitionoftheBigStackin1982.LocatedonSmelterAvenue,Borrie’srestaurant,establishedin1938,andthe3-DInternationalrestaurant,establishedin1946,arepoignantandtastyremindersofthedayswhencopperandzincweretrulykinginBlackEagle,whenthebanksoftheMissourihummedwithindustry,andthemanysaloonswerefilledwithtiredworkerswantinganightcap.

TheimpactofGreatFallsindustrializationspreadintothecountryside.Tofuelhisworks,DalydevelopedcoalminesinStockettandSandCoulee,andacquiredandexpandedminesatBelt,asawhollycontrolledsubsidiaryoftheAnacondaCopperCompany.

PromotionaladvertisementforGreatFalls,Montana.CourtesyofOverholserHistoricalResearchCenter

ThestackoftherefineryattheAnacondaCopperMiningCompanyprocessingplantinGreatFalls,Montana.CourtesyofGreatFalls-CascadeCountyHistoricPreservationAdvisoryCommission


During1894-95,over200carpentersconstructedmanyofBelt’sbuildings.Bytheturnofthecentury,BeltwasCascadeCounty’ssecondlargestcityandAnacondahad1,000workersthere.

AroundthesametimeoftheBeltboom,JamesJ.HillgainedeffectivecontroloftheBurlingtonRouteandNorthernPacificRailroadandconnectedtheseothermajorlinestohisGreatFallsoperationsbybuildingaspurlinebetweenGreatFallsandBillings,openingupcentralMontanaforagriculturalproduction.Later,theMilwaukeeRailroadwasbuiltthroughsouthernChouteauCountytoGreatFalls.

Indeed,therailroadsbroughtindustrytoGreatFallsbuttheyalsoprovidedthepathwayforhundredsofthousandsofhomesteaderstocometotheMissouriRivercountryandseektheirfortunesintheearlytwentiethcentury.LuredbythepromiseofirrigationthroughtheNewlandsReclamationActof1902andhypedtechniquesofdrylandfarmingintheextendedhomesteadingactsof1909and1912,theycamefromeverywhere–everystatealongwithahugenumberofnorthernEuropeans.In1910theGreatFallsLandOfficewasprocessingover1,000landclaimsamonth.

Theboomwasmostintensivebetween1905and1915.CityboostersinGreatFallsin1904-1905advocatedforamajorreclamationprojectwestofthecityalongtheSunandTetonRivers,seeingthenewreclamationlawasawaytoaddanotherlayerofeconomicgrowthtotheregion,onenotsodependentonthepowerfulmonopoliesoftheGreatNorthernRailwayandtheAnacondaCopperCompany.

TheHomesteadBoomofthe1910sopenedwinterwheatandbarleyproductionmakingtheGoldenTriangleamongthenation’sleaders.CourtesyofOverholserHistoricalResearchCenter


Thecity’sfounder,ParisGibson,wasnowoneofMontana’stwoU.S.Senators,andwasinperfectpositioninthenation’scapitaltoensuresuccessforthelocalefforttogainwhatbecameknownastheSunRiverProject.Oncecompletedinthenextdecade,themammothengineeringfeattransformedthelandscapewestofGreatFalls.

AhugehighdamontheupperSunRiver,namedforParisGibson,storedwintersnowmeltforitseventualtransferintoaseriesofdiversiondamsandcanalsthatyieldedtheFortShawdivision,areclamationprojectofover16,000acresinCascadeCounty,andasecondtothenorth,Greenfields,whichcoveredtensofthousandsofacresinTetonandCascadecounties.

ThroughouttheBigSkytheimpactofthehomesteadingboomduringthefirsttwodecadescouldnotbemissed.RailroadmagnateJamesJ.Hillsponsoredhisownagriculturalexpertstodemonstratethemosteffectivedrylandfarmingtechniquesforthenewcomers.ParisGibsonusedhisownCascadeCountyfarmasademonstrationofthevaluesofdrylandfarming.GreatFallsandFortBentonbothbecameimportantpointsonwhatfederalandMontanaagriculturalexpertscalledthe“NorthCentralMontanaGoldenTriangle.”Townssproutedwherenonehadbeenbefore;tallgrainelevatorsstoodassentinelsontheprairie.Wheatcropsflourishedatfirstastherainwasplentifulandtheprairiewasfreshlybroken.Butby1917droughtwasstalkingtheland,andwithadrop-offinEuropeandemandoncetheworldwarwasover,thebustwasaharshrealityby1920.Buttheboom-bustofthehomesteadingeramadealastingchangeinFortBentonasthetownbecameanagriculturaltradecenter,settingitscoursefordevelopmentfortherestofthecentury.

HomesteadsandfactorieswereanathematothestockgrowingculturethatstillprosperedamongtheirrigationditchesandsmokestacksofmodernMontana.CharlesM.RussellhadlivedthecowboylifeinCascadeCounty’searlyyearsbutbythenewcenturyheandhiswifeNancylivedinamodest,quaintVictorianhouseinGreatFalls

Determinedtoremindeveryoneofwhathadbeen,andwhatwasincreasinglybeinglost,CharlesM.Russellretreatedacrosshisyardtohislogcabinstudioandbegantosharethroughillustratedletters,sculpture,andpaintingslargeandsmallavisionoftheBigSkyregionthathasforevershapedtheAmericanperceptionofthe“realWest.”

Russellpaintedheroesbutnotthetypesthatpopulatethehistorybooksthen,ornow.Hisherowasthemorecommonplacecowpokeorrancherwhoetchedtheirdeterminationtomakeitinthelanditself.Perhapsmostimportantly,heportrayedNativeAmericansnotthroughaharshscientificlensnorasavanishingpeople.RatherheacknowledgedthehumanityoftheNativeAmericansandremindedeveryonethattheIndianslongagohadearnedtheirplaceintheland,andthatpowerfullessonsofbravery,dignity,andpurposeweretheirstogive,ifwhitescouldlearntolookbeyondtheirprejudices.Hismagnificent“LewisandClarkMeetIndiansatRoss’Hole,”commissionedforthehousechambersoftheMontanaStateCapitol,getsitaboutright.TheSalishdominatethedramaticsceneofcontactandexchange;LewisandClark,settotheside,arealmostanafterthought,astheywereintheNativeAmerican-dominatedandcontrolledlandscapeoftheearlynineteenthcentury.

Russellwasfightinganalmostrear-guardactionagainstthecallsforprogress,change,andmodernization.MostweresatisfiedwithkeepingtheNativeAmericanpastandpresentonthemargins,stuckawayinthereservationstothenorthwest(Blackfeet)andnortheast(theFortBelknapIndianCommunity),oratwhite-controlledboardingschools,suchastheoneatFortShaw(CascadeCounty).Theboardingschooldevelopedin1892oncethemilitaryclosedthefort,basedonawhiteassumptionthatifIndianchildrencouldbeisolatedfromtheirfamilies,thenthechildrenmightbecomeassimilated.


Despitethediscipline,curriculum,andisolation,childrendidnotabandontheirfamiliesorforgetwhotheywere.AgroupofyoungwomenatFortShaw,however,didexcelatbasketballandwerecrownedworld’schampionsatthe1904St.LouisWorldFair.

PeoplemayhaveclappedfortheFortShawgirls,butbackhomethefederalgovernmentkeptonchangingtherulestoopenmorereservationlandforsettlement.TheDawesAllotmentActof1887,combinedwiththeexpandedhomesteadactof1909and1912,costthetribesthousandsofacreswithintheirownreservations.Yetthetribesneverwentaway;theirwarriorsfoughtinWorldWarIandthenthefederalIndianReorganizationActof1934providedthelegalmeansthattheycouldreasserttheirsovereigntyandtakecontroloftheirtribalaffairs.

TheyearsofthefederalNewDealinfactbroughtallsortsofchangestoCascadeandChouteauCounties,animpactstillmeasuredtodaybytheexpressiveGreatFallsCivicCenter,themarvelousArtDecodesignsoftheNorthernMontanaStateFairgrounds(nowMontanaExpoPark),ortheelementaryschoolinFortBentonwiththewordsemblazonedinitsbrickwalls:“IndustryisUselesswithoutCulture.”The1930sgaveruralMontanansbuffetedbytheearlierhomesteadingbust“hopeinhardtimes”ashistorianMaryMurphyhaswritten.Completedbetween1934and1938,theFairfieldBenchFarmsprojectinTetonandCascadecountiestook13,000irrigatedacresandcarvedout129farmsforfamilieslefthighanddryinthebust.Agriculture,eveninthemostdifficulttimes,remainedandremainscentraltothelifeandcultureoftheheritagearea.

TheGreatDepression,ontopofthe1920shomesteadingbust,shatteredGreatFalls’illusionofstabilityandprosperityespeciallyoncethemightyworksoftheAnacondaCopperCompanyatBlackEaglebegantoshredproductionandworkers.Thatdownturnimpoverishedmanybutitprovedtemporary.OncetheUnitedStatesenteredWorldWarIItheworstoftimessuddenlychangedintothebestoftimesinCascadeandChouteaucountiesasdemandforMontanacopper,beef,andwheatskyrocketedandthepopulationofGreatFallssoaredinparticular.

C-54practicinglandingatGreatVittlesFallsAirBase(today’sMalmstromAirForceBase),gettingreadytodeploytoparticipateinOperationstheBerlinAirliftin1948.CourtesyofKenRobison


In1942theArmyAirForcearrivedinGreatFalls,introducingthelatestandmostinfluentialchapterinthestoryoftheU.S.militaryandtheMissouriRivercountry,onethathadbothinternationalandlocalimpacts.TheU.S.Army’sGreatFallsArmyAirBaseforheavybombertrainingwasfinishedamonthbeforeChristmas,1942,whenthefirstB-17bombersarrived.Trainingcontinueduntilthefallof1943.Atthesametime,the7thFerryingGroupestablisheditsbaseattheGoreairfield.ItsmissionwastobeaconnectinglinktoFairbanks,Alaska,thusaninvaluablecogintheLend-LeaseprogramthatsuppliedAmericanaircraftandsuppliestotheSovietUnionduringourAlliedfightagainsttheAxispowers.Oncethebombertrainingended,theLend-Leaseeffortshiftedtothearmyairbase.Bywar’send,over1.7millionpoundsofcargoand8,000aircrafthadpassedthroughGreatFallstoFairbanksandontoSiberia.

OtherplacesacrossthenorthernplainsplayedsimilarsignificantrolesintheAmericanfightduringWorldWarII.ButthemilitarypresenceinGreatFallsdidnotendwiththeAxissurrenderin1945.TheGreatFallsArmyAirBasefirstservedasareservetrainingbasefortheArmyandthenthenewlydesignatedAirForceuntiltheBerlinBlockadeof1948forcedtheUnitedStatestoflysuppliestoWestBerlin.TheGreatFallsAirForceBasewasturnedintoamockBerlinairportsopilotscouldtrainonhowtoapproachandlandinBerlin.Thenin1951thebaseresumeditsinternationalrole,ashometothe29thAirDivision,defendersofthenationfrompossibleairinvasionfromtheSovietUnion.

Theinternationalimpactwasdeepandlasting.Thelocalimpactprovedjustasprofound.Ofcoursetherewasasurgeofpatriotism,buttherealsowasasurgeinthecashboxduetomilitaryspending,andthegrowthofbusinessesandhousingtoservetheexpandingmilitarypresence.Thechangesalsoinvolvedrace,withthearrivalofhundredsofAfricanAmericansoldiers,whofoundfewopendoorsindowntownbusinesses.

BeforeWorldWarII,theblackpopulationofGreatFallshadneverbeenlarge,hoveringinthelowhundredsfordecades.TheUnionBethelAMEChurch,builtin1890,hadlongbeenacommunitycenterfortheAfricanAmericanlaborersandrailroadworkerswhoclusteredinthesouthsideofthecity. Adifferenttypeofcommunitycenterforresidentandsoldieralike,theOzarkClub,becameprominentduringthewarandintheColdWaryearstofollow.

Theclubbeganduringprohibition,sellingsodaintheopenandboozeontheside,butthenreorganizedin1944tobeafull-fledgednightclubwithaswinging,jazzyband,infacttheonlyplaceintheentirestatetofeaturejazzmusicsixnightsaweekandtowelcomeeveryone,regardlessofraceornationality.

OwnerLeoLaMarrbrokeracialbarriers,welcomingallracesathisOzarkClubinGreatFallsduringthe1940sand1950s.CourtesyofKenRobison


ThenightsceneinGreatFallshasneverbeenthesamesince.Thebase’sgreatestsignificancedatestomoderntimesasamilitaryoutpostinthenation’sColdWardefenses,aresponsibilitythatcontinuestoweighonbasecommanderstoday.

NamedMalmstromAirForceBasein1955,itwasalignedundertheStrategicAirCommand,withnuclearmissilelaunchfacilitiesfirstinstalledin1961andwereoperationalatthetimeoftheCubanMissileCrisis.Withinsixyears,Malmstrom’smissilefieldwasthenation’slargest,coveringsome23,500squaremiles.Thebasehassincebeencentraltothecountry’snuclearmissiledefensesystem.Thebase’sgreatestsignificancedatestomoderntimesasamilitaryoutpostinthenation’sColdWardefenses,aresponsibilitythatcontinuestoweighonbasecommanderstoday.

Frombuffalojumpstonuclearmissilebases,thepeoplesoftheheritageareahaveshapedthenation’shistoryandcultureinsubtleandinprofoundways.WhathappenedalongtheMissouriRiverbetweenFortBentonandGreatFallsisnotjustanOldWeststoryevenifsuchfamousnamesasMeriwetherLewis,WilliamClark,Sacajawea,KarlBodmer,MountainChief,BullLodge,RunningEagle,LouisRiel,JamesJ.Hill,MarcusDaly,andCharlesM.Russelldominatethehistorybooks.ThestoriesoftheheritageareaalsoshapetheNewWeststorywithindividualssuchasParisGibsonandcivilrightsactivistAlmaSmithJacobs(wholedtheeffortforGreatFalls’publiclibrary)servingaspowerfulmodelsofhowengagedcitizensinfluencethecourseofhistoryintheirtowns,state,eventhenation.Withtherailroadsystemastheanchor,andtheAirForceprovidingmen,womenandtechnologicalinnovation,theGreatFallstoFortBentonregionbecameacentralplaceinthemodernWestandinthedefenseofthewesternworld.TheheritageareathusblendsthebesttraditionsoftheOldandNewWestsintoaspecialplaceworthcommemorating,celebrating,andpreservingsoallcanlearnofitsbeauty,diversity,heroism,determination,andcommitmenttotheidealsandeventsthatstillmotivateusasanation.


CHAPTER3:NATIONALSIGNIFICANCE,THEMES,RESOURCES,ANDBOUNDARY

“The bond that ties Montanans to the state is woven of many strands. But, before all else, it involves our personal feelings and our pride, as citizens of the state, for its beauty, history, and people.” Mike Mansfield

Introduction

Acrossthevastnetworkofplacesthatcompriseournation,someregionsarenationallydistinctivelandscapes.Theypossessaspecialcharacter,anintangiblesenseofplacearisingfromthehistory,livingtraditions,andculturalandnaturalresourcesfoundthere.OneofthegoalsofthisfeasibilitystudyistoconsiderwhethertheUpperMissouriRiverregionisonesuchlandscape.Thestudyprocessaccomplishedthisgoalbyincorporatingtheidentificationandarticulationoftheregion’spowerfulsenseofplaceandsubstantialcollectionofhistorical,cultural,andnaturalresources.

TheUpperMissouriRiverHeritageAreaPlanningCorporation(UMRHAPC,nowBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,Inc.)workedcollaborativelywiththepublicandapanelofsubjectmatterexpertstodevelopaStatementofNationalSignificancesummarizingtheregion’scontributiontoAmericanhistory;thisissupportedbyfiveinterpretivethemes,thecorestoriesthatconnecttheregion.Inaddition,anInventoryofResources(AppendixVII)wasdevelopedcontainingsignificantplacesandeventsthattangiblyexpressthishistory.

ThischaptercomplementsthehistoricalnarrativeinChapter2withthedevelopmentofaframeworktoorganizetheregion’ssharedstories.Thefollowingpagesincludeadescriptionofthisprocess,theStatementofNationalSignificance,interpretivethemesandsubthemes,andthekeyresourcesassociatedwiththeregion’shistory.ThechaptercloseswithaproposedboundarythatencompassesthesharedstoriesandplacesthatdefinetheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea(BigSkyCountryNHA). IdentifyingStoriesandResources

TheNationalHeritageAreaFeasibilityStudyGuidelines(NationalParkService2003)requireadeterminationofaregion’scontributiontothenationalheritageanddevelopmentofpotentialinterpretivethemes.TheprocesstoidentifythemesemergedfromtheGrandTourIImeetingin2016,withthepreliminarydraftingofsixthemesthatcapturedthehistoryoftheregion.Thesepreliminarythemeswererefinedwithinputfromthreepublicmeetings,aworkshopwiththeUMRHAPCBoard,andreviewbyapanelofhistorians,ethnographers,andotherindividualswithexpertiseintheregion.Ultimately,theregion’shistorywasexpressedthroughfiveinterpretivethemesandtheoverarchingStatementofNationalSignificance.

Also,inaccordancewithNationalParkServiceguidelines,thestudyteamdevelopedaninventoryofhistorical,cultural,andnaturalresourcestorecognizethespecialplacesthatunderpintheregion’simportantstories.Theinventory’sprimarypurposeinthefeasibilitystudyistodemonstratethattheregionhassufficientresourceswithintegritythatcombinetosharethestoriesthatgivetheUpper


MissouriRiverregionitssignificance.Theinventorydemonstratesthattheregion’scollectionofspecialplacescanbeusedtoshareitshistory.Italsohelpsidentifyresourcesthatcouldbenefitfromheritagedesignationthroughpotentialprojectsininterpretation,education,tourism,conservation,preservation,andeconomicdevelopment.Theinventory,presentedinabridgedforminthefeasibilitystudy,laysanessentialfoundationforfutureresearchandshouldalwaysbeconsideredaworkinprogress.

Theresourceinventorycurrentlyencompasses148historical,cultural,andnaturalresources,including99historicandnaturalresources,19museumsandinterpretivecenters,and30eventsandprograms.Theinventoryalsospecifiestheresourcetype,itsrelationshiptotheinterpretivethemes,andlistingintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces,amongotherinformation.

TheinventoryfortheproposedBigSkyCountryNHAcatalogsfourNationalHistoricLandmarks(FirstPeoplesBuffaloJump,GreatFallsPortage,FortBenton,andtheCharlesM.RussellHouseandStudio).Italsoincludes43propertieslistedintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces(10districtsand33individualresources),includingtwonationallysignificantsites,25withstatesignificance,and16bearinglocalsignificance.Inaddition,theregioncontainstheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrail,River’sEdgeNationalRecreationTrail,Helena-LewisandClarkNationalForest,fivestateparks(FirstPeoplesBuffaloJump,GiantSprings,SluiceBoxes,SmithRiver,TowerRock),andtwofederalinterpretivefacilities(LewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailInterpretiveCenter,UpperMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonumentInterpretiveCenter).Alloftheresourceslistedintheinventoryarerelatedtotheregion’snationalsignificanceand/orfiveinterpretivethemes.WhiletheregiondoesnotincludereservationsofanyoffederallyrecognizedtribesinMontana,theinventoryincludesresourcesimportantinthehistoryandlivingtraditionsofmanyofthetribes.Furthermore,theLittleShellTribeofChippewaIndiansofMontana,whichrecentlyreceivedfederalrecognition,isheadquarteredintheregion.

CharlesM.Russell’sdepictionofNativeAmericanswatchingtheCorpsofDiscoverytraveluptheMissouriRivercapturesamomentthatwouldforeverchangetheWest.“IndiansDiscoveringLewis&Clark,”Charles.M.Russell,courtesyoftheMontanaHistoricalSociety


ThesubsequentpagessetforththeStatementofNationalSignificanceandthefiveinterpretivethemesfortheregion,eachfollowedbyasummaryofresourcesthatbestsupportBigSkyCountryNHA’shistoryandculture.

StatementofSignificance

ThevastUpperMissouriRiverlandscapeiswhereapivotaltransitionoccurredfromthelifewaysofIndigenouspeoplestothesettlementofanexpandingAmericannation.Following12,000yearsofhumanhistoryintheregion,thevanguardofthistransformationwastheCorpsofDiscovery,ledbyMeriwetherLewisandWilliamClark,whofollowedtheMissouriinsearchofaNorthwestPassagetothePacific.NorthAmericawouldneverbethesame.TheGreatFallsoftheMissouricreatedaphysicalbarriertorivernavigation,resultinginthehistoricportagefortheCorps.ThisnaturalimpedimentresultedinFortBentonbecomingtheheadofnavigationontheMissouri.FortBentonemergedasanoutpostoftheAmericannationinthisstill-contestedland,ahubforoverlandtradeandnewsettlement.Inlessthanacentury,theUpperMissouriRiverregionwitnessedthetransformationfrommillennia-oldtribalsocietytoalandscapethatsupportedtheriseofaNewWest.

ThevastUpperMissouriRiverlandscapeanditscollectionofnaturalandculturalresourcesunderpintheregion’snationalsignificance.FourNationalHistoricLandmarksandaNationalHistoricTrailclearlytracethetransitionthatoccurredinlittlemorethanacenturyfromthemillennia-oldbisonculturestoaregiondefinedbyagricultureandindustry.

• TheFirstPeople’sBuffaloJumpNationalHistoricLandmark,designatedin2015,wasusedasapishkun–theBlackfoottermforacliffkillsiteforbison–forthousandsofyearspriortoEuro-Americanintrusionintothearea.ThissacredlandscaperemainsapartofNativeAmericanlivingtraditionsintheregion.

• TheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrail,stretching4,900milesfromPointStateParkattheheadwatersoftheOhioRiverinPittsburgh,Pennsylvania,tothemouthoftheColumbiaRiver,passesthroughtheheartoftheproposedNationalHeritageArea(NHA).TheLewisandClarkExpeditionspentmorethantwomonthsintheregionbetweentheirwestboundjourneyin1805andtheireastboundjourneyin1806.Assuch,theregioncontainsmanylandscapesandsitesidentifiedintheirjournals,includingsixthatarerecognizedintrailplanningfortheirhistoricintegrityandtheirinterpretivepotential–DecisionPoint,theUpperPortageandLowerPortagesites,RainbowFalls,GiantSprings,andTowerRock.

• ThemostsignificantsitesassociatedwiththeNationalHistoricTrailarewithintheGreatFallsPortageNationalHistoricLandmark.ThelandmarkdesignationcommemoratestheLewisandClarkExpedition’s12-day,18-miletrekaroundthefivewaterfallsontheUpperMissouriinthesummerof1805,withtheboundariesencompassingthenon-contiguousUpperPortageandLowerPortagesites.

• TheFortBentonNationalHistoricLandmarkDistrict,thefurthestnavigablepointontheUpperMissouriRiver,representsthe19thcenturyopeningoftheWestbythetraders,miners,stockmen,andsettlerswhoarrivedintheareainthewakeoftheLewisandClarkExpedition.

• TheCharlesM.RussellHouseandStudioNationalHistoricLandmarkhonorsthechroniclerofthishistory.Russell,aprofoundlygiftedartist,wasafirsthandwitnessofthefinaltransformationfromnativeculturesandtheopenrangetothehydroelectricpoweredindustryofElectricCityandthefarmsandranchesthatspreadoutunderMontana’sbigsky.


Whiletheresourcesabovemostsuccinctlytellthestoryofculturalconvergenceandhistoricaltransitionintheregion,theBigSkyCountrylandscapeholdsnumeroushistorictrails,districts,sitesandstructures,naturallandmarks,andinterpretivefacilitieswhoseexistenceandintegritysupporttheregion’snationallysignificantstory.Furthermore,thepastandpresentremainconnectedintheregion,asthechoicesmadeoverthiscenturyoftransitionhelpedcreatetoday’slivinglandscape.

InterpretiveThemes

FiveinterpretivethemesunderpinthecompellinghistoryofthetransformationoftheAmericanWest.ThethematicframeworkbelowpresentsthesignificantstoriesoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionandthenaturalandculturalresourcesthatbestexpressthosestories.

Theme1–TheMissouriRiver

TheMissouriRiverflowsfromitsheadwatersintheRockyMountainstotheplainspastthecataractsatGreatFalls,amajorsourceofwaterpower,downtotheheadofsteamboatnavigationatFortBenton,andonthroughtheUpperMissouriRiverBreaks.Formorethan12,000years,theUpperMissouriRiver,itstributaries,andlandscapesprovidedtheecologicalenvironmentwhichsupportedthelifewaysforFirstPeoples,furtrappers,miners,settlers,ranchers,andhomesteaders.

TheNHAboundaryencompassesasegmentoftheUpperMissouriRiverfromTowerRockStatePark–wherethewatersoftheMissouricomeoutoftheRockyMountainsontotheGreatPlainsoftheAmericanWest–totheriver’sconfluencewiththeMariasRivernearLoma,Montana.AlongthismagnificentAmericanwaterway,theGreatFallsoftheMissouripresentanaturalfeaturewithculturalsignificance.TheFallsareanaturalpivotpoint,andtheUpperMissouriRiverprovidesa

geographicalthreadfortheNHAthatencompassesfourNationalHistoricLandmarks–theFirstPeoplesBuffaloJump,CharlesM.RussellHouseandStudio,GreatFallsPortage,andFortBenton.

Thepassageoftimeisetchedonthelandscape,asPre-IceAgegeologicalperioddepositionsandorogenyshapedthewatershed.Amongthemostsignificantgeologicalfeaturesthatremain,TowerRockstandstallasitmarksthetransitionoftheMissouriRiverfromtheplainstothemountains.ThePleistoceneIceAgeleftglacialremnantsfromtheLaurentideIceSheetasfarsouthwestastheRainbowFallsontheMissouriRiver.TheLaurentideIceSheetwrappeditselfaroundtheBearsPawandLittleRockyMountains,leavinganice-freelandscapeintheWhiteCliffsarea.TheicesheetdammedtheriveratRainbowFalls,creatingGlacialLakeGreatFallsthatextendedupstreamtomodernHolterLake.Eventually,GlacialLakeGreatFallsburstthroughthreeoutletscreatingLostLakeandtheShonkinSag,effectivelyreroutingtheMissouriRiver.

EarlyNativeAmericansutilizedtheriverfornavigation,travel,andtocreatestonetoolsderivedfromglacialgraveldeposition.AlsocrucialforthepeoplethatlivedneartheregionweretheriverfordsatFortBentonandabovetheFallsoftheMissouri.ThefordsallowedanimalsandhumanstocrosstheUpperMissouriRiver,andbothwereplaceswheregamewassuretocongregate.

"IhavenotbeenonanyriverthathasmoreofadistinctivepersonalitythandoestheMissouriRiver.It'sariverthatimmediatelypresentstothetraveler,'Iamagrandfatherspirit.Ihaveasource;Ihavealife.'"—WilliamLeastHeatMoon.CourtesyofPointHDC


TheMissouriRiveralsoprovidedthemeanstonavigate,explore,andseekanorthwestpassagebytheLewisandClarkExpedition,whichhelpedshapethecourseofournation.NotonlydidtheExpeditiontoexploretheLouisianaPurchaseandsearchforanorthwestpassagetothePacificOceanresultinunparalleledscientificdiscoveriesontheNorthAmericancontinent,butimmensepolitical,social,cultural,economic,andenvironmentalchangesfollowedinitswake.

TheMissouriRiverplayedacrucialroleinthesettlementofFortBenton–thebirthplaceofMontana.ThecommunityattheedgeoftheUpperMissouriBreakswasthehubofaninternationaltrailandtradenetworkandtheheadofnavigationontheriver.

TherivercarveditswaythroughalandscapethatenticedrenownedartiststocapturethebeautyoftheWestandthecultureswholivedhere.KarlBodmer,JohnMixStanley,andGustavusSohoncametotheUpperMissouriRiverregioninthenineteenthcenturytopaintanddocumentnativeculturesandthespectacularsceneryaroundandadjacenttotherivercorridor.CharlesM.RussellmadetheUpperMissouriRiverregionhishome,andhisartcapturedapeople,alandscape,andawayoflife“WhentheLandBelongedtoGod,”aswellasthechangehewitnessedfirsthand.

TheMissouriRiverdropsover550feetinjust21miles,whichprovidedanopportunityforhydroelectricdevelopmentuniqueintheworld.Fivedamswereconstructedwithina12-milestretch,includingRyanDambuiltin1915.CourtesyofGreatFalls-CascadeCountyHistoricPreservationAdvisoryCommission

Finally,theriverhasbeen,andstillis,asourceofhydro-powergenerationprovidedbyaseriesoffivedamsintheregion,supportingindustrialandresidentialdevelopmentoverthelast130years.ThedevelopmentopportunitythatParisGibsonsawinthetremendousvolumeofwaterthunderingoverthefivewaterfallsredefinedtheregioninthe20thcentury.Thatpowerinitiallyprocessedareasilverandultimatelyhelpedtomine,transportandprocessthemineralsproducedbytheAnacondaCopperMiningCompany,oneofthelargestsingleindustrialcustomersofanyAmericanutility,leadingtotheelectrificationofcommunitieslargeandsmallacrosstheUnitedStates.

Theme1Resources

Theregion’slandscapeisdefinedbytheMissouriRiver,oneoftheUnitedStates’mostsignificantnaturalresources.Theriveranditsrelatedresourceshighlightthenaturalforcesthatcreatedthelandscapeacrossgeologictime,settingthestageforthewayinwhichpeopleusedthisregionoverthe


past12,000years.Theriveristhethreadthatconnectstheculturalstoriesthatplayedoutacrossthelandscapeovertime.Today,fourNationalHistoricLandmarksdemonstratethechronologyofthesestories–FirstPeople’sBuffaloJumpNHL,theGreatFallsPortageRouteNHL,theFortBentonNHL,andtheCharlesM.RussellHouseandStudioNHL.Eachoftheseisdescribedinfurtherdetailinthesubsequentthemes.

TheGreatFallsoftheMissouriincludesfivewaterfalls.Fromupstreamtodownstream,theyareBlackEagleFalls,ColterFalls,RainbowFalls,CrookedFalls,andGreatFalls.ThenaturalfordsaboveandbelowthefallswerecriticalforthemigrationofmassivebisonherdsandNativeAmericanhuntingandsurvival.ThefallsweretheimpedimentthatforcedtheCorpsofDiscoverytoundertaketheirhistoricportage,spendingsignificanttimeintheregiononboththeiroutboundandhomeward-boundtrips.ThefallsalsocontributedtothedevelopmentofFortBentonastheheadofnavigationontheMissouriRiverandahubofinternationaloverlandtrade.

Later,thepowerofthefallswasharnessedfor20thcenturyindustrywithaseriesofhydroelectricdams,includingBlackEagleDam,RainbowDam,CochraneDam,RyanDam,andMoronyDam.ThefallsandthedamsareeligiblefortheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesandofferinterpretiveopportunities,whiletheRiver’sEdgeNationalRecreationTrailcombinesrecreationandinterpretationforalmost60milesalongbothsidesoftheriver.

BeltCreek,andtheMarias,Roe,Smith,Sun,andTetonrivers–tributariestothemightyMissouriwithinthestudyarea–offercurrentandfutureopportunitiesfornaturalresourceconservationandeducation,aswellasinterpretationatpublicaccesspoints.Similarly,theCarterFerryprovidesanunusualvisitorexperienceforcrossingtheMissouri,whilehistoricbridgesinFortBentonandGreatFallsareanotherwayforpeopletogetoutovertheriver.

TheUpperMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonumentInterpretiveCenterandtheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailInterpretiveCenter,bothoverlookingtheMissouriRiver,provideexcellentinterpretationoftheriverandsurroundinglandscapes.FortBentonistheprimaryaccesspointforthosefloatingtheWildandScenicMissouriRiver.

Finally,theBeyondtheDamBikeRaceandMissouriBreaksTriathlonareannualeventsthatcombineheritageandrecreationforresidentsandvisitorsalike.

Theme2–FirstPeoples

TheFirstPeoplesoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionincludetheancientbison(buffalo)culturetribesworld-renownedastheMysticWarriorsofthePlains.Theirverynames–Assiniboine,Blackfeet,PlainsChippewa&Cree,Cheyenne,Crow,GrosVentre,LittleShellChippewa,Metis,andSioux,withleaderssuchasRedStone,MountainChief,LittleDog,BigBear,BullLodge,LouisRiel,RockyBoy,DullKnife,PlentyCoups,SittingBull,andCrazyHorse–arouseimmediaterecognitiongloballyfortheculturalgeographyandhistoryoftheUpperMissouri.

EvidenceofhumancommunityincentralMontanadatesto12,700yearsagowhenAnzickChild–theoldestknownburialinNorthAmerica–andhisrelationsflourishedintheregion.Theancientpresenceoftoday’sancestorscanstillbereadonthelandscapeandseenintheunbrokenlineageofarcheologicalandmaterialcultureartifactsprotected,displayed,andarchivedintheregion’smuseums,libraries,andsites.ThemostsignificantoftheseisFirstPeoplesBuffaloJumpStatePark,aNationalHistoricLandmark.

TheUpperMissouriRiverregionhaslonghadasymbolic,sacred,culturalsignificancetotheFirstPeoples–thenatureofthelandscapecreatedbytheriverandfallsalsoledtoplacessuchasFirst


PeoplesBuffaloJumpNationalHistoricLandmark,theGiantSprings,andtheriverfordsthatopenedtheSunRiverValleyandtheJudithBasin.

Someofthenation’sfoundingstoriesofundauntedcourage,ruggedindividualism,andself-relianceholdmeaningonlyinrelationshipandcontrasttotheFirstPeoplesofthisregion.PrimaryimagesofacollectiveAmericanidentity,suchasLittleDogandMountainChief,arerootedintheUpperMissouriRiverregionofMontana.

Furthermore,thisUpperMissouriRiverregionembodiestheplaces,artifacts,documents,andsurvivingmemoryofthemountainmanandfurandrobetradeera,LewisandClarkandthehistoryofnationalexpansion,theIndianWarsandmilitarypresence,theepicoccupationsofmercantilism,mining,logging,ranching,farming,andthegloballyrecognizedhistoric,traditional,andcontemporarytribalandWesternart.EachofthesethreadswovenintothenationalfabricisrepletewithinsightsforunderstandingthetransformativehistoryofEuro-Americanincursionuponnativelifeastheysucceededinmaintainingtheirstatusasindigenoussovereignnations.

OnestorythattouchesthisregionisthatofMetisleader,LouisRiel,whowasteachingatSt.Peter’sMissionwhenhewasrecruitedtoleadarebellionintheCanadianRedRiver.ThestoryofRielandtheMetisisintegraltothehistoryofwesternCanadaandtopresent-dayMetiswholiveinCentralMontana.

TheUpperMissouriplainsupportedmillionsofbison,whichprovidedaplentifulresourceforindigenouspeoples.InaregionwiththemostextensiveindigenousbisonculturepopulationinNorthAmerica,theUpperMissouriisstillIndianCountry.Multipleindigenoussocietiesandlanguages,withtheirdistinctivenarratives,traditionalarts,ceremonialcalendarsandrituals,customs,andlifeways,surviveandintersectthroughoutthisregion.Becauseofthesignificanceandinfluenceofmodernindigenouscultures,MontanaandtheUpperMissouriRiverregionledthenationthroughaconstitutionally-mandatedIndianEducationforAll,astatewideeducationalethicforopennessandtruthandreconciliationbetweenthestateandnationalsocietiesandindigenoussovereignnations.

LouisRieltaughtattheSt.Peter’sMissionboysschoolbeforehelefttoleadtheMetisandCreeinthe1885RedRiverRebellion.CourtesyofKenRobison

TheFirstPeoplesBuffaloJump,aNationalHistoricLandmarkandMontanaStatePark,isthelargestbisonjumpinNorthAmerica.ThesitewasusedbytheBlackfootConfederacyandmanyothertribesformillenia.CourtesyofMontanaStateParks


Theme2Resources

AlthoughonlytheLittleShelloftheChippewahavetheirheadquartersintheregiontoday,allthetribesidentifiedabovesharedtheUpperMissouriregionasahuntinggroundthroughouttheprehistoricandhistoriceras.TheMissouriRiverandthefordsthatgaveaccesstothelandsonbothsideswerecriticalresourcesforthetribes,butFirstPeople’sBuffaloJumpNationalHistoricLandmark,partofMontana’sstateparksystem,isthemostsignificantremnantofthispast.ThesitewasusedbyfourtribesoftheBlackfootConfederacy,knownastheNisitapi(SiksikaorBlackfoot;KainaiorBlood;PikaniiorNorthernPeigan;andPikuni,SouthernPiegan,orBlackfeet),aswellastheSalish,Kootenai,Pendd’Oreille,Shoshone,Bannock,NezPerce,GrosVentre,Crow,Assiniboine,andLittleShell.InitiallylistedintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesastheUlmPishkunin1974,thesitewasdesignatedanNHLin2015.Thesiteisoneoftheoldest,largest,andbest-preservedcliffjumplocationsontheNorthAmericancontinent,andservesasawindowintonearly6,000yearsofindigenousculture.Itincludesstonesurfacearchitecturethathelpedchannelbisontothecliff’sedge,stratifiedbisonbonedeposits,severaltipiringconcentrations,andsubstantialevidenceofceremonies.Together,allofthesenationallysignificantarchaeologicalresourcesunderscoretheparamountpositionofthissiteamongNorthernPlainsbisonculture.

ManysitesintheregionprovideanopportunitytounderstandtheimpactofEuro-Americanincursionuponnativelife.TheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrail,describedinmoredetailunderTheme3,followstheroutethatresultedinopeningtheWesttoAmericantradeandsettlement,settingthestageforaconvergenceofcultures.TheoldfortwithinFortBentonNationalHistoricLandmarkandFortShaw,listedintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces,aswellasthetrailsandtradingnetworkstheyprotected,wereestablishedasthenationmovedwestward.TheFortBentonTradingPost,includingthehistoricoriginalblockhouse,iswell-interpretedunderthemanagementoftheRiversandPlainsSociety.Whilesomeinterpretationexistsfortheothersitesandtrails,thereremainsasignificantopportunitytoexpandeducationandinterpretation.Withtheexceptionofthemonumenttothe1904WorldChampionGirls’BasketballTeamandfivenewinterpretivesigns,FortShaw,especially,hassubstantialpreservationandinterpretationneeds.

TheSt.Peter’sMissionandUrsulineComplexthrivedbetweentheearly1870sandtheearly1900s.Theremainingchurchstillholdsservices.CourtesyoftheGreatFalls-CascadeCountyHistoricPreservationAdvisoryCommission

JesuitpriestsultimatelylaunchedtheirChristianizingcampaignamongtheBlackfeetatSt.Peter’sMissionneartheMullanMilitaryRoadin1874.ThemissionevolvedintoaschoolforindigenouschildrenwiththehelpoftheUrsulinenuns,whoestablishedMt.Angelaatthesitein1884.Theschoolforgirlsopenedin1885with11pupils(allBlackfeet)andgrewtoover200studentsbetween1890and1896.St.Peter’sMissionChurchandCemetery–bothofwhicharelistedintheNationalRegister–and


theremainsofMt.Angelaserveasremindersofthetransformativemeetingofculturesinthisregion.TheUrsulinesmovedtheirmotherhouseandboardingschoolforgirlstoGreatFallsin1912.TheUrsulineAcademyislistedontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesandcontainsasignificantarchivecontainingrecordsfromareaMissions.

Historic,traditional,andcontemporarytribalandWesternartintheregioncompriseanotherclassofsignificantresources.Thecontinuedcreationoftribalartiscriticalfortheintergenerationalsharingofcenturies-oldpractices.Theartworkcreatedbynativeandnon-nativepeoplesalsoplaysaroleindocumentingthetribes’traditionsandhistories.InternationallyrenownedartistslikeKarlBodmer,JohnMixStanley,andCharlieRussellcapturedoncanvasabisonculturethatwasfastdisappearingbythetimetheyborewitnesstoit.Russell’sartoftenportrayedhistoricaleventsfromthepointofviewofnativecultures.TheC.M.RussellMuseum,whichincludestheartist’shomeandstudioNHL,isthemostimportantrepositoryofpaintings,drawings,sculpture,andtraditionalnativeartsintheregion,andisrecognizedasoneofthenation’sbestWesternArtmuseums.

Today,theLittleShellChippewa,whoreceivedfederalrecognitioninDecember2019,isheadquarteredinGreatFallsinCascadeCounty.Theirannualpowwow,whichdrawsseveralhundrednativeandnon-nativepeopleeachAugust,istheregion’smostimportanteventforsharingandperpetuatinglivingtraditions.ThemuseumsinFortBenton,aswellasSummerCelebrationheldeachJuneinthecommunity,withthousandscommemoratingthefurandrobetradeeraofsharedcultureamongnative,Euro-American,andCanadianpeoples.

BlackfeetElders,ledbyChiefEarlOldPerson,participatedinthe150thAnniversaryoftheLameBullTreatyatOldFortBenton.CourtesyofKenRobison

MembersofthenewlyfederallyrecognizedLittleShelltribeattheirannualpowwowatFirstPeoplesBuffaloJumpStatePark.CourtesyofKenRobison


Theme3–TheLewisandClarkExpedition

TheLewisandClarkExpedition,1804-1806,wasaU.S.militaryexpeditiontaskedbyPresidentThomasJeffersontoexplorethenewlyacquiredLouisianaPurchaseandthePacificNorthwest.TheExpeditionleftarichwrittenrecordoftheflora,fauna,ethnography,andgeologyofthelandsthroughwhichtheytraveled,andservedasthevanguardofexplorationandsettlementintheAmericanWest.TheMissouriRiverwasthehighwayfortheLewisandClarkExpeditionandofferedthebesthopeoflocatinganorthwestpassage.AttheMariasRiverconfluence,theExpeditioncorrectlychosetofollowthetrueMissouri.Then,theyfacedthedauntingchallengeofportagingaroundtheGreatFalls.TheExpedition’sexperiencesinthisregionprovedcrucialtothesuccessoftheirjourney.

The1804-1806missionoftheLewisandClarkExpedition,formallyknownastheCorpsofDiscovery,wastofollowtheMissouriRivertoitssource,documentingthelandscape,collectingfloraandfauna,andmeetingindigenouspeoples.ThemembersoftheExpeditionleftthefirstwrittendescriptionoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionaspartofthejourneythroughthelandsoftheLouisianaPurchase-themostsignificantlandacquisitioninthehistoryoftheUnitedStates.Thepartyhad33people,includingsoldiers,civilians,Metis,Clark’sslaveYork,andtwointerpreters–FrenchCanadianToussaintCharbonneauandhisShoshonewifeSacagawea,andtheirinfantsonJeanBaptiste.

TheExpeditionnavigatedalongtheUpperMissouriRiverandtributaries,followingtoday’sLewis&ClarkNationalHistoricTrailthroughtheUpperMissouriBreaksNationalMonument.Theexpedition’sfirstcriticalchallengewassuccessfullydeterminingthecourseofthreeprairierivers–theMissouri,theMarias,andtheTeton.AwrongdecisionwouldhavejeopardizedtheentireExpedition.

PortraitsofCaptainMeriwetherLewis(1807)and WilliamClark(ca.1810)byCharlesWillsonPeale.CourtesyofIndependenceNationalHistoricalPark

Clark’shanddrawnmapoftheGreatFallsoftheMissouri.TheJournalsoftheLewisandClarkExpedition,Moulton1983


WhiletheLewisandClarkExpeditionrepresentedthefirstEuro-Americanpresenceintheregion,theyencounteredcommonlyusedindigenoustrailsandageographymarkedbyshiftingpoliticalalliances,trade,raiding,andwarfare.TheExpeditionfollowedtheMissouriRiverthroughthisarea,butthelackofcontactwithnativeswasagrowingconcern,astheExpeditionneededhorsestocrosstheRockyMountains.

TheShoshoneinterpreterSacagawea,theonlywomanamongthe33membersoftheexpedition,playedanintegralroleinthesuccessoftheExpedition.Inadditiontoherlanguageskills,herverypresencecontributedtotheExpedition’ssuccess,ashavingawomanandchildinthepartyhelpedassurenativepeopletheyencounteredoftheExpedition’speacefulintentions.Moreover,herabilitytorecognizelandmarksfromherchildhoodwascriticalfornavigationatkeypointsinthejourney,andherfamiliaritywithedibleplantsandrootshelpedfeedeveryone.WhenshebecamesickatLowerPortageCamp,curingherillnessbecameparamount,soshecouldresumeherdutiesasmother,wife,andaidinthenecessarytaskofobtainingShoshonehorses.Menweredispatchedtoanearbysulphurspringtobringbackitshealingwaters.

WhentheExpeditionencounteredfivewaterfallsontheMissouriRiver,theyportagedthe18-milesaroundtheGreatFallsoftheMissouriinabouttwoarduousandback-breakingweeks.Theportagewasmadeevenmoredifficultbybrokenterrain,pricklypearcactus,hailstorms,andnumerousgrizzlybears.BecauseofthisportageandtheExpedition’sresultingin-depthknowledgeoftheregion,theyspentamonthalongthisstretchoftheMissouriRiverontheiroutboundtripandreturnedagaintotheregionontheirjourneyhomeinthesummerof1806.TheportageroutetheExpeditionfollowedaroundthefallsisnowdesignatedtheGreatFallsPortageNationalHistoricLandmarkandisapartoftheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrail.AccordingtotherevisedNHLnomination(August1984),theGreatFallsPortageNationalHistoricLandmarkconsistsoftwodiscontiguoussectionsofthetrailthatremainlargelyasLewisandClarkmighthaveknownthem.

AftertheirreturntoSt.Louisin1806,theExpedition’saccountwaswidelycirculatedinthemediathroughoutthecountry,andenticedadditionalexplorerstoseekouttheUpperMissouriRiverregion.That,inturn,ledtotheexpansionofthebeaverfurandbisonrobetradeinthearea,aswellasfurtherexplorationandeventualsettlement.TheLewisandClarkjournalsandthestoriesoftheExpeditioninspiredartistslikeCharlesM.Russell,anddeveloperslikeParisGibson,thefounderofGreatFalls.

Eventoday,theLewisandClarkjournalslurethousandsofvisitorstowalk,rideorcanoeinthefootstepsoftheseexplorers.

ThemouthofPortageorBeltCreekandtheMissouriRiveratSulphurSprings,whereLewisfoundhealingwatersforSacagwea,ispartofGreatFallsPortageNationalHistoricLandmarkandaHighPotentialHistoricSitealongtheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrail. CourtesyofKenRobison


Theme3Resources

TheproposedNHAcontainsthemostconcentratedgroupofsitesinthenationthatareassociatedwiththeLewisandClarkExpedition,includingseveralofnationalsignificancebecauseoftheircriticalimportancetothejourney.Thewesternandeasternjourneyroutesbothcrossthroughtheregion,partofthe4,900mileLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTraildesignatedin1978tocommemoratetheexplorationofAmerica’snewly-acquiredLouisianaTerritoryandbeyond.Thetrail,whichstretchesfromPittsburgh,PennsylvaniatoAstoria,Oregon,highlightsthescientificknowledgeandthepolitical,social,cultural,economic,andenvironmentalchangesthatfollowedintheCorpsofDiscovery’swake.ThetrailispartoftheNationalTrailsProgramoftheNationalParkService,oneofthefirstsuchdesignatedroutesinthecountry.PertheamendedNationalTrailsSystemAct(1983),managementplansfornationalhistorictrailsidentifyHighPotentialSites,whicharesitesrelatedtotheroutethatprovideanopportunitytointerpretthehistoricsignificanceofatrailduringitsperiodofuse.Historicsignificance,scenicquality,relativefreedomfromincursion,andthepresenceofhistoricremnantscontributetoaparticularplacebeingdesignatedasaHighPotentialSite.

TheGreatFallsPortageNationalHistoricLandmarkwasdesignatedtohonortheundauntedcourageoftheLewis&ClarkExpeditionfortheirportagearoundthefallsoftheMissouri.CourtesyofKenSievert


AlongtheNationalHistoricTrail,theGreatFallsPortageNationalHistoricLandmarkcommemoratesthearduousportagearoundthefallsinthesummerof1805.AccordingtotherevisedNHLnomination(1984),theGreatFallsPortageNationalHistoricLandmarkconsistsof7,700acresintwodiscontiguoussections,whichremainprimarilyasLewisandClarkmighthaveknownthem;bothsectionsareidentifiedasHighPotentialSites.SignificanteventsoccurredatsiteswithintheNHLBoundaries.

OnesuchsiteintheLowerPortagesectionisthesulphurspringwhosewatershelpedSacagawearecoverfromaseriousillness.

TheUpperPortagesectioncontainstheremainsofacampwheretheExpeditionstayedinJulyof1805andagaininJulyof1806.Lewiscachedbotanicalsamplestheresohecouldretrievethemonhisreturn.HealsoleftbehindtheexperimentalironframeboatbuilttohisspecificationsinPittsburgh.TheGreatFallsPortageNHLisamongthefewsectionsofthehistoricrouteoftheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailthatcanbeidentifiedandmappedusingWilliamClark’soriginalsurveynotes.ThedesignationasanNHLwasbaseduponthenationalsignificanceoftheeventandthehighintegrityoftheresource–thelargelyunimprovedlandscapewithinwhichtheeventtookplace.

DecisionPoint,theconfluenceofthecombinedMarias-TetonandMissouririvers,isalsorecognizedbytheNationalParkServiceasaHighPotentialHistoricSitealongtheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrail,andliesjustwithinthewesternedgeoftheUpperMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonumentundertheBureauofLandManagement.ThesitemarksadecisiontheoutcomeofwhichmayhavemadethedifferencebetweensuccessandfailurefortheExpedition–choosingthewrongroutewouldhavecosttheexpeditionvaluabletime,potentiallyderailingitcompletelyifthedelayresultedinawintercrossingoftheRockyMountains.

DesignatedaMontanaStateParkandaHighPotentialHistoricSite,TowerRockcausedLewistowrite“Atthisplacethereisalargerockof400feethighwhichstandsimmediatelyinthegapwhichtheMissourimakesonitspassagefromthemountains…thisrockIcallthetower.”(July13,1805)CourtesyofMontanaStateParks


TowerRock,aMontanastatepark,isalsolistedinNationalParkServiceplanningasaHighPotentialHistoricSite.ItstandsatthevisualboundarywheretheMissouriRiverflowsfromtheruggedterraincharacteristicoftheRockyMountainstothebroad,flatplainswherebisonroamed.MeriwetherLewis’trekupthelandscapelandmarkisanothericonicmomentintheexpedition.Notonlydidthissiteprovidethefirstglimpseofthemountainousterritoryahead,butitalsorepresentedtheexpedition’sleave-takingofthebountifulplainstheycomparedtotheGardenofEden.

ThreeotherplaceswithintheproposedboundaryarelistedasHighPotentialSites.RainbowFallswasdubbedHandsomFallsbyLewisinhisadmiringdescriptioninJune1805;today,itisovertoppedbythehydro-electricproducingRainbowDam.GiantSpringsisafirstmagnitudefreshwaterspringthatadds150milliongallonsofwatertotheMissouriRivereachdayfromtheMadisonAquifer.ItwasvisitedbybothLewisandClarkandistheoriginoftheRoeRiver,whichflows200feetbeforeemptyingintotheMissouri.TheNationalRegistersiteofthespringiswithinGiantSpringsStatePark,fromwhichanextensivenetworkofrecreationaltrailsareaccessible.SquareButte,ahighlyvisiblenaturallandmarkthatLewiswroteaboutonbothdirectionsofhisjourney,isalaccoliththatwasformedmillionsofyearsagobyanintrusionmagmathroughweakerlayersofrock.Privatelyowned,thebutteretainsstrongvisualintegrityonthelandscape.

ThenationallysignificanthistoryoftheLewisandClarkExpeditioniscurrentlythatwhichenjoysthemostextensiveinterpretationintheregion.Meaningfulpublic-privatepartnershipsarebuiltaroundsharingthisstory.In1998,theLewisandClarkNationalForestandlocalpartnersopenedtheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailInterpretiveCenter,afacilitythathousestheNationalHistoricTrail’slargestinterpretivecenter,theheadquartersoftheLewisandClarkTrailHeritageFoundation,andtheWilliamP.ShermanLibraryandArchives.AnnuallyinJune,theLewisandClarkFestivalheldhereincludesthePortageRouteChapteroftheLewisandClarkTrailHeritageFoundation,theNationalForestService,andotherlocalpartners,drawingmorethanathousandparticipants.AtDecisionPointandtheUpperMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonumentInterpretiveCenter,theBureauofLandManagementplaysaroleininterpretingtheLewisandClarkexpedition.DespitethethoroughtreatmentoftheCorpsofDiscovery’shistory,thedensityofexpedition-relatedsitesintheregionleavesmanyopportunitiesforconservationandinterpretation.

Theme4–AFarDistantLand

TheremotelandscapeoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionisetchedwiththehistoryofanexpandinganddevelopingnation.FortBentonopenedMontanaTerritorytoevolvingfurandbisonrobetrade,transportation,commerce,settlement,andranching.

ThesuccessfulreturnoftheLewisandClarkExpeditionandcirculationoftheirrichlydetailedandwidelypublishedjournalsenticedotherexplorationintheUpperMissouriRiverregion.By1831,St.LouisbasedfurtradingfirmsestablishedFortPiegan,thefirstofaseriesoftradingpostsontheUpperMissourifacilitatingcontactbetweentradersandindigenouspeoples.Settlementcouldnothappenuntilimmigrantslearnedtolivewiththenomadicindigenouspeoplesofthearea,mainlythetribesoftheBlackfootConfederacy.

Drivenbytheextremelylucrativefurandbisonrobetrade,constructiononFortBentonbeganin1846,andthefortcametolifewiththefirstresidentsin1847.Duetothisauspiciousbeginning,thecommunityofFortBentonistheoldestcontinuingsettlementinthestate.Thefortcateredtotraders,hunters,adventurers,land-seekers,desperadoes,andothersmixingwithindigenouspeoples.Ontheriverbesidethefort,heavilyloadedmackinawsandkeelboatstransportedhidesandfurstothe“states.”


SomefiftyyearsaftertheCorpsofDiscoveryexpedition,theU.S.CongressauthorizedfoursurveystodeterminearouteforthePacifictranscontinentalrailroads.IsaacIngallsStevens,thefirstGovernorofthenewlyestablishedWashingtonTerritory,wasselectedtoserveasCommanderofthePacificRailroadSurvey’snorthernroutebetweenthe47thand49thparallels.

HisdutiesalsoincludedservingasSuperintendentofIndianAffairsfortheregion.StevenswasthearchitectoftheLameBullTreatyin1855betweenindigenoustribesandtheU.S.government,whichledtoannualIndianannuitiesandestablishmentoftheBlackfeetIndianAgencyinFortBentonandaGovernmentFarmatSunRiverCrossing.StevensenlistedJohnMullantoexploremuchofthelandalongtheproposedrouteforarailroad,andasaresultofhisworkonthesurvey,Mullanwaschosenin1857tobeginconstructionofa624-milemilitarywagonroadthroughtheregion,connectingFortBentonontheMissouriRiverwithFortWallaWallaontheColumbiaRiver.

ThefirstmilitaryuseofthenewroadwasMajorGeorgeBlake’sFirstDragoonsin1860.TheMullanMilitaryWagonRoadcompletedtheNorthwestPassagethroughtheRockyMountains,theNorthwest’sfirstinterstatehighway.

GoldstrikesinsouthwestMontanaTerritory(1864)fueledtheUpperMissouriRiversteamboatera(1860-1890),bringingasurgeofactivityleadingtotheestablishmentofthetownofFortBenton.SteamboatstransportedthousandsofpassengersandmassivecargofromSt.LouisuptheMissouritoFortBenton.Assettlementandcommerceincreasedintheregion,militaryprotectionbecamenecessary.The1stUSVolunteerInfantry(GalvanizedYankees)arrivedatFortBentoninthespringof1865,becomingthefirstU.S.ArmyunitstationedinMontanaTerritory.AseriesofpostsfollowedalongtheupperMissouriandYellowstonerivers,includingFortShaw(1867)intheSunRivervalley,toprotectcommerceandsettlersalongtheMullanRoad.

By1878,FortBentonwasabustlingcommunitywheresteamboatscarriedminersandsuppliestotheMontanaTerritory.CourtesyofOverholserHistoricalResearchCenter

ThesteamboatJosephineattheFortBentonlevee,oneofmanysteamersthatpliedtheMissouritotheheadofnavigation.CourtesyofOverholserHistoricalResearchCenter


Settlers,miners,andsoldiersembarkedonroadsandtrailsfromFortBenton.Likespokesonawagonwheel,transportationroutesradiatedfromFortBentonineverydirection.TheMullanRoadevolvedintotheBentontoHelenaRoad,whiletheWhoop-UpTrailledtothesettlementofwesternCanada.

Theme4Resources

Duringtheroughly80yearsbetweenLewisandClark’spassagethroughtheregionandthearrivaloftherailroadinthe1890s,theregionallocusofactivityfortheexpandingAmericannationwasFortBenton.Fromfortandtradingposttosteamboattownandtrailhub,thecityliveduptoitsnicknameasthe“BirthplaceofMontana.”Themajorityofsitesintheregionassociatedwiththiseraarelocatedinornearthemodern-daycommunityofFortBenton.TheFortBentonNationalHistoricLandmarkDistrictwasdesignatedin1961underthe“WesternExpansion”theme,with“Transportation”asasubtheme;thelistingwasupdated,andtheboundaryclarifiedin2012.

Itsperiodofsignificancestretchesfromthe1840stoabout1890,afterwhichoccurredashiftintransportationfromsteamboatstorail.TheNHLdistrictincludes13contributingresourcesrelatedtotrade,settlement,andcommerceduringthesteamboatera–theoriginalFortBentonBlockhouseandFort,CityHall/TheOldEngineHouse,theleveeandbridge,theGrandUnionandPacifichotels,bankingandmercantileestablishments,andthehomeofprominentcitizenI.G.Baker,whobeganagroceryandmercantilestoreinFortBentonthatlivesonintoday’sHudsonBayCompany,Lord&Taylor,andSaks,Inc.

TheGrandUnionHotelstandsasalandmarkinFortBenton,offeringthefinestaccommodationstotravelerspastandpresent.CourtesyofKenSievert

TheFortBentonNationalHistoricLandmarkDistrictliesalongtheMissouriRiverwaterfront. CourtesyofOverholserHistoricalResearchCenter


AnotherclassofresourcesassociatedwiththeexpansionintoafardistantlandarethetradeandmilitarytrailsthatextendedfromFortBenton.

WagonsonBakerStreetheadedoutonthetrailsthatbeganinFortBenton. CourtesyofOverholserHistoricalResearchCenter

TheseincludetheMullanMilitaryWagonRoad(aportionofwhichwaslistedintheNationalRegisterin1975aspartoftheOldU.S.Highway91HistoricDistrict),theWhoop-UpTrail,andtheFortBenton-FortMacLeodTrail.InternationalcollaborationtomarkettheseandconnectthemtoothersignificantwesterntransportationroutesthroughtheOldFortsTrailsinitiativeisunderway,butmorepreservation,interpretation,andcoordinationarepossible.Furthermore,theUpperMissouriRiverBreaksInterpretiveCenterinFortBentoninterpetstheNezPerce(Nee-Me-Poo)NationalHistoricTrail,servingasaNationalParkServicepassportlocationalongthetrail.Otheropportunitiesexisttoexpandthestoryofthistransportationnetwork,suchasthepresentlyunmarkedRiplingerTrail,whichbeginsinSunRiverandstretchesnorthtoFortWhoop-Up.

NorthwestoftheGreatFallsoftheMissouri,intheSunRiverValley,athirdgroupofresourcesisclustered.FortShawwasestablishedalongtheMullanRoadbytheUnitedStatesArmyin1867,guardingthatrouteuntil1891.FollowingtheArmyoccupation,FortShawservedastheIndianIndustrialSchoolforNativeAmericanchildrenfrom1892to1910.TheFortShawHistoricDistrictandCemeterywereaddedtotheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesin1985.Othersitesintheregionreflecttheearliestdaysofranchersandstockmen.ThehomesteadbelongingtorancherandbusinessmanRobertVaughnisonesuchplace.ListedintheNationalRegister,Vaughn’sranchwasthefirsthomesteadinwhatwasthenChouteauCounty(1869).ThestonebarnbuiltbyJ.C.Adams,aFortBentonwagonbosswhobecamearanchertosupplyFortShaw’sbeef,isanother.TheonlyRomanesqueRevivalstonebarnwestoftheMississippi,thebarnwasbuiltin1882andlistedintheNationalRegisterin1974.Themagnificentstructurepresentsanopportunityforpreservation,interpretation,andeconomicdevelopment.Finally,theSunRiverCrossinghadbeeninusesinceprehistorictimesbeforeitwassurveyedaspartoftheMullanRoad.ThesiteservedasatradingpostreliantonexchangewiththeBlackfeet,astagecoachstop,andabusytollbridgeoverwhichpassedgoodsheadingforsouthwestMontana’sgoldcamps.


Finally,theUpperMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonumentInterpretiveCenterisamodernfacility,apublic-privatepartnershipamongtheBureauofLandManagement,theCityofFortBenton,andtheRiverandPlainsSociety,andsituatedonthebanksoftheMissouriinFortBenton.OverlookingthestriatednaturalfeaturescharacteristicoftheBreaks,thecentercontainsinformationonsteamboating,tradeandtrails,culturalconflict,nativespecies,andrecreation.

Theme5–TheNewWest

The1890ssawdramaticgrowthincommerce,settlement,andindustrialdevelopmentfueledbycoalminingandnewelectricalpowerfromdamsnearthefledglingcityofGreatFalls.Thearrivalofrailroadssparkedbothindustrialdevelopmentandanagriculturalhomesteadboom.

Thecenturyofchangerolledon,andastransportationmovedfromthewatertorails,thewayinwhichpeopleusedthevastlandscapeoftheUpperMissouriRiverregioncontinuedtoevolve.Commerce,thegovernment,themilitary,miners,andsettlersallfollowedseparatepathsintheirexploitationofthevastresourcesoftheWest.Sometimesthosepathsoverlapped,sometimestheycameintoconflict,butalwaystheyleftcultural,economic,andenvironmentalchangeintheirwake.

ThediscoveryofcoalinmassivelayersfromBelttoStocketttoSandCouleefuelednewrailroads,whichinturnopenedlandandcommunitiestoindustrialgrowth.Similarly,thediscoveryofsilverintheLittleBeltMountainsbroughtstampedesthatledtominingcampsatBarker,Hughesville,andNeihart,bringingnewdemandsforFortBentoncommerce.

DrawnbyLewisandClark’sdescriptionoftheGreatFallsoftheMissouriRiver,ParisGibsonvisualizedacommunityasanindustrialmega-power.HecalledonaMinneapolisfriend,James.J.Hill,topartnerintheenterprise,withthevisionofGibsonandthefinancesofHill.Bytheendof1884,thepopulationofthenewlyplattedtownwasapproximately200.JamesJ.Hill’sSt.Paul,Minneapolis&ManitobaRailroadarrivedinGreatFallsin1887.

TheGreatFallsWaterPowerandTownsiteCompany(GFWPTC)wasincorporatedin1887,basicallytotakeoverthelandsandpowersitesheldbyHill.Atthefirstannualmeetingheldinlate1887,Hillheld49,980sharesofthetotal50,000.Themainbusinessofthecorporationwassellinglotsandby1890therewere3,979peopleinresidence.AroundthesametimeGibsonorganizedtheGreatFallsElectric

Are-enactmentfeaturingCapt.CharlesRawn,7thInfantry,attheRegimentalCommander’sQuartersathistoricFortShawonthe150thanniversaryin2017.TheCommander’sQuarters,oneofthreeadobebuildingsremainingtoday,wasconstructedin1867.CourtesyofKenRobison


LightandGasCompanywhichprovidedelectricityfromasmallsteamplantforafewdowntownbusinessesandsomecityarclights.

ThebigbreakthroughfortheGFWPTCcamewhenthetheBostonandMontanaConsolidatedCopperandSilverMiningCompanypurchasednearly500acresforasmeltingoperationonthenorthbankoftheMissouritobepoweredbyadamimmediatelyaboveBlackEagleFallstobebuiltbytheGFWPTC.

Thetownsite,electricalandrefining/smeltingcompaniesgrew,mergedandchangedovertimeuntilby1900GreatFallspopulationwasnearly15,000;theAnacondaCopperMiningCompany(ACM),wheresomeofthegreatmetallurgicaladvancesofthe20thcenturyoccurred,occupiedthesmeltersite;andtheMontanaPowerCompanyofNewJersey,poweredwhathadbecomeoneofthelargestsingleindustrialcustomersofanyAmericanutility,theACMCompany.ByharnessingthepoweroftheMightyMo’,GreatFallsdevelopedtheelectricalpowertomine,smelt,andtransportButte’scopperandotherregionalminerals.

Townandcountrysidecontinuedtodevelopintandem.GrowingsettlementandoverhuntinginMontanacontributedtothenear-exterminationofbison,amajorfactorintheregion’stransitionfrombisontobeef.Duringtheopenrangeranchingerafromthe1870stotheearly1900s,massivecattleherdsinthetensofthousandsroamedtheopenrange,followedbylargeflocksofsheep.CharlesM.Russellcapturedthe“WestthatWas”instoriesand“wordpictures,”chronicledbyavastcollectionofmorethan4,000worksofart.

Russellcapturedoneofthemanychallengesofhaulingfreightoverland,thatofcontrollingateamofhorseswithasingle“jerkline.”CharlesMarionRussell,“TheJerkline,”1912,oiloncanvas,24.25x36inches,C.M.RussellMuseumCollection,GiftofFredBirch

Farmingfollowedtheopenrangeera.Wheatflourishedinyearswithgoodmoistureasthelandwasplowed,andtherailroadsprovidedfastandreliableshipmentoftheharvesttomarkets.Theland’sgeomorphologywasandisexceptionalforwheat,earningtheregionbetweenGreatFalls,Havre,andConradthedistinctionofbeingMontana’sGoldenTriangle.ThefirstflourmillintheGreatFallsareawastheCataractMill,builtin1885.


WhentheHomesteadActof1862wasenlargedbytheU.S.Congressin1909,itcausedatsunamiofsettlementintheUpperMissouriRiverregion.TheGreatFallsLandOffice,whichservedNorthCentralMontana,processedbetween1,000and1,500filingsamonth,andtheGreatNorthernRailroadtransportedover1,000immigranttraincarsinthespringof1910.TheGreatNorthernRailroadledthepromotionoftheareawithavigorouscampaignextollingthevirtuesofdry-landfarmingandofferingimmigrantslowfares.

Agriculturerequiredconsistenthydrationoftheland.In1907,theUnitedStatesReclamationServiceapprovedthedevelopmentoftheSunRiverirrigationsystemtowatervastagriculturalproductionontheplains.Thesystemwasseenasnecessarytosupportagriculturethatcould,inturn,sustainthegrowthofGreatFallsasmajorcity.Oneofthemostuniqueengineeringfeatsinthecountryatthetime,constructionbeganin1908andcontinuedinphasesoverseveraldecades.Dry-landfarmerswerelesssupportiveofthesystemthantheregion’sindustrialists.However,theregionunderwentsevereagriculturaldepression1917-1923duringyearsofdrought,convincingresidentsofthesystem’simportance.

The20thcenturysawcontinuedgrowthofallaspectsoftheregion.GreatFallsgrewexponentiallyasthe“ElectricCity”becamethe“powerhouse”torefineandproducecopperwire,cable,ballbearings,andmore.

TheexpandingindustriesmadeCascadeCountyamagnetforimmigrantslookingformill,industryandminingjobs.ManynationalitieswiththeirvisibleethnicdifferencemeldedtocreatethecommunityofBlackEagle,immediatelyadjacenttotheACMCompanysmeltersiteonthenorthbankoftheMissouri.By1920,ACMatBlackEaglealsocontainedthelargestzincplantintheworld,producinghalfoftheworld’szinc.Downtothepresent,thefallshavebeenacontinuousandrenewablesourceofhydroelectricity.

Agriculture–farmingandranching–remainsamainstayoftheregionaleconomyandanessentialcomponentofculturalidentity.TheGoldenTrianglecontinuestoproducequalitygrainsthathavespurredthedevelopmentofnumerousmillsandagriculturalmanufacturingfacilities(pasta,malting,biofuels,andheritagegrains).Theregionisanationalleaderingrainproduction,includinghardredwinterwheatandmaltbarley,aswellasproductionofbeefcattleandseedstockcapitalforregisteredcattlebreeding.

AgricultureisalsocentraltothecultureandeconomyoftheHutterites,anAnabaptistreligiousmovementwhosepeoplefledEuropetoescapepersecution.CascadeandChouteaucountiesarehometosevenHutteritecolonies,andaneighthcolonyissituatedalongthenorthwesternborderofCascadeandTetoncounties.ThefirstMontanacolonywasestablishedin1911.Today,menwearingtraditionalblacktrousersandhatsandwomenintheirbrightlycoloredapronsandmatchingkerchiefsareacommonsightinlocalstoresandfarmimplementbusinessesinthearea.TheirlongstandingrelationshipwiththelandandtheGermaniclanguageandheritagetheyhaveretainedhascreatedauniqueblendofnewandoldtraditionsthroughouttheBigSkyCountryNHA.

AhighspeedgrainloaderontheraillinestartsChouteauCountywheatonajourneyacrosstheglobe.CourtesyofGayleFisher


FarmingandranchingprovideHutterites’primarysourceofincome.Usingmoderntechnology,theyproduceandsellmeat,milk,andvegetablestolocalgrocers,andmenhawktheseitemsalongwithhomemadenoodlesandbakedgoodsatthelocalsummerfarmersmarketsinCascadeandChouteaucounties.ArecenteconomicstudypreparedbytheUniversityofMontana’sBusinessandEconomicResearchandMontanaStateUniversity’sDepartmentofEconomicsandAgriculturalEconomicsfoundMontana’sHutteritecommunitiescollectivelycontribute$365.3millionannuallytoMontana’seconomyandprovide2,200permanentjobs.Hutteriteagriculturaloperationsproduce90%ofMontana-grownhogs,34%ofthestate’sdairy,and16%ofthestate’spoultry.TheLehrerleutHutteritecoloniesinCascadeCountyproduce95%ofthestate’seggs.InSeptember2017,apartnershipof30Hutteritecommunitiesopeneda$9millionegggradingfacilityinGreatFalls,processingmorethan280millioneggsannuallyfornationalmarketsthroughCostcoandAlberstons,amongotherretailers.

Laterinthe20thcentury,theUpperMissouriregionbecameaplaceofgreatstrategicvaluetonationalsecuritywithGreatFallsLend-LeaseandbombertrainingairbasesduringWorldWarII,andnuclearmissilesitesasAmericaenteredtheColdWarandtheatomicera.Today,MalmstromAirForceBaseisoneofthemostimportantstrategicmilitarydefensesitesinthenation.

Theme5Resources

Thearrivaloftherailroadinthelate1880spermanentlychangedtransportationandsettlementintheregion.Therailroadcouldmovepeople,stock,andgoodsoverlandquicklyandeconomicallyinallseasons,supplantingrivertransportandopeningpreviouslyinaccessibleland.TheharnessingofthefallsforindustryigniteddevelopmentinGreatFalls.ThetownsofBelt,Cascade,Monarch,andNeihartfollowed.Acrosstheregion,numerouspropertiesanddistrictslistedintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesstandtestamenttothiseraofdramaticdevelopment.Becausesomanyoftheselate19thandearly20thcenturyresourcesareextant,thepotentialforprojectsinpreservation,interpretation,andeconomicdevelopmentissubstantial.

TheCharlesM.RussellHouseandStudioNationalHistoricLandmarkissignificanttothehistoryoftheUnitedStatesforthecontributionmadebytheartofRussellinestablishingtheimageoftheWestandisthemostsignificantresourceassociatedwiththistheme.CharlieRussell’sartbeautifullyportrayedbigskylandscapes,atthesametimechroniclingthewholehistoryoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionandtheculturesthatlivedhere.ThelandscapeoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionisever-presentinhisworks.RussellbeganpaintingrightaroundthebirthofthisNewWest.RussellarrivedinMontanain1880,whenfirstpeoplesstilldependedonthebisonhunt,andcowboysherdedcattleandsheepontheopenrange.Hewitnessedtheendofthiswayoflife,expertlycapturing,celebrating,andcritiquingthroughhisart.AtinycottageinCascade,whereCharlieRussellandhiswifeNancylivedatthebeginningoftheirmarriage,contributestohisstory,asdoestheNHLhouse(1900)andlogcabinstudio(1903)thatisnowpartoftheC.M.RussellMuseum.

NancyRussellreportedthatCharlieneverfinishedapictureanywhereelseafterhisstudiowascompletedin1903.TodaytheirhomeandRussell’sstudioareaNationalHistoricLandmarkownedbytheC.M.RussellMuseum.CourtesyofEllenSievert


Theseriesoffivedamscapturedwater’spowertotransformrawmaterialsfromMontana’sminesintoindustrialtreasuresandexpandedproductiontomeetthedemandsoffurtherdevelopmentinthestate,includingmunicipalgrowth,railwayelectrificationandlargeirrigationprojects.Thedams,powerhousesandtransmissionlineshavethepotentialtoaddsignificantlytothehistoryoftheindustrythat“wiredtheworld.”TheAnacondaCompanyandBlackEaglecommunitydependedonthecopperwireproducedwithhydroelectricity,leavingbehindastronglegacyofcommunitypride.ThisindustrycatalyzeddevelopmentthroughouttherestoftheGreatFallscommunity,includingtheCentralBusinessHistoricDistrict,withmanycommercialandpublicbuildingsamongits99contributingresources.AlsosignificantistheGreatFallsRailroadHistoricDistrict,includingtoweringtwindepotsfromtheChicago,Milwaukee,andSt.PaulRailroadandtheGreatNorthernRailroad,alongwiththeArvonBlockandthreedozenothercontributingproperties.Thecopper-domedCascadeCountyCourthouseisthecenterpieceofthe257contributingpropertiesintheGreatFallsNorthsideResidentialDistrict.TheEastsideNeighborhoodHistoricDistricthas36primarilycraftsman-styleresidentialcontributingpropertiesthatdatetothefirsthalfofthe20thcentury.ThemuchsmallerWestBankandGreatFallsHighSchooldistrictsarealsopartofthisera’sexpansion.

Theriseofranchingandfarming,includingthehomesteadboom,isreflectedinresourcessuchastheNorthMontanaFairgroundsHistoricDistrictinGreatFalls,theSunRiverReclamationArea/GreenfieldsIrrigationDistrictintheSunRiverValley,andtheKorpavaraFinnishhomesteads.Today,thelivingtraditionsofbothranchingandagricultureareseeninthelargefarmsandranchesstillinoperationintheregion,theGoldenTrianglethatproducessomeofthenation’shighestqualitywheat,andmillssuchasMontanaFlourandGrain,whoseextremelyhigh-qualityflourisindemandaroundtheworld.

InBelt,theCommercialHistoricDistrictdatesto1896.Amongits15contributingresources,thecrownofCastnerStreetistheBeltPerformingArtsCenter,theoldKnightsofPythiasTheater,restoredin2019.OtherdevelopmentinBeltisfollowing.Tothesouth,alongKing’sHillScenicByway,themountainousterrainrisestowardminingterritoryinMonarchandNeihart.InMonarch,acommunity-basedgroupisleadingpreservationoftheMonarchDepot,whichisunderconsidertationforNationalRegisterlisting.

TheBeltPerformingArtsCenter,restoredin2019,ishometotheBeltValleyShakespearePlayersandhostsnumerousotherculturalartsandeducationalactivitiesthroughouttheyear.CourtesyofAmyOlson

TheMonarchDepot,underrestorationbytheMonarch-NiehartHistoricalGroup,representstheopeningoftheWestthroughrailtransportation.CourtesyofEllenSievert


AConceptualBoundary

TheproposedBigSkyCountryNHAboundarydefinesalandscapethatencompassesthehistoryandsignificancedescribedinthepreviouspages.TheboundaryincludesallofCascadeCounty,aswellastheMissouriRivercorridorinChouteauCountytoDecisionPointatthemouthoftheMariasandTetonrivers.

ElementstoConsiderinDefiningaBoundary

TheprocessofestablishingthisconceptualboundaryfortheBigSkyCountryNHAhasbeenaworkinprogressfromtheconceptionoftheideatocreateanNHA.Initially,theproject'sstudyregionwasbroaderinsizethantheproposedarea,takinginallofCascadeandChouteauCounties;thepartofLewisandClarkCountyalongtheMissouriRivertotheGatesoftheMountains;andtheUpperMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonument.PartlyduetopublicinputandinternaldiscussionamongtheUMRHAPCBoard,anarrowerprojectareawasproposedthatfollowedtheMissouriRivercorridorfromFortBentontotheGatesoftheMountainsandalsotookintributariesBeltCreekandtheSunandSmithRivers.Asthefeasibilitystudyunfolded,themesandresourcesweremoreclearlyarticulatedfirstthroughamanagementworkshop,andsubsequentlywithreviewbythesubjectmatterexperts.Basedonthesedevelopments,aswellasfeedbackonthenarrowboundarypresentedatthefirstpublicmeeting,theUMRHAPCproposedanotherrevisedboundary.Thenew,revisedboundarytookinnotonlytheriverandkeyresourcesbutalsothelandscapefeaturescapturedinRussell’sartandthevastspacesinbetweenwheretoday’sMontananslivetheirdailylivesimbuedwiththehistoryandheritageoftheregion.Theproposedboundaryandtherationalebehinditweresharedwiththepublicatthesecondandthirdroundsofpublicmeetings.Thisprocessofcarefullyexamining,andthenlayeringuponeachothertheregion’straits,traditions,andactivitiesthatareimportanttotheregion’sheritage,resultedinaboundarythatiscomprehensive,easilydefined,anddefensible.Considerationwastakenintoaccountforhistorical,cultural,natural,andrecreationalresources,thestoryandhistoricalnarrativeasitrelatestotheseresources,thepatternofhumanactivityonthelandscape,andnaturalandphysicalfeaturesthatmaycreateobviouslimitsforthestudyareawhendrawnonamap.AsstatedearlierintheFeasibilityStudy,privatepropertyrightsarenotimpactedbyland'sinclusioninanNHAboundary.Theboardemphasizedtheimportanceofprivatepropertyrightsbypassingaresolutionin2017,acknowledgingtheirrespectoflandowners'rightstomakealldecisionsabouttheirownproperty(AppendixVIII).Intheend,thedeterminationfortheproposedboundary,resultedfromtheexaminationofthefunctionofhumanactivitythatdefinedcentralMontana,bothhistoricallyandinthecurrentday,establishingtherationaleforitsdelineation.

HistoricalandFunctionalElementsofCentralMontana

ThespatialcomplexityofBigSkyCountyNHAincentralMontanaincludestheprehistoricandhistoricbisoncultureofMontana’sindigenouspeoples,historicaleventsfromtheLewis&ClarkExpedition,industryincludingminingandsmelting,agricultureandranching,acrossavastregionthatinitiallyrequiredthestudyareatobeinclusiveenoughtoreflectthehistoricalandfunctionalinterrelationshipsofthestudyarea.Theserelationships,whenoverlaidwiththeresultsoftheresourceassessments,helpednarrowthescopeoftheregionduringtheplanningforthefeasibilitystudy.Theentireregionwasstudied,however,toensurethatthepredominanthistoryanduniquesenseoftheplacewerenotdiffusedorlost.


GeophysicalandTopographicalAspectsofCentralMontana

ThephysicalcomplexityofcentralMontanaisasinglevastlandscapecomprisedofdifferentgeologicalfeatures–prairies,canyons,buttes,rivers,mountains–anddottedwithcommunitiesthatrangefromruralagrarianvillagestotownsandurbanareas.Theregionisinterconnectedbyasystemofroads,rivers,andotherland-basedfeatures.Itwasdetermined,earlyinthefeasibilitystudyplanningprocess,thattobasetheboundarysolelyonaphysicalresource–suchasaroadorariver–mayormaynotwork.Therefore,aproposedstudyareathatfollowedtheMissouriRiveranditsnearbywatersheddidnotincludeallofthecriticalhistoricalresourcesorhumanactivitywithintheregion.TheMissouriRiver,therefore,becameastructure–aspine–fromwhichtheresourcesoftheregionwereplotted,creatingaskeletalframeworkthatsupportedtherationalefortherefinementandredrawingofthestudyarea.

Culture–TheHumanDimensionofCentralMontana

Peopledefinetheplaceswheretheylive,anditisthispatternofhumanactivityuponthelandscapethatcreatestheculturalidentityofaregion.Itisoftentheirviewortheirassociationwithalocalethatmakesthemincorporatetheirhomeorcommunityintoamoreextensivephysicaldelineation.

IntheBigSkyCountryNHA,theinterconnectedrelationshipofpeopletothelandhasexistedforthousandsofyears.IndigenouspeoplewerethefirsttoliveandworkthelandsofcentralMontana,asseasonalresidences,huntinggrounds,andsacredsites.TheinteractionbetweennativepeoplesandthelandcontinuestohelpshapeanddefinetheuniquecharacteristicsandtraditionsanduniqueculturalcharacteristicsandtraditionsofcentralMontana.

Historically,specificculturalgroupsweredrawntosettlethelandsofMontana,adaptingtoalandscapeandenvironmentdrasticallydifferentfromeasternNorthAmerica.Theadvancementofagrowingnationcreatedanintersectionofnativecultureswiththosefromotherpartsoftheworld,sometimescoexisting,sometimesclashing,settingoffachainreactionofeventsthroughoutmodernhistorythatforeverchangedthelandofBigSkyCountyNHAandthepeoplesthatlivetheretoday.

Thetraditionsofpeoplehaveco-mingledandbeenhandeddownovergenerations,contributingtoasenseofcommunityandplacethatcharacterizesthedistinctidentityofBigSkyCountryNHAtoday.Anexaminationofhowpeopleassociatewitheachotherwithintheregion,historicallyandcurrently,helpeddefinetheinterrelationshipsofhumanactivityanddefineaboundarybasedonculturaltraditions,settlementpatterns,andwork.

ThePoliticalDemarcationsofCentralMontana

PoliticalboundariesareoftenthemostconvenientdemarcationsforNHAs.Theyarenotidealboundaries,however,becausetheyaredrawnforpurposesotherthaninterpretinghistoricaleventsorstories,andtheydonotnecessarilyrecognizetheimportanceofcultureindefiningaplaceorunitingaregion.TheboundariesofCascade,Chouteau,andsurroundingcountieswereusedtohelplocateresourcesonamap,andcommunityparticipantsatpublicmeetingswereaskedtohelpdeveloparesourceinventory.Intheend,politicalcharacteristicsoftheboundarywerehelpfultounderstandthelimitsofthestudyarea;however,thestudyareaboundarieswereredrawntoincludeonlyCascadeandpartsofChouteaucounties,asthoselinesrepresenttheconcentrationoftheresourcesandsignificancetotheheritageofBigSkyCountry.


TheBoundaryofBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea

ThefinaldeterminationintheconstructofaboundaryforBigSkyCountryNHAincorporatesthevaryingcompositionsofeachoftheelementsdescribedabove.Somefeaturesundoubtedlywillbeofmoreconsequencethanothers.Intheend,theboundaryselectedwasonethat,onapracticallevel,canbemanaged,hingeswiththestorythatresonatesthroughouttheregion,anddefinesaregioncapableofbeingserved.ThefinalboundaryforBigSkyCountryNHAisonethatreflectsthecapacityoftheorganizationanditspartnersasstewardstodevelop,administer,maintain,andpromoteaunifiedregion.

MapoftheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea.CourtesyofKenSievert


CHAPTER4:THEFUTUREOFBIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREA

“Won’t you meet me in Montana, I want to see the mountains in your eyes. I had all of this life I can handle. Meet me underneath that big Montana sky.”

Dan Seals and Marie Osmond

RegionalGoals,Needs,andOpportunities

In2015,thegatheringpartnershipofcitizens,organizations,andlocalgovernmentsincentralMontanainitiallylookedatstorytellingasawaytoenlistpublicsupporttocelebratetheregion’shistoryandculture.Whiletheearlyorganizingeffortsaroundthisformofheritageconservationdidsucceedinestablishingthepartnership,manyfeltthatlimitingthepotentialoftheoutcometoonlystorytellingwasinsufficient,andmorecouldbeaccomplishedthatcouldbringsignificantbenefitstothecommunitiesandtheregion.Thepartnershiprealizedthereweremanypossibleapproachestocommemoratetheheritageofaregion–interpretation,education,historicpreservation,communityrevitalization,tourism–allbuiltuponthestoriesofthepeopleandtheplacewheretheyliveandwork.

Asthepartnershipmatured,therewasagrowingdesireofmanyothersintheregiontojointhesecommunityconversations.ItwasbecomingmoreevidentthatcentralMontana’scorehistoryandheritage,itslivingculturaltraditions,anddistinctivelandscapeallcouldbebroughttogetherunderasinglestrategybasedonaregionalvision.Theterm“heritagedevelopment”begantobeinjectedintotheconversationsand,specifically,moreattentionpaidtoNationalHeritageAreasandtheirsuccessesacrosstheUnitedStates.

ThesecondpublicmeetinginFortBenton,heldattheMontanaAgriculturalCenter.CourtesyofPointHDC


ThischapterexaminestheapproachesadvancedbyBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,Inc.(BSCNHA,Inc.),andtheirpartnerstoachieveregionalgoals,identifyapreferredmanagementalternative,andconstructastrategicplanfortherealizationofthatalternative.

ConsideringAlternativesforHeritageDevelopment

AcompellingstoryresonatesacrosstheUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontana.ItisastoryofNativeAmericans,theexpandingnation,thesupportofmoderndevelopmentbythetamingofariverandthelandthroughwhichitflows,andthecurrentlifewaysofthecommunitiestoday.TheregionisalsocentrallylocatedbetweentwoofthemostvisitedparksintheNationalParksystem.Despitetheseassets,centralMontanahasstruggledtocaptureitsbenefits,andfewvisitorsknowthesignificanceoftheregionanditscontributiontothedevelopmentoftheUnitedStates.Someorganizationscollaboratedtopromotespecificelementsoftheregion’sheritage–morethanadozenlocalpartnersworkedwithstateandnationalentitiesonanationalsignatureeventforthe2005LewisandClarkBicentennial.However,until2015,nocoordinatedentitytookonthebroaderscopeofacitizenryunitedunderastrategicvision.

TheformationoftheUpperMissouriRiverHeritageAreaPlanningCorporation(UMRHAPC,nowBSCNHA,Inc.)broughttogetherthesevaryingpartnerswithagoaltocreateaplanfortheregionthattiedtogetheralloftherichheritageassetsoftheregion,realizingthatcollectively–asaregionalpartnership–morecouldbeachievedthananyindividualeffort.Planspreviouslydevelopedbypartnerorganizationswereidentifiedandconsidered,andthecommonalitiesofthoseplansandtheregionalpartnershipformedthecoregoalsfortheheritageeffort,includingto:

• fosterasenseofprideinthecentralMontanacommunity• commemorateandconservetheregion’snationallysignificanthistoricandculturalresources• increaseopportunitiesforeducationandstewardshipofheritageassets• increaseawarenessofcentralMontanaandtheUpperMissouriRiverregionasadestination• use“heritagedevelopment”asadriverforcommunityrevitalizationandeconomicdevelopment• respecttherightsofprivatepropertywhilepromotinganddevelopingheritagetourism

opportunities

AcoalitionoffundingpartnerscametogethertosupportafeasibilitystudythatwouldexplorealloptionsforcentralMontanaanditspotentialforheritagedevelopmentwithintheregion.Theseoptionsincluded:

• NoAction–tocontinueasaregionwithindividualizedeffortstoconserveandpromotetheheritageoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontana

• StateHeritageArea–toworkwith(stateagency/departmentname)andtheMontanaLegislatureandGovernortocreateastateheritageareafortheregion

• NationalHeritageArea(NHA)–topursuethedevelopmentanddesignationofanNHA• CombinedStateandNationalHeritageAreas–tocreateaStateHeritageArea,towin

designationforanNHA,andtointegratethosestrategiestothebenefitoftheregion

Startingin2017,thepartnership,ledbythethen-namedUMRHAPC,startedworkingonafeasibilitystudyfortheregion,withthecoregoalsfortheheritageareatobeconsidered.Theresultingcollaborationonthefeasibilitystudybetweenresidents,organizations,businesses,ranchersandfarmers,localgovernments,andstateagenciesresoundinglyagreedthatanNHAforcentralMontanawasbesttohelpaccomplishthesecoregoals.


TheregionalcollaborationhelpedtofurthertheawarenessandunderstandingofthepowerofanNHAasastrategytounifypeoplearoundaregionalvisioncenteredonasharedheritageandthehistoricalandculturalassetsthatarethefoundationtotheidentityofcentralMontana.

Anyofthealternativesmightcontributetothesuccessfulaccomplishmentofoneorsomeofthegoalsmentionedabove,butonlytheNHAdesignationprovidesthebestpossibleoutcometoachieveallofthegoalsfortheregion.AStateHeritageAreadesignationcouldresultinsomesuccess;however,unlikeotherstates,suchaprogramdoesnotcurrentlyexistinMontana,andthetimeitcouldtaketocreatesuchadesignationbythelegislaturemayresultinthecollaborativepartnershiptofadeawayasitwaits.Similarly,acombinedStateandNationalHeritageAreadesignationcouldprovidethebestoutcomefortheregion,anditwasnotruledoutforfutureconsideration,butatthistimeitisnotfeasibilewithnoexistingstateprogram.

The“NoAction”alternativeissimplynotanoptionandwasruledoutbythepartners,stakeholders,andtheparticipantsatthefeasibilitystudymeetings.NoActionwouldleaveinplacethestatusquoforcentralMontanaandindividualorganizations,businesses,andlocalgovernments.Whileoutstandingprogramsandprojectscurrentlyinplacewillcontinue,theywouldcontinuetoexistinisolationfromeachother.NoActionwouldresultinthelossofcollaborationandconnectionpossibleunderanoverarchingnationaldesignationanditsbenefitofamulti-county,multi-organizationalpartnership.

AnNHAistheonlyalternativethataffirmsthenationalsignificanceofcentralMontana’sheritageandraisestheregiontothesamelevelastheotherexistingNHAsintheUnitedStates.AnNHAdesignationunifiesthestoryofcommunitiesacrosstheregionandhelpsbringthemtogetherinawaythatpointstosharedidentityandregionalpride.AnNHAdesignationwillplacetheUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontanaonthesamemapwithGlacierNationalParkandYellowstoneNationalPark,enablingcross-marketingandpromotionforvisitorsseekingnationallysignificantdestinations,andfurthervalidatingtheregion’shistoricalandculturalheritageandthelivinglandscapeassignificanttothenation.Ofallthealternativesthatcurrentlyexist,onlyanNHAwillhelptoachieveallofthecoregoals.

ThePreferredAlternative:ANationalHeritageAreaforCentralMontana

ApublicpartnershipprocesswasusedtodevelopthisfeasibilitystudyandhasresultedinstrongsupportfortheestablishmentoftheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea(BigSkyCountryNHA).TheconcludingpublicmeetingheldinBelt,Montana,inSeptember2019broughttogethermorethan100citizens,publicandelectedofficials,ranchers,farmers,businessleaders,communityorganizations,nonprofitgroups,andothersto:

• hearthefindingsofthefeasibilitystudyplanning• reviewandapprovethethemes,resourcesandstatementofsignificance• confirmtheproposedboundaryfortheNHA• revealthenewnamefortheNHA–BigSkyCountryNHA• concuronalistofearlyimplementationprojectsandotherprojectsthatcanbecompletedby

thepartnership• volunteertheirtimeascommunityleaderstohelpadvancetheNHA• supportthetransformationoftheUMRHAPCtobecomeBSCNHA,Inc.,asthecoordinating

entityfortheproposedNHA


ManagingtheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea

TheconceptofanNHAisonethatisasmuchaplaceasitisaregionalstrategy.Withthedesignationofaregioncomesanetworkofpartners,oftenasdiverseasthelivinglandscapeinwhichtheyexist.Thisheritagepartnershipbecomesthewheeltotheoperations,management,andimplementationoftheNHA.Criticaltoanywheelisthehub,andforanNHA,thathubisthecoordinatingentity.NHAcoordinatingentitiesshouldermanyresponsibilitiesinthemanagementoftheheritagearea.Theyaretheconveneroftheconstituency,thefacilitator,theglueinthepartnership,andthekeepersoftheregionalvisionthatwascreatedwiththefeasibilitystudy.Theresponsibilityvestedinthemcamethroughtheconfidenceandblessingofthebroaderpartnership.Thecoordinatingentity’seffectivenessrestswiththeabilityofthepartnerstotrustthemasmuchasthepartnerstrusteachother.AnysuccessfulNHAsharesresponsibilityandwork;theirinfluenceisgainednotbyforceorauthorityinlaw,butinsteadbynurturingrelationships,conveningdiverse,sometimesopposinggroupsandtheirviews;andcreatinganenvironmentwhereallsidescanworktogetherforthebettermentofeachotherandtheregionasawhole.Itisthiscollaborativealliancethatoftenstartswithasharedvisionthat,intheend,producesthemostpowerful,transformativeresultsinanNHA.

TheselectionorcreationofanorganizationtomanagetheNHAisnotthemostcriticalissueforfederaldesignation.Itmaybe,however,thesinglemostimportantfactorinwhatmakesNHAssustainableandsuccessful.Toooften,burgeoningNHAswithoutstandingculturalandhistoricalsignificancehavestruggledorflounderedbecausethelong-termmanagementquestionwasnotgivenenoughconsiderationortheissuesthatpartnersraisedconcerningcapacitywereleftunaddressed.Often,thecoordinatingentitieswiththemostsuccessaretheonesthatrecognizetheneedsoftheregionandthepartnersandbuildcoalitionsthatsupportandhaveconfidenceinthecoordinatingentity.

Inthebestworld,theidentificationofacoordinatingentitywouldusuallyoccurduringthemanagementplan,buttheNationalParkServiceandtheU.S.Congressplacemoreemphasisonthisquestion,notjustbeingexploredbutbeingfinalizedinthefeasibilitystudysinceanNHAisnotagovernment-administeredor-managedprogram.Theconfidencein,thetrustof,andabilityofthecoordinatingentityarecrucial.

TheformationoftheUMRHAPCorganizedwithoneprimarypurpose:tohelpleadtheregionalpartnersthroughthefeasibilitystudyplanningphaseforanNHAincentralMontana.Itsby-lawsweredrafted,anditsmissionwaslimited,raisingthenecessaryfundingfor,andmanagingthestepsrequiredtoproduce,afeasibilitystudy.TheboardunderstoodthatpartoftheprocessofthefeasibilitystudywouldincludetheassessmentofregionalcapacityandtheidentificationofanorganizationthatcouldmanagethenewNHA.

Throughoutthefeasibilitystudyplanningprocess,theconsultantteamwastaskedtoexploreallviableoptionsforfuturemanagement,includingthoseexistingoronethatmightbecreatedinthefuture.Thisquestionbecamecentraltothestakeholderinterviewsconductedasapartofthefeasibilitystudyandwasalsoexploredandtestedwitheachphaseofpublicmeetings.CentralMontanaisblessedwithavastarrayofcapableorganizationswithreliabletrackrecordsintourism,preservation,cultureandthearts,recreation,naturalresources,education,economicandcommunitydevelopment,andotherfields.Thesepartnersallcurrentlycontributetotheregionthroughtheirwork,andalargenumberofthemareinvolvedinthefeasibilitystudyplanning.


Theprimaryfunctionsforthecoordinatingentityareto:

• designandimplementthefeasibilitystudyandmanagementplanfortheNHA• hirestafftocarryouttheresponsibilitiesoftheprograms,projects,and

operation/administrationoftheNHA• leadthefundraisingeffortsandcoordinatethefinancialaffairsnecessaryforthesustainability

oftheNHA• designagovernancestructurethatintegratesthevarietyofinterestsofcentralMontanainto

theNHA• partnertobuildonopportunities,leadwhenrequired,anddevelopstewardshiptoensure

continuanceintheregionalprogramsandprojectsintheNHA

AmixofexistingorganizationswereidentifiedthatcouldbethecoordinatingentityiftheUMRHAPCwasdetermined,orchose,nottobethelead.WhileissueswereexpressedoftheneedforUMRHAPCtobuildoutitsboardrepresentation,thepartnerswereunanimousintheirsupportforUMRHAPCtocontinue,andfortheirorganizationstocontinuewiththeirinvolvement.

CoordinatingEntityandManagement

In2015,theUMRHAPCorganizedtotaketheinitialstepstoadvancetheconceptofanNHAforcentralMontana.ThenewlyformednonprofitorganizationwasrespondingtothebroaderinterestsoftheUpperMissouriRiverregioncitizens,recognizingthattheirheritageandhistoryoftheupperplainsandtheMissouriRiveraresignificanttothehistoryanddevelopmentoftheUnitedStates.

UpperMissouriRiverHeritageAreaPlanningCorporationboardmembersconsiderhistoricalthemesinaJuly2018workshop.CourtesyofPointHDC


TheUMRHAPCledtheeffortwiththeunderstandingthatadeterminationwouldbemadeduringthefeasibilitystudyprocesstocreateanNHAandidentifyitscoordinatingentity.UMRHAPC’soutreachwasextensiveasitinitiatedtheeffort,andorganizedthecommunitiesandpartners,duringtheearlyyearsofitswork(2015-2017).Duringthisperiod,atotalof35meetingsandpresentationswereheldacrosscentralMontana,includingstate,county,andcitygovernments,civicorganizations,nonprofits,educationalorganizationsandgroups,preservationorganizations,andNativeAmericantribes.UMRHAPC’soutreachincludedorganizationsandgroupsthatweresuspiciousofNHAs,onesthatareconcernedaboutfederalgovernmentoverreach,privatepropertyrights,andhuntingandfishingregulations.

Aspartofthefeasibilitystudy(2018-2019),UMRHAPCdirectedtheconsultantstoconductaseriesofconfidentialstakeholderinterviewswiththeserepresentativegovernmentsandorganizationstodeterminethesupportforanNHA.IfastakeholdersupportedtheNHAconcept,thediscussionswouldmovetotheissuesofregionalcapacity,management,andthepartnershipbaseofsupportfortheNHA.Twenty-sixstakeholderswereinterviewedbetweenJuneandAugustof2018,andtheresultswereoverwhelminglyinfavorofcreatinganNHAforcentralMontana.SomeorganizationsdidsuggesttheirwillingnesstostepupastheNHAcoordinatingentityifUMRHAPCchosenottoadvancethework,orifthebroaderpartnershipdidnotsupporttheirleadership.Nevertheless,theboardpartnershipofthestakeholderswasstronglysupportiveofUMRHAPC,continuingitsleadershiproleinafuturemanagementcapacityasthecoordinatingentityfortheproposedNHA.

Withtheresultsofthestakeholderinterviews,inFebruary2019theboardmembersofUMRHAPCconvenedaspecialtwo-dayworkshopwiththeconsultantstoanswerthemselveswhetherthecurrentboardshouldbecomethemanagementorganizationforthenewlyproposedNHA.

Thediscussionrevolvedaroundseveralkeyfactors.AdiverseboardisneededtoplaytheconvenerroleofanNHA,andnootherexistingentityintheregionsharesthediversityofUMRHAPC.Whiletheboardwillcontinuetochangeasdifferentskillsetsbecomenecessarytomeetevolvingneeds,therecurrentlyisvalueincontinuity.Oncethefeasibilitystudyiscomplete,newboardmemberswillbeengagedtohelptheorganizationthroughdesignation,earlyimplementationprojects,andtolookaheadtoplanning.Thegovernanceproceduresfortheorganizationmustbeupdated,includingthecreationofaformalnominatingcommittee,establishingaroutetoboardmembershipthroughcommitteeservice,andanorientationprocessforallnewboardmembers.

ArecommendationwasmadeandunanimouslysupportednamingUMRHAPCasthecoordinatingentityfortheproposedNHA.AformalvoteattheboardmeetinginlateFebruaryaffirmedthedecisionmadeintheworkshop.


MissionandVision

AtthatsameFebruary2019managementworkshop,theboardofdirectorstookupconsiderationofthethenexistingmissionandvisionstatementfortheproposedNHA.Aftermuchdiscussion,itwasconcludedthatneitherthemissionorvisionstatementswererepresentativeofwhattheorganizationcurrentlydoesandwillbedoinginthefutureinitsroleasthecoordinatingentityfortheproposedNHA.

Theoriginalmissionstatementwas,“WeexisttotelltheUpperMissouriRiverstory,”andtheoriginalvisionstatementread,“WeformedtoinitiateacollaborativeefforttoestablishanNHAbecausewebelieveinthenationalsignificanceoftheUpperMissouriRiverheritage,inthepowerofpartnerships,andthatNHAdesignationwillbringvitalityandsustainableeconomicdevelopmenttoourregion.Weareresidents,multigenerationallandowners,localbusinesses,andculturalorganizations.Webelieveinprivatepropertyrights,celebratingourhistory,honoringourlegacy,andsharingourstorieswithothers.”

ExaminationandreviewofmissionandvisionstatementswereconductedofotherNHAsandorganizations,aswasconsiderationofthelong-termgoalsofBigSkyCountryNHA.SeveralcommonalitieswithotherNHAswereimmediatelyrecognized,includinghowNHAscreatepartnershipstoconservecomponentsoftheirheritage.LikeotherNHAs,BigSkyCountry’spartnersworkintourism,economicdevelopment,historicpreservation,educationandinterpretation,andrecreation,allwithagoalofqualityoflifeandcommunityrevitalizationandenhancement.Theresultisasharedheritagethatconnectscommunitiesandregionalinterests.Thesebondshelpresidents,businesses,andlocalgovernmentstomorefullyunderstandandappreciatetheirheritageandtheircommunities,thathelpstrengthentheeconomicandculturalfabicofaregion.

TheresultisthefollowingMissionStatement:

We,theBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,developandfosterpartnershipstorecognize,preserve,andinterpretthehistoric,scenic,andnaturalrecreationalresourcesandlivinglandscapesoftheUpperMissouriRiverregion.Westrengthentheeconomyandculturalfabricofourregionbypromotingandfacilitatingtheenjoymentoftheseresources.

A“constitution”ofguidingprinciplestoaccompanythemissionstatementwasalsoadopted.Theseare:

• Respectprivatepropertyrights

• Fostercollaborativepublic-privaterelationships

• Worktogetherasaregion

• Supportintergenerationaleducation

• Valuetruthandreconciliationininterpretingoursharedheritage

• RecognizethecustomsandtraditionsofthepeopleofMontana

InMay2019,theboardadoptedthefollowingVisionStatement:

TheBigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaisarespectedpartnerbuildingalliancesthroughouttheUpperMissouriRiverregionofMontana.Togetherwerecognize,conserve,andinstillcommunityprideinourpeople,places,andstories.Ourheritageresourcesstrengthentheeconomy,attractingvisitorsseekingspecialplacesandmemories.


ThePartnershipNetwork

BSCNHA,Inc.,hasdevelopedarobustandvibrantpartnershipnetworkthathascometogethertosupportthefeasibilitystudyplanningprocessandtheestablishmentofanNHAintheUpperMissouriRiverofcentralMontana.Thispartnershipnetworkcrossesallsectors,includinggovernment,businesses,non-profitorganizations,educationalandinterpretiveinstitutions,andresidents.AsdescribedinAppendixIII,thereare21“KeyPartners,”organizationsthathaveaconsistentdailyworkingrelationshipwithBSCNHA,Inc.Inaddition,eight“CurrentPartners”areengagedwiththeorganizationonspecific,butnotdaily,projectsandprogramming.Finally,the“PotentialPartners”identifiedthroughthisprocessinclude29entititesthathavecapacityandhaveexpressedinterestinfutureprojectsandprogramming.BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaanditsManagementPartnership

ToproperlyadvancetheBigSkyCountryNHA,thecurrentboardofdirectorsrecognizesitsneedtoaddmoreboardmemberstotheirorganization.Aspartofamanagementworkshopconductedwiththeconsultants,theboardidentifiedareasofexpertiseandneedfromwhichfutureboardcandidatescouldbesought,includingfinance,business,arts,andeducation.Theplantoaddnewboardmemberswillcommencewiththecompletionofthefeasibilitystudysothatthenewboardmembercanimmediatelyparticipateinthenextstagesofplanninganddevelopment.

Staffingwillgrowoverthefirstfiveyearsasfundingisacquiredforusebeyondplanning.Stafffundingisoftenthemostdifficulttoraise,anditiswherethefundsfromfromfederalappropriationsfortheNHAwillbeofgreatassistance.

WhilethestaffwillhaveprimaryresponsibilityfortheoperationsandadministrationoftheNHAorganization,theboardwillcontinuetoshareinsomeofthedutiesintheearlyyears,eventuallytransitioningthemajorityofoperationalresponsibilitiestothehiredprofessionalstaff.Theseresponsibilities,boththoseofthestaff,oftheboard,andthosewhichareshared,aredetailedinthechartthatfollows,below.

ResidentsofthetownofCascadecelebratedthemarriageofCharlieandNancyRussellwithare-enactmentneartheirrestoredHoneymoonCottage.


StaffandBoardResponsibilitiesOperations&Management

BIGSKYCOUNTRYNHA

STAFFRESPONSIBILITIES

BOARDRESPONSIBILITIES

SHAREDRESPONSIBILITIES

Years1-5

• Grantwriting• Socialmedia

communications• Websitemanagement• Buildingcontactlist(s)• Contractandgrant

administration• Project/service

development&management

• Developmentanddiversificationofrevenuestreams/earnedincome

• Supportandcounseltostaff

• Governanceofboard&boardresponsibilities

Years1-2

• Servingasthepublicface• Coalescingpartnerships

(business,tourism&civicorganizations,etc.)

• Definite,clear,ongoingmediapresence

• Travel• Accountingandauditing• FinancialOversight• Maintainorganization

databasesandrecords• Advocacy(DC,Helena,

local)

• Establishingandmaintainingregularcommunicationwithpartnersandallies

• Administration&organizationfunction

• Face-to-facecommunications/relationshipbuilding

• Fundraising

Years3-5

• Servingasthepublicface

• Definite,clear,ongoingmediapresence

• Travel• Maintainorganization

databasesandrecords• Establishingand

maintainingregularcommunicationswithpartnersandallies

• Administration&organizationfunction

• Oversightofmanagementplanning

• Face-to-facecommunications/relationshipbuilding

• Fundraising• Advocacy(DC,Helena,

local)• Accountingandauditing• Financialmanagement• Coalescingpartnerships

(business,tourism&civicorganizations,etc.)

Note:AssumesYears1and2awaitingdesignationasanNHA,andwithdesignationstartinginYear3.


ConceptualFinancialPlan

Afive-yearoperatingandadministrativebudgetforBSCNHA,Inc.,isproposedforthecoordinatingentityasitestablishesandadvancesadesignatedNHA.BSCNHA,Inc.,mustbeabletoraisesufficientfundingtomatchthepotentialNationalParkServicefunding.ThecurrentminimumlevelsofNHAallocationsare$150,000fordesignatedNHAswithoutapprovedmanagementplansand$300,000forNHAswithapprovedmanagementplans.Therefore,budgetassumesthereceiptofNationalParkServicefundingof$150,000forYear1throughYear4and$300,000inNationalParkServicefundinginYear5.Theseallocationamountscouldchangeinthefuture,andanover-dependencyonNationalParkServicefundsasapartofanannualbudgetcouldputtheNHAatriskifNationalParkServicefundingwereeverreducedoreliminatedbyCongress.

Theprojectedbudgetreflectsanorganizationwithagoaloffinancialsustainability,withadollar-for-dollarmatchofprojectedNationalParkServicefundingineachyear.Withsustainabilityasagoal,thereisadiminishingrelianceonin-kindmatchfrompartners,andanequallyproportionalactualcashmatch,aspartofeachyear’sannualtotal.Alsoconsideredinthisbudgetareyearlytotalsfortheanticipatedcostsofconducting“earlyimplementationprojects”andtheexpensesrelatedtoconductingamanagementplan.

Expense Year1 Year2 Year3 Year4 Year5 NotesExecutiveDirector 70,000$ 72,100$ 74,263$ 76,491$ 78,786$ 1ProgramManager 35,000$ 36,050$ 37,132$ 38,245$ 39,393$ 1DevelopmentDirector 0 0 0 30,000$ 60,000$ 1Fringe25% 26,500$ 27,295$ 28,114$ 36,184$ 44,545$Operations 40,000$ 51,200$ 52,736$ 54,318$ 70,000$ 2Travel 10,000$ 10,300$ 10,609$ 15,000$ 15,000$Planning 67,000$ 67,000$ 67,000$ 25,000$ -$Promotion&Marketing 10,000$ 10,300$ 10,609$ 12,000$ 12,500$Projects 41,500$ 50,000$ 60,000$ 75,000$ 200,000$TotalExpense 300,000$ 324,245$ 340,463$ 362,238$ 520,224$

Income Year1 Year2 Year3 Year4 Year5 NotesAppropriations 150,000$ 150,000$ 150,000$ 150,000$ 300,000$Grants 50,000$ 60,000$ 70,000$ 80,000$ 85,000$Donations 80,000$ 85,000$ 85,000$ 86,000$ 90,000$Sponsorships 15,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ 25,000$ 25,000$EarnedRevenue 5,000$ 10,000$ 15,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$TotalCash 300,000$ 325,000$ 340,000$ 361,000$ 520,000$In-KindContributions 0 5,000$ 20,000$ 30,000$ 80,000$TotalIncome 300,000$ 330,000$ 360,000$ 391,000$ 600,000$

ReserveBalance 0.00 5,755$ 19,537$ 28,762$ 79,776$ 3Notes:1-Staffpositionsreflecta3percentannualincrease2-Includesaccounting,audit,insurance,legal,boarddevelopment,printing,equipment,etc,3-Reservebalancewill beusedtooffsetanyunexpected,necessary,futureexpense(s).

BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageAreaFive-YearOperationsandAdministrationBudget


CHAPTER5:SUMMARYOFFEASIBILITY“I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.” John Steinbeck

BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea

Forthepastsixyears,BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea,Inc.(BSCNHA,Inc.),hasledaprocessfortheestablishmentofaNationalHeritageArea(NHA)involvinghundredsofcitizensanddozensofcommunitygroupswithinCascadeandChouteaucounties.Thestudyprocesshasconsideredallaspectsofcommunityinput,includingthebenefitsofandconcernsforthecreationofanNHA.Overthecourseoftheplanningprocess,thefollowingquestionshavebeentested:IstheideaofanNHAfeasible?WhatisthenationallysignificantstoryoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontana?Aretherehistoric,cultural,andnaturalresourcesintheregionthatcouldhelptellthisstory?Isthereaframeworkandcapacitytodevelopandcarryoutaregionalvisionbasedonthestoryandresources?

TheNationalParkServicedevelopedtencriteriaforevaluationofemergingNHAs.Eachcriterionislistedbelow,followedbyadescriptionofhowthisstudyhasdemonstratedthefeasibilityandsuitabilityofNHAdesignationfortheUpperMissouriRiverregion,BigSkyCountry.

Withitsbigskyanddistinctivelandscape,theupperMissouriRiverregionofMontanaholdsthestoryofthetransformationofthewesternUnitedStates.CourtesyofAndrewFinch


1.Anareahasanassemblageofnatural,historic,orculturalresourcesthattogetherrepresentdistinctiveaspectsofAmericanheritageworthyofrecognition,conservation,interpretation,and

continuinguse,andarebestmanagedassuchanassemblagethroughpartnershipsamongpublicandprivateentities,andbycombiningdiverseandsometimesnoncontiguousresourcesandactivecommunities.

BigSkyCountryNationalHeritageArea(BigSkyCountryNHA)hasanationallysignificantstorysupportedbyanassemblageofnationallysignificantresourcesthattellthestoryofthetransformationofthewesternUnitedStates.Withinthespaceofacentury,theUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontanawentfromabountifulbisonhuntinggroundfor13indigenoustribestoalandscapethatsupportedWesternexpansionthroughagricultureandindustry.TheLewisandClarkexpeditionwasthevanguardofthischange,andlater,CharlieRussellwasitsgreatestchronicler.FourNationalHistoricLandmarksandtheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailanchorthisstory,highlightingtheregion’shistorythroughanindigenousbuffalojump,theportagerouteoftheLewisandClarkexpedition,theheadofnavigationontheMissouri,andthehomeandstudioofanartistwhobroughtthehistorytolife.Inadditiontothesenationallysignificantresources,theregionholdsanadditional143historic,cultural,andnaturalresourcesidentifiedbyengagedresidentsandorganizations.Thisincludes33sitesand10districtslistedintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.AppendixVIIcontainsalistingofallresourcesrelatedtotheregion’snationalsignificanceandfiveinterpretivethemes.

2.Reflectstraditions,customs,beliefs,andfolklifethatareavaluablepartofthenationalstory.

NHAsarelivinglandscapes,andBigSkyCountryNHAexemplifiesthatstandard.Stillvisibleisthedistinctivelandscapewherebisononceroamed,drawing14indigenoustribeswhoselivesdependeduponthatsacredanimal,includingthefourtribesoftheBlackfootConfederacy,knownastheNisitapi(SiksikaorBlackfoot;KainaiorBlood;PikaniiorNorthernPeigan;andPikuniorSouthernPieganorBlackfeet),aswellastheSalish,Kootenai,Pendd’Oreille,Shoshone,Bannock,NezPerce,GrosVentre,Crow,andAssiniboine.Today,thelegacyofthebisoncultureisfoundinannualcelebrationssuchastheLittleShellPowwowatFirstPeoplesBuffaloJump,aNationalHistoricLandmarkandMontanaStatePark.CulturalcontinuityisalsoevidentintherecentfederalrecognitionoftheLittleShellChippewatribe,apeoplewhohavesoughtthisstatussincethe1880s.WhereLewisandClarkoncetraveled,modernoutdoorenthusiastsandamateurhistoriansfollowthehistoricrouteenjoyingtheMissouriRivercorridoranditstributaries,aswellastheRiver’sEdgeNationalRecreationalTrailthatoffersabicyclingandpedestrianroutealongtheriver.ThemassivechangethatfollowedinthewakeofLewisandClark’sepicexploratoryexpeditionculminatedintoday’seconomy,withagriculturallandsstretchingasfarastheeyecanseeandhydropowergeneratedfromtheGreatFallsoftheMissourifuelingindustryandhomesformorethanacentury.

Fishingisamongthemostpopularoutdoorrecreationalpursuitsenjoyedbyresidentsofandvisitorstotheregion.CourtesyofGayleFisher


SinceEuro-Americansfirstarrivedintheregion,artistshavecapturedboththebeautyofthelandscapeandtheintricaciesoftheregion’speople.Artremainsbothaculturalvalueandanimportanteconomicdriverintheregion,asdemonstratedbytheannualWesternArtWeekfeaturingtheworksofmanynationallyknownandlocalartists,aswellaseventsdedicatedtoart,andthecommunities’numerousprivateartgalleriesandfiveartmuseums–threeinGreatFalls,andtwoinFortBenton(ParisGibsonSquareMuseumofArt,C.M.RussellMuseum,GalerieTrinitas,StarrGalleryofWesternArt,andtheDean&DonnaStrandWesternArtGallery).HutteriteshavebeenaforceinMontana’sagriculture,producing90%ofthestate’shogs,34%ofthedairy,16%ofthepoultry,andmorethan95%ofMontana’seggs.Rodeos,farmersmarkets,andfestivalsthatcelebratetheregion’sheritagealsoareimportanttraditions.Livingculturaltraditionsthatreflecttheregion’shistoricalsignificancearereflectedintheplacesandeventslistedintheresourceinventory.

3.Providesoutstandingopportunitiestoconservenatural,cultural,historic,and/orscenicfeatures.

TheregionisoneofbreathtakingbeautyofopenprairielandthatrunsintotheeasternfoothillsoftheRockyMountains,carvedbythemightyMissouriRiveranditstributaries.Thelandscapeconsistsoflarge-scaleworkingcattleranchesandgrainfarms,flat-toppedbuttes,andcraggymountainoutcroppings.Historicsmalltownsdotthelandscapeandthehistoriccharacteroftheiroriginaltownsitesiscelebratedandhonored.Opportunitiestoassistinmaintainingtheregion’sagriculturalcommerceandtraditions;toenhanceoutdoorrecreationalopportunities,especiallyalongthewatercorridors;todocumentandpreservetheregion’swealthofhistoricresources;andtoexpandinterpretationofthetransformationoftheWestareendless.Incarryingouttheseopportunities,theregionhasthepotentialtoenticethehundredsofthousandsofvisitorsthattravelbetweenYellowstoneNationalParkandGlacierNationalParkeachyeartotakethissidesteptolearnaboutlifeontheplains.Increasingvisitationwillcontinuetobuildthelocaleconomyontheregion’snationallysignificantheritage,enhancethesustainabilityoftheNHA,andtoworkwithpartnerstoinvestinthestewardshipofthenatural,cultural,andhistoricfeatures.

4.Providesoutstandingrecreationalandeducationalopportunities.

Outdoorrecreationisasignificantsocio-economicsectorinMontana.ThestateissecondinthenationinoutdoorrecreationasapercentageofitsGrossDomesticProduct(GDP),asreportedbytheUSBureauofEconomicAnalysisin2019.1Moreover,96%ofMontanansbelieveoutdoorrecreationisimportanttothestate'seconomicfuture,and95%sayitisimportanttotheirownqualityoflife.Guidedtours,outfitter-guidedtravel,boating,angling,hunting,hiking,skiing,andcyclingbringinmillionsofdollarsandsupportmorethan16,000jobsacrossthestate.

1Hawaiiisfirstat5.4%,andMontanaissecondat5.1%.

ANationalScenicBywayprovideseasyaccesstowintersportsintheHelena-Lewis&ClarkNationalForest,includingsnowshoeinganddownhillandcross-countryskiing.CourtesyofGayleFisher


Accordingtoa2018reportfromtheUniversityofMontana’sInstituteonTourism&RecreationResearch,thosejobs,alongwith$1.3billionineconomicoutput,aresupportedbynonresidenttravelersspendingnearly$800milliononoutfittedorguidedexperiences.From"floatin'theMo',"tosecuringacovetedpasstofloattheSmithRivertobicyclingorjoggingover57milesoftheRiver'sEdgeNationalRecreationTrail,drivingtheKingsHillScenicBywayorhikingandskiinginthenearbyHelena-LewisandClarkNationalForest,towalkingthehistoriclevyalongtheMissouriRiverinFortBenton,BigSkyCountryalreadyboastsmanyoutstandingrecreationalactivitiesandresources.NonresidenttourismandrecreationinCascadeCounty,alone,supportsover2,100jobs,andnearly$150millionineconomicactivity,directly(InstituteofTourism&Recreation2019).ManyopportunitiesexisttoenhanceoutdoorrecreationintheUpperMissouriRiverregion–withabandonedrailroadlinesalongtheMissouriRiverandwithintheNationalForest–especiallygiventheregion'slocationbetweentwoofthenation'smostvisitednationalparks.Theregionisalsofullofexceptionaleducationalresources.OveradozeninterpretivecentersandmuseumsacrosstheBigSkyCountryNHAhighlightdifferentelementsoftheregion'shistory;amongthelargestfacilitiesaretheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailInterpretiveCenter,theC.M.RussellMuseum,theFirstPeople'sBuffaloJumpStatePark,OldFortBentonTradingPost,theUpperMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonumentInterpretiveCenter,andtheMontanaStateAgriculturalMuseum.EducationalpartnershipstobenefitK-12studentsmaycontributetotheregionalgoalofretainingyoungpeople.Similarly,educationalprogrammingaimedatlifelonglearnerswillenhancequalityoflifeintheregion.

5.Theresourcesimportanttotheidentifiedthemeorthemesofthearearetainadegreeofintegritycapableofsupportinginterpretation.

AsnotedinCriterion#2,thestoryofthetransformationoftheWestissuccinctlyexpressedintheregion’snationallysignificantresources–theLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrail,FirstPeoplesBuffaloJumpNHL,GreatFallsPortageNHL,FortBentonNHL,andtheC.M.RussellHomeandStudioNHL.Theseresourcesmerittheirnationaldesignationsbyvirtueoftheirintegrity,andtogethertracetheregion’sjourneyinlessthanacenturyfromalanddominatedbyindigenouspeoples,towesternexplorationandexpansion,totheestablishmentofmodernagricultureandanindustrialeconomy.

Re-enactorsteachfamiliesaboutthemostimportanttooloftheLewisandClarkExpedition–firepowertohuntandputmeatinthebelliesof33grownmembersoftheCorpsofDiscovery.Today’sconveniencesmakelifeeasycomparedtotherigorsofsurvivalalongtheMissouriRiver,over200yearsago.CourtesyofUSDAForestService


NotonlydotheseresourcesencapsulatetheStatementofNationalSignificance,buttheyalsoreflectthethemessupportingthatstatement.TheFirstPeoplesBuffaloJumpNHL isoneoftheoldest,largest,andbest-preservedcliffjumplocationsontheNorthAmericancontinent,andservesasawindowintonearly6,000yearsofindigenousculture.

TheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrailbisectstheregion,followingthe1805-1806passageoftheCorpsofDiscovery.ThetrailsegmentwithintheproposedNHAincludessevensitesrecognizedbytheNationalParkServiceashavingsignificantpotentialforfutureinterpretationoftheexpeditionduetotheirhistoricsignificance,scenicquality,relativefreedomfromincursion,andthepresenceofhistoricremnants.ThoseHighPotentialSitesincludetheupperandlowersectionsoftheGreatFallsPortageNHL,DecisionPoint,RainbowFalls,GiantSprings,SquareButte,andTowerRock.

Thefortandoriginalblockhouse,thehistoricbridge,andthecommercialandresidentialstructuresthatcomprisetheFortBentonNHLreflectthemid-tolate-19thcenturyopeningoftheWest,“AFarDistantLand,”byEuro-Americansettlers.TheNHL’s13contributingresourceshelptellthestoryofthefurandbisonrobetrade,transportation,commerce,settlement,andranchingalongthebanksoftheMissouriRiver.Finally,astheregiontransitionedfromindigenoushomelandtotheopenrange,andthentothe“NewWest”markedbyagricultureandindustry,CharlieRussellchronicledthechangewithartthatwasatonceabeautifuldepictionoftheregionandapoignantsocialcommentary.TheC.M.RussellHomeandLogCabinStudioNHLanchortheC.M.RussellMuseumasaplacetotellthisstory.

Finally,theMissouriRiverisacriticalresourcethatlinkstheregionbothphysicallyandthematically.AllofthethemeshaveatangentialrelationshiptotheMissouri.Moreover,theriverisintegraltomodernlifeasanatural,recreational,educational,interpretive,andeconomicresource.TheriverisliterallythespineoftheskeletalstructureoftheBigSkyCountryNHA.

Theresourcesdescribedherearehighlycapableofsupportinginterpretationintheregion.Theyarecomplementedbythe43resourceslistedintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesthatarefoundintheinventoryinAppendixVII.

In1890,BlackEagleFallsbecamethesiteofthefirsthydroelectricdamontheMissouriRiver.Itwasreplacedin1926andstillgeneratespowertoday.CourtesyofGayleFisher

Buffalohides,elkantlers,andpowderhornsfilltheFortBentontradingpost,muchastheywouldhaveintheearly19thcentury.CourtesyofPointHDC


6.Residents,businessinterests,non-profitorganizations,andgovernmentswithintheproposedareaareinvolvedintheplanning,havedevelopedaconceptualfinancialplanthatoutlinestherolesforall

participantsincludingthefederalgovernment,andhavedemonstratedsupportfordesignationofthearea.

ThepartnershipnetworkthatexistsinBigSkyCountryNHAisdiverse,engaged,energized,andcapableofsustaininganNHAintheUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontana.Thisnetworkincludes29keyandcurrentpartners,andthepotentialfordozensofothers(see“Partnerships”inAppendixIII).Leadingthiseffortisthenon-profitorganization,BSCNHA,Inc.,whichformedtohelpadvancetheefforttoplanfortheNHA.Overthelastfiveyears,thisorganizationhasgainedtherespectofareapartnerstodirecttheNHA’soperations,administration,andprogramming.Atthesametime,BSCNHA,Inc.,hasdevelopedcapacitytoraisethenecessaryfundstosupporttheplanningeffort,attainitsgoalofthecompletionofthisfeasibilitystudy,therebygainingtherespectandconfidenceofitsfundersasfutureinvestorsintheNHA.Afive-yearconceptualfinancialplanisfoundinChapter4.

7.Theproposedcoordinatingentityandunitsofgovernmentsupportingthedesignationarewilling

tocommittoworkinginpartnershiptodeveloptheheritagearea.

Similartotheprivate-sectorpartnershipcoalitiondescribedinCriterion6,BSCNHA,Inc.,hasdemonstratedstrongsupportfromstateandlocalgovernmentsintheNHA.WithstrongsupportfromthecitiesofBelt,Cascade,FortBenton,GreatFalls,andNiehartwithinCascadeandChouteaucounties,andtheStateofMontanaanditsagencies,BSCNHA,Inc.,isendorsedasthecoordinatingentityoftheNHA.ThesepartnershavedemonstratedawillingnesstocometogethertodiscussprojectsintheNHA,participateinmeetings,assistwithin-kindsupport,andsupportgrantapplications.Theyhavebeenwillingtoworkacrossjurisdictionalboundarylinesinordertodevelopasharedvision,asdepictedinthisfeasibilitystudy,andeliminateobstaclestothecompletionofmutually-beneficialprojects.

8.Theproposalisconsistentwithcontinuedeconomicactivityinthearea.

Theresidents,governments,organizations,andbusinessesoftheUpperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontanaandtheBigSkyCountryNHAarepoisedtoattractgreaternumbersoftourists,astheregionissituatedbetweentwoofthemostpopularandhighlyvisitednationalparksintheNationalParksystem–GlacierandYellowstone.TheregionalsocontainsaportionoftheLewisandClarkNationalHistoricTrail,alongwithfourNationalHistoricLandmarks.TheregionalpartnershiplookstofurthercapitalizeonthesedestinationassetsandtobuildtheNHA,therebygeneratingmoretourists,tourismdollars,andtherelatedeconomicbenefits,includingjobsandtaxrevenuesthatresultfromtheseactivities.TheBigSkyCountryNHAhasalreadycollaboratedwiththeVisitGreatFalls,Montana,thelocaltourismorganization,onpromotinghistoricsitesintheregion.

Montana’sagriculturaltraditioncontinuesontheRobisonfarminChouteauCounty.CourtesyofKenRobison


Furthermore,consistentwiththegoalsofNHAs,BigSkyCountryNHAcelebratesandconservestheregion’sagriculturalheritageasanessentiallivingculturaltraditionandeconomicmainstay.ThisindustryisakeyeconomicdriverforthepeoplewholiveinMontanatoday,generating$2.4billionannually.

9.Aconceptualboundarymapissupportedbythepublic.

AboundarythatincorporatesthenationallysignificantresourcesofCascadeandportionsofChouteaucountieshasbeenstudied,vetted,andfinalizedwiththecommunitiesandthebroaderpartnership.Thisboundarysupportsthenationallysignificantstoryandthemes,includesnationallysignificantresourcesthatexpressthosethemes,isonethatcanbemanaged,andisalsorespectfuloftherightsofallprivatepropertyowners.ThepublicprocessbywhichtheconceptualboundarywasestablishedisdescribedindetailinChapter3.Thatprocessincludedcarefullyexamining,andthenlayeringuponeachotherthetraits,traditions,andactivitiesthatareimportanttotheregion’sheritage,ledtoaboundarythatiscomprehensive,easilydefined,anddefensible.

AsdescribedinChapter3,abroadboundarywaspresentedtothepublicpriortothebeginningofthefeasibilitystudy.Basedoninitialfeedbackthattheboundarywastoolarge,amuchnarrowerboundarywasintroducedatthefirstfeasibilitystudypublicmeeting.Overthecourseofthestudy,themesandresourceswerearticulatedthroughamanagementworkshopandreviewbysubjectmatterexperts.Thisinput,aswellasfeedbackonthenarrowboundarypresentedatthefirstpublicmeeting,ledtoaboundaryrevisionthatultimatelybecamethepreferredboundary.Thenew,revisedboundaryencompassedtheMissouriRiveranditstributaries,keyresources,thelandscapefeaturescapturedinRussell’sart,and,asstatedinChapter3,“thevastspacesinbetweenwheretoday’sMontananslivetheirdailylivesimbuedwiththehistoryandheritageoftheregion.”Thisfinalboundaryproposalandthereasoningbehinditweresharedwiththepublicatthesecondandfinalroundsofpublicmeetings.

10.Thecoordinatingentityproposedtoplanandimplementtheprojectisdescribed.

BSCNHA,Inc.,acceptsthemantletoleadtheNHA,including administration,operations,jointfund-raising,programming,andprojects.Thisdeterminationwasreachedthroughaprocessthatinvolvedkeypartnersandstakeholders,allofwhomagreedthatBSCNHA,Inc.,shouldcontinueasthecoordinatingentity.Throughouttheplanningprocess,theorganizationhasexercisedtransparency,anddemonstratedleadershipanddiplomacytobuildthecapacityofthepartnershipnetworktodevelopandimplementasharedregionalvision.

Kayaksfor“floatin’theMo’”linethebanksoftheMissouriinfrontofthebridgeinFortBenton.Builtin1888,thebridgewasthefirsttospantheMissouriRiverinMontana.CourtesyofGayleFisher


StudyConcusion

IntheupperMissouriRiverregionofcentralMontana,thestoryofthetransformationofthewesternUnitedStatesisetchedontheregion’sdistinctivelandscapeinthephysicalfeaturesandlivingtraditionsthatremain.Duetotheimportanceoftheculturalchangethatoccurredinlittlemorethanacentury,aswellasthenumber,significance,andintegrityoftheresourcesrelatedtothisstory,thisregionmeetsthenecessarycriteriafordesignationasanNHA.Furthermore,throughparticipationinpublicmeetingsandeventsoverthelastfouryears,throughlettersreceivedinfavorofanNHA,aswellasthroughfinancialdonationsfortheeffort,thepublichasexpressedstrongsupportfordesignationoftheBigSkyCountryNHA.Finally,theproposedcoordinatingentityanditspartnershipnetworkhavedemonstratedtheexpertise,will,andcapacitytosupportanNHAincentralMontana.

RecommendationsonNextSteps

Giventheconclusionthatresidentsoftheregion,undertheleadershipofBSCNHA,Inc.,shouldpursueNHAdesignationbyCongress,theorganizationhasconsideredthenextstepsthatmustoccur.Asetofrecommendationscameoutofthediscussionswithstakeholders,communitymembers,regionalleaders,andtheboardofdirectorsofBSCNHA,Inc.,overthecourseofthefeasibilitystudy.ThesearedescribedinChapter1,andaresummarizedhere,asfollows:

1. PursuefederallegislationbywhichtheU.S.CongresswoulddesignatetheBigSkyCountryNHA.2. Carryoutearlyimplementationprojectsidentifiedinthisplanningprocess.3. Worktowardthecompletionandimplementationofamanagementplan.4. ContinuetobuildtheNHApartnershipnetwork.5. Buildthestaffandboardtomeettheevolvingneedsoftheorganization.6. GrowfundraisingtoensureasustainableorganizationandNHA.


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APPENDICES


Big Sky Country NHA Feasibility Study 84

APPENDIX I CONCURRENT PLANNING DOCUMENTS

Education Plans

PLAN NAME ORGANIZATION PLAN AVAILABILITY INTEGRATION WITH BIG SKY COUNTRY NHA

Great Falls Public Schools Strategic Plan for 2019-2020, approved August 5, 2019

Great Falls Public Schools

https://gfps.k12.mt.us/wp-content/uploads/ 2019/08/2019-2020-Final-Goals-Key-Results-Objectives.pdf

One of the goals of this plan emphasizes student achievement and the goal to be creative beyond the traditional means and to explore additional project-based learning opportunities for K-12. The plan includes goals to strengthen community/business partnerships, improve curriculum materials, and continue focus on Indian Education best practices. Future collaboration could include projects to enhance the curriculum materials in the areas of MT history, social studies, and Indian education.

Indian Education for All Curriculums

Montana Office of Public Instruction

http://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Indian-Education-for-All/Indian-Education-Curriculum-Development-Implementation

Given the geographic region associated with the Big Sky Country NHA, schools can use expertise and community resources to ensure Indian Education for All as mandated by MCA 20-1-501 and the Montana Constitution. Given the funding from the State Legislature to support Montana Schools in this effort, the BSCNHA, Inc., can build and foster relationships in local communities to shape the success of rural schools in the implementation of Indian Education for All students. The OPI resource will provide a framework for implementation.

APPENDIXIBIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREACONCURRENTPLANNINGDOCUMENTS



Economic Development & Growth Plans


Cascade County Growth Policy Update, 2014

Cascade County Board of Cascade County Commissioners

http://www.cascadecountymt.gov/df/departments/public-works/planning/Adopted2014_GrowthPolicy.pdf

There are mutual purposes of the Cascade County Growth Policy and Big Sky Country NHA. Goal 1 is to sustain and strengthen the economic well-being of the county’s citizens by promoting development of cultural resources and tourism to broaden Cascade County’s economic base. Goal 2 focuses on protecting and rural character and the historic relationship with natural resource development. Goal 5 is to preserve and enhance the rural friendly and independent lifestyle of citizens by preserving and promoting the county’s cultural heritage, rooted in natural resource development and reflected in its numerous cultural, historic, and archaeological sites. BSCNHA, Inc., will honor traditions through education, supporting local events, and providing technical support for preservation activities desired by local citizenry.

Chouteau County Growth Policy, updated 2017

Chouteau County Commission, MT

http://www.co.chouteau.mt.us/index_htm_files/Chouteau%20Growth%20Policy%202017. pdf

The growth policy, in part, addresses the goal to enhance the recreational and cultural tourism opportunities throughout the county's rural areas, while protecting the environment, unique geological features, and national resources of the area as a means to diversify the economy.

City of Belt Growth Plan, adopted July 18, 2018

City of Belt City of Belt The Belt Growth Plan states the community supports the NHA initiative. Many action items align with NHA efforts. Big Sky Country NHA can assist the city with plans for improvements in the historic district through interpretive assistance, coordinating manpower for landscaping projects, promoting events at the Belt Performing Arts Center, the PRCA Rodeo, and events planned by the Belt Park Board. Big Sky Country NHA can also offer research assistance for the inventory of historic assets and the history of the coal mining region.




City of Great Falls Growth Plan and Update 2013, Imagine Great Falls

Planning & Community Development Department, City of Great Falls, MT

https://greatfallsmt.net/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning_and_community_development/page/27411/growth_policy_update_-_august_6_2013.pdf and https://greatfallsmt.net/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning_and_community_development/page/29271/imagine_great_falls_publicparticipation_results.pdf

Coordination with the City of Great Falls to maximize the benefits of the Big Sky Country NHA potential with the City.

City of Great Falls Downtown Master Plan, October 2011

Planning & Community Development Department, City of Great Falls, MT

https://greatfallsmt.net/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning_and_community_development/page/27411/dtmp_cc_public_hearing_final.pdf

The plan builds upon the assets and advantages of downtown as the cultural and civic center of Great Falls, with its historic buildings, parks and open spaces, and proximity to the Missouri River. The primary goal of the plan is to facilitate the creation of a downtown that is more active, vibrant, accessible, and livable, just as the NHA does.

Fort Benton Planning Area Growth Policy, 2010 update

Fort Benton City-County Planning Board

Fort Benton City-County Planning Board

Coordination with the City of Fort Benton to maximize the benefits of the Big Sky Country NHA potential with the City.

Town of Cascade Growth Policy, approved 2019

Town of Cascade Town of Cascade This is a planning document for the Town of Cascade. The plan specifically mentions identifying, protecting, rehabilitating/reusing historically and culturally significant structures and sites in town, as well as expanding recreation and cultural tourism as it pertains to parks, trails, and activities on the river. Big Sky Country NHA could offer technical assistance and volunteer resources as needed.




Town of Cascade Capital Improvements Plan, approved 2018

Town of Cascade Town of Cascade The CIP is a budgeting and financial tool to establish public works rehabilitation and maintenance priorities and to establish funding for repairs and improvements. Part of this plan outlines current and future needs of parks, trails, and other recreational facilities that Big Sky Country NHA could potentially partner on to enhance their viability for residents and tourists to Cascade.

Downtown Great Falls Targeted Block Redevelopment Visioning, February 2020

Downtown Development Partnership

Great Falls Development Authority

The targeted block redevelopment visions seek to protect and restore historic features of properties in the downtown Great Falls historic districts, attracting private investment that will lead to historically sensitive renovations and the opening of businesses that will attract more cultural tourists to the market.

Historic Preservation Plans


Preservation Montana, The Montana Historic Preservation Plan, 2018-2022

State Historic Preservation Office, State of Montana

https://mhs.mt.gov/Portals/11/shpo/docs/MontanaStatePlan_2018_2022.pdf

This plan is a guide for state and local preservation efforts and a tool in setting priorities and creating partnerships for the preservation of significant historic, archeological and traditional cultural places.

Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Benton Lake NWF Complex

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/refuges/ completedPlanPDFs_A-E/bnl_ccpfinal_all.pdf

The plan includes visitor services and cultural resources goals. Future partnerships could be in supporting both goals.




Cascade County/Great Falls Historic Preservation Advisory Commission Annual Goals and Objectives

Great Falls/Cascade County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission

https://greatfallsmt.net/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning_and_community_development/page/40821/goals_and_objectives.pdf

Assist the Big Sky Country NHA board in their effort to create Montana’s first NHA. Create a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines future cooperation between the two entities. Partner on preservation projects in Cascade County.

List of High Potential Historic Sites, NPS Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, 2017 - an addendum to Comprehensive Management Plan (underway).

U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/lecl/learn/historyculture/places.htm

Several Lewis and Clark sites within the Big Sky Country NHA boundary are considered high potential historic sites, to include Decision Point, Great Falls Lower Portage, Rainbow Falls, Giant Springs, Great Falls Upper Portage, Square Butte, and Tower Rock. Each of these sites are important to the Lewis and Clark story within our project area.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan, September 2018

U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/lecl/getinvolved/upload/LECL-LRIP-508_LowRes.pdf

With a portion of the LCNHT running through the Big Sky Country NHA, there are opportunities to partner with the NPS to assist with implementation of their interpretive plan in this area.



Interpretive Plans


Malmstrom AFB Museum Mission/Purpose, 2019

Malmstrom AFB Museum

Malmstrom AFB Museum

The Malmstrom Museum and Air Park is a non-profit museum operated by the USAF whose mission is to preserve the heritage and traditions of the USAF and share the story of missions from pre-WWII to today. The story aligns with the New West theme. Big Sky Country NHA can collaborate with the museum to promote educational programming and connect airmen/women to the greater community to garner support and understanding of the importance of their role in keeping America safe.

Montana’s Missouri Riverway – Great Falls Interpretive Program Plan, December 1997

Great Falls Interpretive Working Group

Park and Recreation Department, City of Great Falls

Coordination with various agencies along the Missouri riverway, one of the area’s premier attractions and the second-longest river in the U.S.



Land Use Plans

PLAN NAME ORGANIZATION PLAN AVAILAVILITY INTEGRATION WITH BIG SKY COUNTRY NHA

EPA DRAFT Land Use Plan (former Smelter Site, 2019)

Water Environmental Technologies, Inc. (WET)

Board of Cascade County Commissioners

Cascade County has been working in partnership with the Black Eagle community to determine acceptable future uses for repurposed Super Fund properties owned by ARCO. The county has contracted the services of WET to prepare a draft plan that will eventually be acted upon by the Cascade County Commission. When the final plan is approved and ready for implementation, Big Sky Country NHA can provide research and technical assistance for the county to use in their interpretive signage; partnership opportunities for implementation of the county’s planned infrastructure; and/or assistance with future onsite recreation management.

Missouri River Urban Corridor Master Plan

Missouri River Urban Corridor Plan Work Group and Great Falls City and Cascade County Planning Department

https://greatfallsmt.net/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning_and_community_development/page/27411/mrucp1.pdf

The Missouri River is a tremendous community asset. Not only is it a center for recreation and activity, it is part of Great Falls’ collective history, playing a key role in the economy and industry of the city. The Missouri River is also a central theme of the Big Sky Country NHA.



Recreation and Natural Resource Plans


First Peoples Buffalo Jump (Ulm Pishkun) State Park Management Plan, December 2005

Ulm Pishkun Advisory Committee and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

Ulm Pishkun (now, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park) is an important cultural and educational site, offering visitors opportunities to learn about buffalo and the cultures that depended on them. Big Sky Country NHA is an important partner to assist with aspects of implementing their education/interpretation, cultural resource management, and recreation management goals.

City of Great Falls Park and Recreation Master Plan, adopted October 2016

Park and Recreation Department, City of Great Falls, MT

https://greatfallsmt.net/sites/default/files/fileattachments/park_and_recreation/page/166661/great_falls_master_plan. pdf

Coordination with the city of Great Falls for future projects in city parks and with respect to area recreational opportunities. Great Falls is the largest municipality in the proposed NHA.

River’s Edge Trail Maintenance Plan, adopted April 2014

Montana State Parks; Great Falls Park and Recreation Dept.; River’s Edge Trail, Inc. (TD&H Engineering)

https://greatfallsmt.net/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning_and_community_development/page/41061/trail_maintenance_plan_2014.pdf

Coordination with Montana State Parks, the city of Great Falls and Recreational Trails Inc., who strive to maintain one of the highest-rated attractions in the region.

Smith River State Park and River Corridor, Recreation Management Plan, July 2009

Montana State Parks, division of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

State Headquarters, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Helena, MT

Smith River State Park and River Corridor, partly within Big Sky Country NHA, has natural features and settings, fishing opportunities, and moderate degree of difficulty for floaters. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks manages Smith River through partnerships with the people of Montana and their guests, landowners, outfitters, the US Forest Service, county officials, and other people who have a passion for this resource and how it is managed.

Giant Springs State Park, Park Area Management Plan, January 2004


Region 4 Montana State Parks, Great Falls, MT

This plan provided management guidance for Giant Springs State Park, a significant site centrally located within Great Falls and Big Sky Country NHA.




Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Draft Environmental Impact State (DEIS) for the Draft Revised Forest Management Plan (June 2018)

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Helena Supervisor’s Office

Many of the goals of the draft Forest Plan align with the role of an NHA. The Forest Service manages the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center in Great Falls, which aligns with the Lewis and Clark theme. Big Sky Country NHA anticipates partnering with the Forest Service to assist with educational programming about the LC story and the valuable natural resources and landscapes of the National Forest. Additionally, there are many historic recreation residences and special use resorts within the National Forest. Big Sky Country NHA can assist with technical assistance on the preservation practices to retain their historic character.

Kings Hill Scenic Byway Master Plan

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Great Falls Supervisor’s Office

Big Sky Country NHA could partner with the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest to expand upon the management goals of the plan: 1. Improve the local, rural economy by encouraging more and longer visits to the general area. 2. Enhance the present and future recreation opportunities. 3. Improve the public’s understanding and awareness of the resources of the Little Belt Mountains and how these resources continue to provide for society.

Montana State Parks Heritage Resources Strategic Plan, 2017-2024, February 2017



This plan helps further inform program coordination and management of heritage resources within the park system and the parks included in Big Sky Country NHA.

A New Day for Montana State Parks/ Parks in Focus Commission Final Recommenda-tions, December 2018

Parks in Focus Commission

https://resourceslegacyfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/A-New-Day-for-Montana-State-Parks_1-2-2019-00473280xA1C15.pdf

This document contains recommendations for Montana State Parks, which would have an impact on tourism, economic growth, and recreational opportunities in the state and within Big Sky Country NHA.




Charting a New Tomorrow: Montana State Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan, 2015-2020



One of the goals stated in the plan is to foster strategic partnerships and an engaged constituency with visitors and key stakeholders that have a shared interest in the success of the Montana State Park system. With five state parks (one of them also an NHL) within our project area, Big Sky Country NHA is a logical partner in this endeavor.

Enhancing Montana’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy: State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, 2020-2024


https://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Interim/2019-2020/EQC/ Meetings/Jan-2020/ scorp-2020-2024.pdf

Identifies major outdoor recreation trends, needs, and issues of statewide importance, both at the state and regional level, including within the Big Sky Country NHA.

Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan, 2008

U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Lewistown Field Office

https://ia801603.us.archive.org/35/items/uppermissouririv00unit/uppermissouririv00unit.pdf

This National Monument adjoins the Big Sky Country NHA to add 149 miles of Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River. A strong relationship with the Bureau of Land Management is important in promoting education and tourism throughout our Upper Missouri region.



Tourism and Marketing Plans


Great Falls MT Tourism Strategic Plan – Adopted April 18, 2019

Great Falls Montana Tourism


Cultural tourism is a key component of the Great Falls Montana Tourism Alliance’s strategic plan, seeking to protect, enhance and promote visitor experiences in Great Falls and in a day trip radius of the city, which encompasses all of the proposed NHA. Tourism strategic themes include the arts, historical locations, museums, natural environment, and cultural events.

Montana’s Basecamp for Art and Adventure: 2020 Marketing Plan, July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020


https://visitgreatfallsmontana.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2020-Plan.pdf

This marketing plan implements the Great Falls Montana Tourism Strategic Plan listed above. The plan promotes cultural, historical, arts, museum, and events in the region.

Central Montana Tourism Marketing Plan, approved April 11, 2019

Central Montana Tourism Board of Directors

https://marketmt.com/Portals/129/shared/RegionsCVBs/docs/FY20%20Marketing%20Plans/October%202019/Central%20Montana%20Oct%202019.pdf?ver=2019-10-29-113057-273

The characteristics of Central Montana’s target market include those who value local business and locally grown or produced items; enjoy our scenic landscapes; and value access to public lands, waterways, and open space. This plan’s objectives focus on heritage travelers and those seeking an educational experience.



Transportation Plan


Transportation Improvement Program, FFY 2019-FFY2023

Great Falls Planning Board

https://greatfallsmt.net/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning_and_community_development/page/41061/great_falls_tip_2019-23_ amendment. pdf

The TIP is a multi-year program of transportation projects developed by the city of Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana DOT, and the Great Falls Transit District that includes a list of priority road improvement projects. BSCNHA, Inc., can provide input about events that might attract large numbers of travelers and/or tourism developments (i.e. trail connections) for consideration in future transportation priority setting.

Other Plans


Strategic Plan, City of Belt, Montana, approved March 21, 2018 and Strategic Plan Annual Review, 2019, August 7, 2019

City of Belt, MT City of Belt, MT This annual review proposes historic preservation and interpretive programming enhancements to the city. Big Sky Country NHA can offer technical assistance in the effort to inventory historic sites and provide research and mapping assistance to create the proposed Now and Then map of historic asset locations.

Great Falls, Montana Development Authority Strategic Plan, September 2019

Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA)

https://growgreatfallsmontana.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/GFDA-Strategic-Plan_Clean.pdf

This regional economic development plan encompasses the entire Big Sky Country NHA region. Priorities include growing the tourism sector, downtown revitalization, enhancement of the river corridor, and continued community improvements to retain and attract talent. The plan details economic development services like gap and bridge financing, business planning, business development, and brownfield redevelopment important for historic preservation and renovation projects.




Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Trail Stewardship Endowment: A National Council of the Lewis & Clark Expedition Bicentennial Legacy Project, 10 Year Report, 2006-2016. July 7, 2016

Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation


This endowment was a gift to the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation for stewardship projects across the LCNHT and the Eastern Legacy route. Considering Lewis and Clark is a major theme of the Big Sky Country NHA, this could potentially be a funding source for Lewis and Clark-related projects within the project area.

Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation Strategic Plan and Action Plan March 2018, updated November 2, 2018



Several goals of the strategic and action plans align with the purpose of Big Sky Country NHA; and the NHA can assist with promotion, technical assistance, interpretive planning, event promotion, and collaboration on programming related to the Lewis and Clark story to help implement these plans.

Keepers of the Story, Stewards of the Trail: An Administrative History of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Jackie Gonzales, and Emily Greenwald, Historic Research Associates, 2019



A partnership with the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, headquartered in Great Falls, is important to keeping the story of Lewis and Clark alive in the Big Sky Country NHA, particularly through projects.

C.M. Russell Museum 2019-2024 Exhibition Schedule, Sept. 2019

C.M. Russell Museum

C.M. Russell Museum Our focus on increasing heritage tourism in Big Sky Country NHA should add increased visitation for exhibitions at the C.M. Russell Museum.

C.M. Russell Museum Strategic Plan for 2019-2022, approved June 2018

C.M. Russell Museum

C.M. Russell Museum One of the goals in the plan is to work with other interested educational, cultural, and historical entities to enrich programming. This fits within the scope of Big Sky Country NHA as the C.M. Russell Home and Studio NHL is within our boundary.




Commemora-tion and Collaboration: Administrative History of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, 2018, Jackie Gonzales and Emily Greenwald

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Omaha Office, NPS

http://npshistory.com/ publications/lecl/adhi. pdf

As the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail continues to build its legacy in the post-bicentennial era, reengaging tribal and other partners are crucial to ensuring the Lewis and Clark story maintains viability. A strong partnership between the Big Sky Country NHA and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail could be key for success.

Get Fit Great Falls Strategic Plan 2020-2023

Get Fit Great Falls

Get Fit Great Falls Get Fit Great Falls intends to increase walkability and improved wayfinding in the Great Falls community by incorporating opportunities for interpretive walks through historic districts in the downtown area. GFGF also plans to expand interpretive opportunities in the south side of Great Falls to bring awareness of the city’s history into those walking neighborhoods. BSCNHA, Inc., can collaborate on the assembly of those historic stories and assist with walking tours during the annual Summer Trails Day event sponsored by GFGF to introduce the community to these interesting, walkable routes.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Foundation Document, December 2012



This management document assists the NPS LECL staff in establishing goals, assessing planning needs, and identifying and analyzing resources and values of the trail. A collaborative relationship with BSCNHA, Inc., could assist the NPS LECL in implementing their goals on the L&C Trail in our area.

Monarch-Neihart Historical Group Long Range Plan 2018-2023

Monarch-Neihart Historical Group


The plan supports both the MNHG’s and the Big Sky Country NHA’s goals of promoting and preserving the Monarch-Neihart area.




Montana Performing Arts Consortium Strategic Plan, 1993 and updated 2015

Montana Performing Arts Consortium

Montana Performing Arts Consortium, Great Falls, MT office

Art is one of the main themes of the Big Sky Country NHA, and a relationship with the Montana Performing Arts Consortium could be beneficial in promoting the arts in our project area, as well as helping develop new communities and presenters to an arts series and providing education and training for artists and presenters.

The Montana History Foundation Strategic Priorities 2017-2020, adopted May 2017

Montana History Foundation


The History Foundation helps preserve Montana history by making grants and creating collaborative initiatives. They leverage the generosity of donors to create opportunities for Montana communities to expand economic development through heritage tourism and historic preservation. This plan focuses solidifying the History Foundation’s internal and external capacity to achieve those goals through 2020 and beyond.

Montana Wilderness Association Strategic Plan 2018-2021, approved September 2017

State Office of MWA, Helena, MT

State Office of MWA, Helena, MT

MWA’s strategy of preserving outdoor opportunities while working with diverse communities to conserve multiple human and natural values and connections to place integrates well with the NHA’s vision and mission of preserving area heritage and enhancing the human connection to it.

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art Strategic Plan, 2016-2020

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art

This significant cultural center plans for the presentation of contemporary art exhibitions; builds a substantial permanent collection; preserves and utilizes a National Register listed building; and provides art education for all ages echoing a significant focus on art by the Big Sky Country NHA.




University of Providence Strategic Plan, December 1, 2017

University of Providence Board of Trustees

https://www.uprovidence.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/UP_Strategy_FINAL-BOARD-APPROVED.pdf

As Central Montana’s only four-year university, University of Providence provides students with the opportunity to obtain a liberal arts education for living and making a living. UP offers a link to both academia and students looking to further their education, both which help to build the economic framework of Big Sky Country NHA.


APPENDIXIIBIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREA,INC.BOARDOFDIRECTORSJune2020

OFFICERSJaneWeber,CascadeCountyCommissionerChairRichEcke,Journalist(retired)ViceChair

LynetteScriver-Colburn,RSVPManagerUnitedWayofCascadeCountySecretaryJerryL.Lehman,ShareholderJunkermier,Clark,Campanella,Stevens,P.C.Treasurer

BOARDMEMBERSCarolBronson,CommunityEngagementCoordinatorNeighborWorksGreatFallsBrettDoney,President&CEOGreatFallsDevelopmentAuthorityGayleFisher,ExecutiveDirectorCentralMontanaTourismRegionConnieJenkins,CoordinatorFortBentonSummerCelebrationChrisLaTray,AuthorLittleShellTribeofChippewaIndiansofMontanaReneéMcDonald,EducatorFortBentonElementarySchoolHon.MurryMoore,MayorTownofCascade

CharlenePorsild,Ph.D.,President&CEOMontanaHistoryFoundationKenRobison,HistorianEllenSievert,CulturalResourceConsultantSievert&Sievert

JohnTaillie,RegionalManagerMontanaStateParksRegional

MaryWillmarth,Co-OwnerVisionWestLEGALCOUNSELTOTHEBOARDBillBronsonEX-OFFICIOMEMBERKateMcCourt,HistoricPreservationOfficerGreatFalls-CascadeCountyTheboardacknowledgesthetime,intellectualcontributions,andcommitmentofpreviousboardmembersnotlisted,includingthelateDr.RuthKnudsenandthelateDr.NicholasVrooman.ItisinappreciationofalloftheireffortsthattheBigSkyCountryNHA,Inc.,BoardofDirectorsproudlyadvancesthisfeasibilitystudytotheNationalParkServiceandtheUnitedStatesCongress.


ORGANIZATIONACTIVITY/MISSION of

ORGANIZATION

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: CURRENT CONTRIBUTOR

(CC) POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTOR (PC)

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR OTHER IN-KIND SERVICE

Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO)

Preservation & development of Superfund recreational site

Annual financial contributions (CC)

Black Eagle Superfund Site re-purposing

Bear Paw Development Corporation

Economic development Grants (PC), loansHaz-mat surveys (Brownfields) & removal, business development, grant writing assistance

C.M. Russell MuseumPreservation, tourism, education

In-kind (CC)Planning, protection, & promotion of C.M. Russell NHL

Cascade CountyEconomic development, preservation, conservation, recreation

In-kind (CC), funding of Historic Preservation Officer & other staff time (Jane) (CC)

Board membership (CC); identification, evaluation, & protection of significant resources within the NHA; meeting space for committee meetings; growth policies

Certified Local Government/Great Falls-Cascade County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission

Preservation, economic development, recreation, tourism

In-kind (CC)Project assistance, preservation planning, National Register assistance, cultural resource surveys

Chouteau CountyEconomic development, preservation, conservation, recreation

In-kind (PC)Board membership (PC), growth policies

City of Great Falls Preservation, conservation, recreation, tourism

In-kind & funding of HPO (CC)

Heritage database mapping, IT support, office space, meeting space, staff assistance, events & projects (City Parks and Recreation)

Fort Benton Community Improvement Association

Economic development, tourism, preservation

Contribution (CC) & in-kind (PC)

Operations funding & project funding & assistance

Key Partners

APPENDIXIIIBIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREAPARTNERS


Great Falls Development Authority

Economic development Grants (PC), loans

Board membership (CC), haz-mat surveys (Brownfields) & removal, business development, grant writing assistance


Tourism promotion Grants (PC), in-kind (CC)Online tourism promotion for significant resources within the NHA, project asssistance

Historic Preservation Officer

Preservation, economic development

In-kind (CC)

Ex-officio board membership (CC), project assistance, technical assistance in historic preservation, heritage database assistance

Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation

Preservation, conservation, recreation, tourism

Grants (CC)Preservation & promotion of the L & C National Historic Trail


Preservation of significant historic resources in Montana

Grants (PC)Board membership (CC), grant writing assistance

Montana State Historic Preservation Office

PreservationIn-kind (PC), grants (PC), contributions (PC)

Technical assistance on historic matters

Montana State ParksPreservation, conservation, recreation

In-kind (CC)

Board membership (CC), recreational trail acquistion & development, preservation/promotion of First Peoples Buffalo Jump NHL & 4 other state parks within the NHA

NorthWestern Energy Economic developmentAnnual financial contribution (CC)

Recreational development, historic preservation, NHL evaluation, dam & powerhouse preservation, tourism

Sweetgrass Development

Economic development Grants (PC), loansHaz-mat surveys (Brownfields) & removal, business development, grant writing assistance

Town of BeltPreservation, conservation, recreation, tourism

In-kind (PC)

Board membership (PC), preservation & promotion of Belt National Register district & other significant resources, recreational trail development

Town of CascadePreservation, conservation, recreation, tourism

In-kind (PC)

Board membership (CC), preservation planning for Cascade, National Register identification & evaluation

Town of Fort BentonPreservation, conservation, recreation, tourism

In-kind (PC)

Board membership (PC), preservation planning for Fort Benton NHL & other significant resources


Town of NeihartPreservation, conservation, recreation, tourism

In-kind (PC)Preservation of significant resources in Neihart, recreational trail development

Central Montana Tourism

Tourism Grants (PC), in-kind (CC)Board membership (CC), promotion/marketing of significant resources within the NHA

Lewis & Clark Foundation (local)

Tourism, educationIn-kind (CC), contributions (PC)

Member of Fundraising Committee (CC), planning & promotion for the L & C Interpretive Center

Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana

Education, heritage tourism, culture

In-kind (CC)Expert panel (CC), project assistance, technical assistance on cultural matters


Preservation, conservation, recreation, tourism

In-kind (CC)

Land acquisition; identification, evaluation, & preservation of significant resources; recreational trail development

Montana Historical Society

Preservation, heritage tourism, education, intepretation

In-kind (PC)Technical assistance on historic matters

Montana Preservation Alliance

Preservation In-kind (PC), grants (PC)Technical assistance on historic matters

Sun River Valley Historical Society

Preservation, tourism, education, intepretation

In-kind (PC)Planning, preservation, & promotion of Fort Shaw & other area resources

The History MuseumPreservation, heritage tourism, education, intepretation

In-kind (PC)Technical assistance on historic matters

1st Bank of MontanaEconomic development, banking

Contribution (PC) Project funding

1st Interstate BankEconomic development, banking

Contribution (CC) Project funding

Belt Valley BankEconomic development, banking

Contribution (CC) Project funding

BNSF Railroad TransportationAnnual financial contribution (PC)

Operational and/or project funding

Bureau of Land Management

Recreation In-kind (PC)Upper Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center events, programming, and/or staffing

CargillEconomic development, food, agriculture, research & development

Contribution (PC), in-kind (PC)

Project funding and/or assistance, events

Cascade BankEconomic development, banking


Current Partners

Potential Partners


Community Beautification Assn.

Community beautification Contribution (PC) Project funding

DA DavidsonFinancial planner, wealth management, investment banking

Annual financial contribution (PC)


Downtown Development Partnership

Preservation, economic development, downtown revitalization

In-kind (PC) Project assistance, wayfinding

Farmers UnionEconomic development, education, recreation

Annual financial contribution (PC), in-kind (PC)

Project assistance

Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce

Tourism, economic development, promotion

In-kind (PC)Events and assistance with business promotion

Friends of the Missouri River Breaks

Conservation, recreation In-kind (PC) Project assistance

Great Falls Business Improvement District

Tourism, economic development, downtown revitalization

Grants (PC), in-kind (PC)Project assistance, promotion of Downtown Historic District, urban art

Great Falls Chamber of Commerce

Tourism, economic development, promotion

In-kind (PC)Events and assistance with business promotion

Montana Grain GrowersEconomic development, education, ag producation

In-kind (PC) Agri-tourism projects

MT Department of Commerce

Preservation, economic development

Grants (PC), in-kind (PC) Operational and/or project funding

Museum ConsortiumPreservation, tourism, education, intepretation

In-kind (PC) Projects and events

Pacific Steel Economic developmentAnnual financial contribution (PC)


Portage Route ChapterPreservation and promotion of Great Falls Portage NHL

Contributions (PC), in-kind (PC)

Educational programming, interpretive signage, events

Preservation Cascade, Inc.

Preservation of significant resources

In-kind (PC) Project assistance

Rivers and Plains SocietyPreservation, education, tourism

In-kind (PC) Project assistance and events

River's Edge TrailPreservation & promotion of National Recreation Trail

In-kind (PC)Project and technical assistance, promotion

Rural Electric Co-opsEconomic development, promotion, education



Service Organizations (Kiwanis, Optimists, Lions, Rotary, etc.)

Community service In-kind (PC) Project assistance

Stockman BankEconomic development, banking


US Fish & Wildlife Service

Recreation In-kind (PC)Events at Benton Lake, interpretation and education

US Forest Service Recreation In-kind (PC)

Events, programming at the Interpretive Center, staffing at the Interpretive Center, Sulphur Spring Trail and/or other trails, possible trailhead at the Monarch area

Wells Fargo BankEconomic development, banking

Contribution (PC)Project assistance, preservation planning, National Register assistance, cultural resource surveys


1. PortageRouteChapterMembers–LeeEbeling,WaltWalker,NormAnderson,DonPeterson2. RiverandPlainsSociety–LarryCook3. MayorofFortBenton–RickMorris4. President/CEOofNorthWesternEnergy–BobRowe5. PresidentandBoardMemberofRiver’sEdgeTrail–BrucePollingtonandAndersBlewett6. BusinessDevelopmentatGreatFallsDevelopmentAuthority–JoleneSchalper7. GreatFallsMontanaTourism–RebeccaEngum8. President/CEOofGreatFallsChamberofCommerce–ShaneEtzwiler9. ChairmanofGreatFallsAreaCommunityFoundation–LoriEckhardt10. MayorofGreatFalls–BobKelly11. MontanaFarmer’sUnion–ChrisChristiaens12. ChairmanofLittleShellTribeoftheChippewaIndiansofMontana–GeraldGray13. MayorofBelt–JimOlson14. BeltPerformingArtsCenter–AmyOlson15. MontanaFlourandGrains–KarynGiles16. GrandUnionHotel–CherylGagnon17. MontanaOfficeofTourismandBusinessDevelopment–SeanBecker18. Administrator,MontanaStateParks–BethShumate19. ForestSupervisor,Helena/LewisandClarkNationalForests–BillAvey20. RepresentativefromBP/ARCO–DougBirkbeck,BusinessLiabilityManager21. ChouteauCountyPerformingArts–RandyMorger22. LocalHistorianandPreservationActivist–CherylHutchinson

APPENDIXIVBIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREASTAKEHOLDERINTERVIEWSCONDUCTEDSPRING&SUMMER2018


DATE of PRESENTATIONORGANIZATION RECEIVING

PRESENTATIONPRESENTER(S) ATTENDANCE

2015Friday, January 30, 2015 & Saturday, January 31, 2015

Grand Tour I Lee Nellis 100

2016

Friday, April 1, 2016 Grand Tour IIJohn Taillie, Lynette Scriver, Bill Bronson, Jane Weber

70

Tuesday, April 26, 2016Lewis and Clark County Commissioners and HPAC

Ellen Sievert and Jane Weber

14

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Fort Benton (Chouteau County Commissioner, Fort Benton City Council, Planning Board and Community Members

Bill Bronson, Jane Weber, Ken Robison

14

Monday, May 16, 2016Fergus and Phillips County Commissioners and Community Members (Winifred, MT)

Bill Bronson, Jane Weber, Ken Robison, Ellen Sievert

50

Wednesday, May 18, 2016Business Advocacy Committee of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce

Jane Weber, Ellen Sievert, Mary Willmarth

12

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 Cascade County CommissionersTracy Houck, Ruthann Knudson, Ellen Sievert, Ken Robison

3

Thursday, May 19, 2016Follow-up Meeting, Cascade County Commissioners Briggs and Larson

Ken Robison and Ruthann Knudson

2

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 Chouteau County Commissioners Ken Robison 4Tuesday, June 7, 2016 Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce Ken Robison 7

Monday, June 13, 2016Follow-up Meeting, Cascade County Commissioners Briggs and Larson

Ruthann Knudson and Ken Robison

2

Tuesday, June 14, 2016GOP Party - Roger Hagen, Brian Hoven, Ed Buttrey, Steve Fitzpatrick, etc.

Bill Bronson and Jane Weber

12

Monday, June 20, 2016 Fort Benton City CouncilKen Robison and Bill Bronson

17

Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Lion's Club, Great FallsJane Weber and Ruthann Knudson

19

Tuesday, June 21, 2016River and Plains Society Board Meeting, Fort Benton

Ken Robison 16

Thursday, June 23, 2016 TBID/CVBJane Weber and Gayle Fisher

9

APPENDIXV(A)BIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREAPUBLICINVOLVEMENT—PRESENTATIONS


2017

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 PEO at NeighborWorksJane Weber and Bill Bronson

21

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 North Central MT RC&DJane Weber and Ruthann Knudson

3

Sunday, March 12, 2017 Montana Dude Ranchers AssociationJane Weber and Gayle Fisher

25

Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Kiwanis Club Jane Weber 7

Monday, April 3, 2017 Sun River Valley Historical SocietyJane Weber and Ken Robison

30

Monday, April 10, 2017 Cascade Conservation DistrictJane Weber and Bill Bronson

11

Monday, April 17, 2017 Portage Route Chapter of the LCHTFJane Weber and Lindy Hatcher

9

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 Helena Rotary ClubBill Bronson and Ellen Sievert

30

Wednesday, May 3, 2017 Black Eagle Civic Group Carol Bronson 12

Monday, June 5 2017Gates of the Mountains Chapter of the LCTHF

Carol Bronson, Ellen Sievert, Lindy Hatcher

10

Friday, August 18, 2017NHA Montana Exploratory Group (Bozeman)

Bill and Carol Bronson 6

Monday, August 28, 2017 Montana History FoundationKen Robison and Charlene Porsild

26

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Business and Professional WomenJane Weber and Lindy Hatcher

7

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Town Council Cascade Jane Weber 8

Friday, October 6, 2017NHA Montana Exploratory Group (Bozeman)

Bill and Carol Bronson 17

Wednesday, October 18, 2017Great Falls Conservation Consortium & MT Wilderness Assn.

Jane Weber and Bill Bronson

36

Friday, November 3, 2017 NorthWestern EnergyJane Weber, Bill Bronson, and Heidi Hockett

1

Monday, November 13, 2017 Salvation Army Women's Auxilliary Jane Weber 35

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 Great Falls RisingJane Weber and Bill Bronson

64

Thursday, January 19, 2017Community Dinner at Ag Museum, Fort Benton

Augie Carlino, Nancy Morgan, Jane Weber

30

Saturday, January 21, 2017Community Presentation at Cascade Senior Center

Jane Weber, Bill Bronson, Murry Moore

10


2018

Thursday, February 1, 2018 L&C-Helena National Forest, SOJane Weber and Bill Bronson

8

Thursday, February 8, 2018 PEO Organization Jane Weber 25

Friday, February 9, 2018NC Montana Retired Teachers Association

Jane Weber 38

Tuesday, May 1, 2018Meeting with State of Montana officials, Lt. Govornor, L&C County Commission, USFS, City of Helena Mayor

Augie Carlino, Nancy Morgan, Jane Weber

20

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Community Conversation, HelenaAugie Carlino, Nancy Morgan, Jane Weber

12

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Community Conversation, Fort BentonAugie Carlino, Nancy Morgan, Jane Weber

41

Thursday, May 3, 2018 Community Conversation, Great FallsAugie Carlino, Nancy Morgan, Jane Weber

60

2019

Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Community Conversation, Fort BentonAugie Carlino, Nancy Morgan, Jane Weber

65

Thursday, January 31, 2019 Community Conversation, Black EagleAugie Carlino, Nancy Morgan, Jane Weber

105

Saturday, June 15, 2019Information Booth at the Lewis and Clark Festival

Jane Weber, John Taillie, Rich Ecke, Gayle Fisher

100

Saturday, June 29, 2019Information Booth at the Summer Celebration, Fort Benton

Ken Robison, Charlene Porsild, Gayle Fisher, Kate McCourt, Jane Weber

40

Saturday, August 24, 2019Information Booth at the Little Shell PowWow/ First People's Buffalo Jump

Jane Weber and Gayle Fisher

95

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Final Community Coversation, BeltAugie Carlino, Nancy Morgan, Jane Weber, Ellen Sievert

110

Thursday, October 17, 2019Presentation to the Community Improvement Association, Fort Benton

John Taillie, Jane Weber

6

Total Number of Presentations: 51Total Number of Attendees: 1,474


APPENDIXV(B)BIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREAPUBLICINVOLVEMENT-PRESENTATIONS

SincetheinceptionofcreatingaNationalHeritageAreainMontana(early2015),boardmembersoftheBigSkyCountryNHACorporationhavemade51formalpresentationstostateandlocalelectedgovernmentofficials,businessleaders,ranchers,andthegeneralpublic.Nearly1,500peopleattendedthesemeetings,someofwhichundoubtedlyattendedmorethanonepresentationorpublicmeeting.Fortyofthosemeetings(820attendees)wereconductedpriortothestartoftheFeasibilityStudyandtheformalpublicengagementprocess.Boardmembersmadethesepresentationstolocalelectedofficialsandmanyservice/education/businessorganizationstwiceinlargepublicsessions,butofteninsmallgroupsettings.AnintroductoryPowerPointprogramwascreatedbytheboardtointroducecommunitymemberstothepurposeofNationalHeritageAreas,theeconomic,preservationandeducationalvalueNHAsprovidecommunities,theprocesstoachieveNHAstatusandmakeattendeesawareofthevolunteerboardmemberswhohaveraisedfundsandworkedthroughtheprocesstogainfederaldesignation.AlthoughalistingofallthepresentationsmadeisprovidedintheAppendixIV,followingisasummationofseveralimportantsessionsconductedbyboardmembers.January30(evening)andJanuary31,2015(morning)GrandTourIPublicMeetingintheMissouriRoomintheCivicCenterinGreatFalls,MT(100attendees)DeterminingthepotentialforthecreationofaNationalHeritageAreawasagoaloftheGreatFalls-CascadeCountyHistoricPreservationAdvisoryCommission,aCertifiedLocalGovernmentboard.Theinitialproject,fundedbyaStateHistoricPreservationOfficegrantandtheTourismBusinessImprovementDistrict,includedbothaprofessionalheritagetourismassessmentandapublicmeetingtodiscussthepotentialofadesignationofaNationalHeritageArea.

Mediaincluded:on-lineelectronicpostcard,noticesonCityofGreatFallsPlanningDepartmentwebsite,NewsreleasestothelocalmediainGreatFalls;postersinthecommunity.Alsoincludedanon-linesurvey.

MeetingStructure:PresentationsbyCharlesFlynn,ExecutiveDirectoroftheYumaCrossingNHA,AZaboutthecreationandmanagementofaNHA,partnershipsandthecommunity’ssuccessinmanagingtwostatehistoricparksthreatenbyclosureduetostatebudgetcuts.VickySoderbergofCygnetStrategiesreportedontheVisitorAssessmentconductedduringthesummerof2014byateamofprofessionaltravelerswhoutilizedon-lineinformation,on-siteinformationtoplantripstotheGreatFallscommunity.TheAssessmentresultsprovidedsuggestionsonwaystobuildonGreatFalls’senseofplaceandheritage.ConsiderableQ&Athroughoutthemeeting.Thepublicworkedattablestodrawtheirfavoritehistoric,heritageorrecreationplacesintheGreatFallsvicinityandbeyondthecitylimits.

Attheculminationofthemeeting,LeeNellis,DeputyPlanningandCommunityDevelopmentDirectorfortheCityofGreatFalls,askedforashowofhandsindicatingwhetherthecommunityshouldpursuetheconceptofseekingfederaldesignationofaNationalHeritageArea.Theresponsewasoverwhelminglyinsupport.


April1,2016GrandTourIIPublicMeetingintheMissouriRoomattheCivicCenterinGreatFalls,MT(70attendees)MeetingwasorganizedbythenewlyestablishedboardofDirectorsfortheUpperMissouriRiverHeritageAreaPlanningCorporation,Inc.forthepurposeofupdatingthosewhoattendedtheinitialGrandTourI;introducingattendeestotheUMRHAPCboardofdirectors;reviewingwhataNHAisandcandoforcommunities;revealingproposedboundaryfromresourcesidentifiedattheGrandTourIpublicmeeting,theextensivedatabaseofresourcesthatwasbeingdevelopedandmaintainedbythecityGIScoordinator;reviewingthestrategicplan(mission,goalsandactionsteps)createdinFall2015withtheassistanceoffacilitatorMarkWillmarth;reviewingtheadministrativeaccomplishments(501(c)(3)soontobefiled,articlesofincorporationandbylawscompleted;revealinginitialsixthemes(AmericanIndians,ExplorationandSettlement,Transportation,Military,Industrial/Agriculture,andArt).Largedisplaysofeachofthethemesandtheirsubthemeswaspostedoneaselsthroughouttheroomsoattendeesfullyunderstoodtheintentofeachtheme.

Commentformswereprovidedonallthetablesaskingforinputinthreeareas:1. DraftNHAboundary(headerread:Iwouldliketomakesomesuggestionsabout

historical/culturalsitesofsignificancethatyoushouldconsider).Commenterswereaskedtoidentifythecountytheirstorywaslocatedinanddescribethenationalsignificanceofthesiteorstoryanddescribethelocationofthesiteindetail.NOTE:atthistimetheboundaryincludedallofCascadeandChouteauCountiesaswellastheMissouriRiverbeyondChouteauCountytoincludetheentireupperMissouriNationalWildandScenicRiverterminatingatKippbridgeonUS191,andthelandsborderingtheMissouriRiverBreaksNationalMonument,andlandsalongtheMissouriRiverbeyondCascadeCountytoGatesoftheMountains

2. Themes(headerread:Iwouldliketoaddsomeideasorstoriesforoneofthethemes.Circlethethemeyouarechoosingtoprovidecomments.Pleaseuseadifferentformforeachthemeyouchoosetoaddress)

3. Volunteering(headerread:Iwouldliketovolunteerforoneofthecommittees.Pleasecirclethecommitteeyouareinterestedinandwewillcontactyouwithmoreinformation–Fundraising,Database,Communications/PublicEngagement)

MediaIncluded:on-lineelectronicpostcardnoticeusingexistingemailsofattendeestoGrandTourI,newsreleasestothelocalmediainGreatFallsandtheairingofaPSAonradiostations.

MeetingStructure:PowerPointpresentationbyUMRHAPCboardofdirectorsandProBonoCounselfollowedbytablediscussionfacilitatedbyUMRHAPCboardmemberstoenlistmembersforthefollowingcommittees-FundraisingCommittee,DatabaseCommitteeandCommunications/PublicEngagementCommittee.

Contributions:FirstInterstateBank,Pizazz,CommunityImprovementAssociationinFortBenton,CMRussellMuseum,DADavidsonCompany,GreatFalls-CascadeCountyHistoricPreservationAdvisoryCommission,JCCSCorporation,RandyMorger,NorthwesternEnergy,andtheTourismBusinessImprovementDistrict.April26,2016MeetingwiththeLewisandClarkCountyCommissionersandtheCity-CountyHistoricPreservationAdvisoryCommissionintheCountyofficesinHelena,MT(14attendees)UponinvitationoftheHPAC,severalboardmembersmadeapresentationtothecommissionandtoLewisandClarkCountyCommissionersAndyHunthausenandSusanGoodGeiseontheprogressoftheUMRHAPC.ThemeetingconsistedofaPowerPointpresentationfollowedbyQ&A.


May5,2016PresentationtotheChouteauCountyCommissioners,membersoftheFortBentonTownCouncilandtheCityPlanningBoard.ThiswasanopenpublicmeetingintheSheriff’sOfficeareainFortBenton.(14attendees)

MeetingStructure:APowerPointpresentationwasmadefollowedbyQ&A.Severalfarmer/ranchersattendedandaskedquestionsaboutpotentialinfringementofprivatepropertyrights.May16,2016PresentationtotheFergusandPhillipsCountyCommissionersandfarmers/ranchersinthetwo-countyarea(50attendees)ThroughoutApril,theUMRHAPCmademultiplecallstotheFergusCountyCommissionersrequestinganopportunitytodiscusstheproposedNHAeffortandthepreliminaryboundarywiththecommissionersandtheirconstituentsinapublicforum.Theinitialrequestswererebuffedseveraltimes.Afterseveralfailedattemptstoschedulethismeeting,theFergus/PhillipsCountyCommissionersrelentedandagreedtoscheduleapresentationinWinifred,MT.

MeetingStructure:FourUMRHAPCboardmembersandtheirprobonocounselattendedthemeetingandsharedinthepresentationofaPowerPointprogram,thenfollowedbyaQ&Asession.SincetheFergusandPhillipsCountycommissionshadalreadypassedresolutionsopposingconsiderationofanNHAintheircounties,thismeetingwasessentiallydesignedtosimplyprovidethefactsaboutNHAdesignation,allayconcernsaboutprivatepropertyrightsissuesandthankthecommunitiesforlistening.TheUMRHAPChadbythistimealreadydiscussedremovingalllandswithinthosetwocounties.May18,2016PresentationtotheCascadeCountyCommissionersintheCommissionChambersinGreatFalls,MT.ThePowerPointpresentationwasshown,followedbyaQ&Asession.January24,2017PressReleaseandattendanceatNorthwesternEnergy’sAnnualPublicmeetinginGreatFallsTheUMRHAPCreleasedapressannouncementstatingtherecentaccomplishmentsoftheUMRHAPCboardofdirectorsandinvitingfolkstocontactaboardmemberiftheirorganizationwouldlikeapresentationontheNHAprocessandprogress.ThenewsreleasewassenttoallradioandprintmediaintheFortBenton,Helena,GreatFallsarea.

AttheNorthwesternEnergyannualcommunitymeetingonJanuary24,2017attheHistoryMuseuminGreatFalls,theUMRHAPCprovidedpostcardsonalloftheattendees’tablesidentifyingthefollowing:

• MissionoftheUMRHAPC• Listingofthewebsite• InvitationforanUMRHAPCboardmembertoprovideapresentationtoanypublicorprivate

organizationApproximately75businessandcommunityleadersattendedthismeetingandhadtheopportunitytoobtainapostcard.May1,2018BriefingattheGovernor’sOffice

• LtGovernorMikeCooney• BruceWhittenberg,DirectoroftheMontanaHistoricalSociety• WilmotCollins,MayorofHelena• AndyHunthausen,LewisandClarkCountyCommissioner• SeanBecker,DivisionAdministrator,MTOfficeofTourismandBusinessDevelopment• BethShumate,MontanaStateParksAdministrator


• KateHampton,SHPOOfficer,MTHistoricalSociety• MartyMitzkus,Helena-LewisandClarkNationalForestrepresentativeforForestSupervisor,Bill

Avey• JasonSmith,MontanaIndianAffairs• TashWisemiller,MTMainStreetCoordinator,CommunityDevelopmentDivision,MTDept.of

Commerce• KenFichtler,Director,Governor’sOfficeofEconomicDevelopment

May1,2018CommunityConversationatMT.HistoricalSocietyMay2,2018CommunityConversationatMTAgriculturalCenterinFortBentonMay3,2018CommunityConversationinMissouriRoomatCivicCenterinGreatFallsMediaincluded:recordedPSAs,LiveRadioBroadcastsatSTARadio,CherryCreekRadioandMTPublicRadioVoicesandViewsPrograminGreatFallsandPressReleasestoallprintmedia(Helena,FortBenton,GreatFalls)andJennRowellaton-linemedia(TheElectric)andelectronicpostcardmailingstotheConstantContactemaillist.

MeetingStructure:WiththeexceptionoftheHelenaMeetingwhichhadasmallattendance,thepublicwasinvitedtoworkinsmallgroupsattablesandidentifyresourcesandreviewdraftthemes.PostcardswithastatementoftheUMRHAPCmission,listingofthethemes,identificationofthenamesoftheBoardofDirectors,andcontactinformationfortheUMRHAPCorganizationwasprovidedonallthetablesforattendeestotakehome.January30,2019CommunityConversationinBlackEagleCommunityCenter,BlackEagle,MTJanuary31,2019CommunityConversationintheMTAgriculturalCenterinFortBentonMediaincluded:recordedPSAs,LiveRadioBroadcastsatSTARadio,CherryCreekRadioandMTPublicRadioVoicesandViewsPrograminGreatFallsandPressReleasestoallprintmedia(FortBenton,GreatFallsandBlackEagleNews)andJennRowellaton-linemedia(TheElectric)andelectronicpostcardmailingstotheConstantContactemaillist.

MeetingStructure:PresentationofwhatanNHAis,thedraftthemes,revisedmapincorporatingresourcesfrompreviousmeetingsandQ&Asession.AninformationhandoutsheetwasprovidedateachofthemeetingsSeptember12,2019FinalCommunityConversationintheBeltPerformingArtsCenter,Belt,MTMediaincluded:recordedPSAs,LiveRadioBroadcastsatSTARadio,CherryCreekRadioandMTPublicRadioVoicesandViewsPrograminGreatFallsandPressReleasestoallprintmedia(FortBentonandGreatFalls)andJennRowellaton-linemedia(TheElectric)andelectronicpostcardmailingstotheConstantContactemaillist.FortBentonsponsoredabusforattendeeswhodidnotwishtodrivetoBelt.

MeetingStructure:SincethiswasthefinalmeetingpriortothepackagingoftheFeasibilityStudy,thiswasprimarilyapresentationandrevealofthenewname,theStatementofSignificance,revisedmapandrevisedthemes.AcommentcardwasprovidedforfolkstosubmitcommentstotheNHABoardofDirectorswhowereidentifiedatthemeeting.


Contributions:HarvestMoonBrewingCompany;DelDarko;JimandAmyOlsonforpartialpaymentoftheuseoftheBeltPerformingArtCenter;BoardmembersoftheBeltPerformingArtsCenter;Pepsi;TheDiamond;andBeltValleyBank.

Support:LettersorPublicExpressionsofSupportfromJimOlson,MayorofBelt;RickMorris,MayorofFortBenton;SteveTaylor,MayorofNeihart;BobKelly,MayorofGreatFalls;MurryMoore,MayorofCascade


Foundations Arts,

Culture & Humanities

EducationEnvironment, Conservation

& Wildlife

General Support

Historic Preservation, Community &

Economic Development

Native Americans

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

X X

L.P. and Teresa Anderson Foundation

X X

Michael D. and Susan H. Arenson Family Foundation, Inc.

The Bibler FoundationX X

BNSF Railway Foundation

X X

Boe Brothers Foundation

X

Archie Bray FoundationX

Burke Family FoundationX X X

Burnt Leather Foundation

X X

Canyon Creek Foundation

X X

Carl Carbon, Jr. Charitable Trust

X

Cinnabar FoundationX

Frank and Mary Cipech Charitable Trust

X

Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation

X

Cobb FoundationX

Bill & Marian Cook Foundation

X

APPENDIXVIBIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREAPOTENTIALFUNDINGORGANIZATIONS


Cordingley Foundation X X

Darkenwald Foundation, Inc.

X

Double F Foundation X

First Interstate BancSystem Foundation, Inc.

X

The Foley Family Charitable Foundation

X X

Four Times FoundationX

Gerhart FoundationX

Greater Montana Foundation

X

The Harder FoundationX

Humanities MontanaX

Royal and Norma Johnson Charitable Foundation

X

Kongsgaard-Goldman Foundation

X X

Leaw Family Foundation, Inc.

X X

Lee FoundationX X X

Lippard-Clawiter Foundation

X

Lore Kann Foundation X

MDU Resources Foundation

X X X

Jerry Metcalf Foundation

X X X X

MKM FoundationX X

Montana Arts CouncilX


Montana Community Foundation

X X X X


X

M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

X X X

Nance Family Foundation, Inc

X

William and Lorene Nefsy Foundation

X X X

Peter Nelson Charitable Trust

X

Pleiades FoundationX

The Rock FoundationX

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

X

Sacred Ground International

X X

Steele-Reese FoundationX X X

Talbot Family Foundation

X

Jean B. Taylor & Richard Lucian Taylor Family Foundation

X

Ruth and Vernon Taylor Foundation

X X X

Tordik Wildlife Foundation

X

Treacy CompanyX X

Turner Foundation, Inc.X

U.S. Bancorp Foundation, Inc.

X X

Dennis R. and Phyllis Washington Foundation, Inc.

X X


Resource Nam

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First

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Lewi

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A New

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Natio

nal H

istor

ic Lan

dmark

Desig

natio

n Date

City

Coun

tyNa

tiona

l Res

ource

State

Reso

urce

Histo

rical Na

tural Cultu

ral (L

iving

Trad

itions

)

Recre

ation

alEd

ucati

onal/

Inter

pretiv

e

Tour

ism

Notes

Anacon

da M

ining Co

mpany

XBlack Eagle

Cascade

++

Pr+

+

The Co

mmun

ity Cen

ter b

uilding may

be eligible fo

r listing in th

e NR. This

is a supe

rfun

d site that will be

repu

rposed

for recreation.

Arvon Block

XS

26‐Sep

‐91

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+

Bank

of N

orth M

ontana

XX

C15

-Oct

-66,

up

date

d 14

-S

ept-7

2Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Not individu

ally listed

, con

tributing

prop

erty in

Fort B

enton NHL

District

Belt Co

mmercial Historic District

XL

23‐Dec‐04

Belt

Cascade

Pr+

++

15 con

tributing resources, includ

ing

Belt Theater, Be

lt Jail

Belt Creek

XX

XBe

ltCascade

Pr+

++

Belt Jail

XS

10‐M

ar‐80

Belt

Cascade

Pr+

+

Benton

Lake National W

ildlife Re

fuge

XGreat F

alls

(vicinity

)Cascade

+Pr

++

+Mullan Ro

ad locatio

n

Birdtail Divide

XX

Cascade

(vicinity

)Cascade

+Pr

++

+Natural fe

ature alon

g Mullan Ro

ad

Birdtail Ro

ckX

XCascade

(vicinity

)Cascade

+Pr

++

++

Natureal feature along

Mullan Ro

ad,

recently placed un

der e

asem

ent for

public access

Carter Ferry

XX

Carter (vicinity

)Ch

outeau

++

+Pr

++

Cascade Co

unty Cou

rtho

use

XX

S16

‐Apr‐80

Great F

alls

Cascade

PrIndividu

ally listed

, also

includ

ed in

Great F

alls Ce

ntral H

istoric District

Charles M

. Russell Ho

use and Stud

ioX

XX

XN

N15

-Oct

-66

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+

Charlie and

Nancy Russell Ho

neym

oon Cabin

XL

16-D

ec-0

5Cascade

Cascade

Pr+

+

Chicago, M

ilwaukee, and

St. Paul Passenger Dep

otX

S13

-Oct

-88

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+Individu

ally listed

, also

a

contrib

uting resource in

the Great

Falls Railro

ad Historic District

Choteau Ho

use

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+

Chou

teau

Cou

nty Co

urthou

seX

XS

29-S

ep-8

0Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr

Decisio

n Po

int (confluen

ce of M

arias R

iver)

XX

Loma

Chou

teau

CPr

++

++

High

Poten

tial Site

along

Lew

is and

Clark NHT

APPENDIXVII(A)BIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREAINVENTORY–HISTORICALANDNATURALRESOURCES


East Side Neighbo

rhoo

d Historic District

XL

19‐Apr‐16

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

36 con

tributing resources,

Craftsman

Bun

galow Historic District

First P

eoples Buffalo Ju

mp

XN

N17

‐Dec‐74,

updated to NHL

21

‐Jul15

Ulm

Cascade

XPr

++

++

+Orig

inally listed

as U

lm Pish

kun on

De

cembe

r 17, 197

4

First U

nited Metho

dist Chu

rch Parson

age

XX

S23

-Dec

-03

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

Brothe

r Van's Re

siden

ce

Fort Ben

ton Blockhou

seX

XX

C15

-Oct

-66,

up

date

d 14

-S

ept-7

2Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

++

Not individu

ally listed

, con

tributing

prop

erty in

the Fort Ben

ton NHL

District

Fort Ben

ton Bridge

XX

SC

6-A

ug-8

0Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

++

+Individu

ally listed

, also

a

contrib

uting prop

erty in

the Fort

Benton

NHL

District

Fort Ben

ton Engine

Hou

se & City

Hall

XS

C20

-Nov

-80

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Individu

ally listed

, also

a

contrib

uting prop

erty in

the Fort

Benton

NHL

District

Fort Ben

ton Levee

XX

XC

15-O

ct-6

6,

upda

ted

14-

Sep

t-72

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Not individu

ally listed

, con

tributing

prop

erty in

the Fort Ben

ton NHL

District

Fort Ben

ton National H

istoric Landm

ark District

XX

XN

N15

-Oct

-66,

up

date

d

14

-Sep

t-72

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

++

+

13 con

tributing resources. G

rand

Union

Hotel – 188

2; Fort B

enton

Bridge – 188

8; Levee

– 186

0;

Murph

y & Neel M

ercantile – 188

0;

Bank

of N

orthern Mon

tana

– 188

1;

Mason

ic Hall – 188

3; Fort B

enton

Fire Hou

se & City

Hall – 188

3; Pacific

Hotel – 188

3; T.A. Cum

mins B

uilding

– 18

82; I.G. B

aker hou

se – 186

7;

Wackerlin Ha

rdware – 18

82; Fort

Benton

Blockho

use – c. 185

6; and

Fort Ben

ton Fort site – 184

6. 18

90

perio

d of significance.

Fort Shaw Historic District a

nd Cem

etery

XX

S11

-Jan

-85

Fort Shaw

Cascade

Pr+

++

7 contrib

uting resources (6 bu

ildings

and 1 cemetery)

Giant S

prings State Park

XX

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

CX

+Pr

++

++

High

Poten

tial Site

along

Lew

is and

Clark NHT

Golden

Tria

ngle

XCascade and

Chou

teau

+Pr

Grand Union

Hotel

XX

SC

2-Ja

n-76

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Individu

ally listed

, also

a

contrib

uting prop

erty in

the Fort

Benton

NHL

District

Great F

alls Ce

ntral Business H

istoric District

XL

20-A

ug-0

4Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+

99 con


ing

Margaret B

lock, M

ason

ic Tem

ple,

Robe

rts B

uilding, US Po

st Office and

Fede

ral Cou

rtho

use

Great F

alls Ce

ntral H

igh Scho

olX

S1-

Sep

-76

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

Great F

alls High

Schoo

l District

XL

20-M

ar-1

3Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

2 contrib

uting features


Great F

alls Northsid

e Re

siden

tial H

istoric District

XL

1-A

pr-9

1Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+25

7 contrib

uting resources,

includ

ing Cascade Co

unty

Courthou

se, Lee

M. Ford Ho

use

Great F

alls Po

rtage National H

istoric Landm

ark

XX

NN

15-1

0-66

, up

date

d A

ug-

84Great F

alls

Cascade

CPr

++

++

2 discon

tiguo

us se

ctions, 7,700

acres, also

a High Po

tential Site

alon

g Lewis and Clark NHT

Great F

alls Ra

ilroad Historic District

XS

19-F

eb-9

3Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

40 con


ing

Arvon Block, Chicago, M

ilwaukee

and St. Paul Passenger Dep

ot and

RR

, Great Northern Ra

ilroad (Havre

to FB to GF ‐ B

urlington

Northern

today)

Great F

alls West B

ank Historic District

XX

L30

-Aug

-10

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

3 contrib

uting resources‐‐The

Co

wbo

ys Bar and

Museu

m, the

She

a resid

ence, and

the WPA

wareh

ouse

(3 have be

en lost)

Hardy Bridge

XS

4-Ja

n-10

Cascade

Cascade

Pr

Contrib

uting resource in

Multip

le

Prop

erty Nom

ination for M

ontana's

Steel Stringer a

nd Steel Gird

er

Bridges

Harry E. Randall Ho

use

XL

27-M

ar-8

6Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr

Highland

Soldiers P

lot, Highland

Cem

etery

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

Hill 57

X

Great F

alls

Cascade

++

Pr+

20th Cen

tury Little She

ll commun

ity

I.G. B

aker Hou

seX

SC

20‐Nov

‐80

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Individu

ally listed

, also

a

contrib

uting prop

erty in

the Fort

Benton

NHL

District

J.C. A

dams S

tone

Barn

XS

12‐Ja

n‐79

Sun River

Cascade

Pr+

King's Hill Scen

ic Byw

ayX

Cascade

X+

Pr+

++

71 m

iles o

f Highw

ay 81, timbe

r history interpreted

Korpivaara Finnish Hom

esteads

XS

1‐Jun‐92

Belt

Cascade

Pr+

Confiden

tial information. Crocker‐

Jarvi H

omestead, H

eikkila‐M

attila

Homestead, Kraften

berg

Homestead,

Lewis‐Nevala Ho

mestead, Stone

Ho

mestead, W

argelin

‐Warila

Homestead

Lee M. Ford Ho

use

XL

10‐Aug

‐90

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

Individu

ally listed

, also

a

contrib

uting resource in

the Great

Falls Northsid

e Re

siden

tial H

istoric

District

Lewis and Clark National Forest

XX

XX

Cascade

XPr

++

+

Lewis and Clark National H

istoric Trail

XX

X19

78Cascade and

Chou

teau

XPr

++

++

+

Portion of th

e Lewis and Clark NHT

passes th

rough Cascade and

Choteau coun

ties, 7 High Po

tential

Sites

Margaret B

lock

XX

L2-

Aug

-84

Great F

alls

Cascade

PrMarias R

iver

XX

XX

Chou

teau

+Pr

++

+


Mason

ic Building (Fort B

enton)

XL

C14

-Oct

-80

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

Individu

ally listed

, also

a

contrib

uting prop

erty in

the Fort

Benton

NHL

District

Mason

ic Tem

ple (Great Falls)

XL

28-D

ec-0

0Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr

Missou

ri River D

ams ‐ Black Eagle Dam

XX

Black Eagle

Cascade

Pr+

++

+

Missou

ri River D

ams ‐ Cochrane Da

mX

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

+

Missou

ri River D

ams ‐ M

oron

y Da

mX

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

+

Missou

ri River D

ams ‐ Rainb

ow Dam

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

+

Missou

ri River D

ams ‐ Ryan Da

mX

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

+

Missou

ri River F

alls‐‐Colter F

alls

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

++

+

Missou

ri River F

alls‐‐Crooked

Falls/Ho

rsesho

e Falls

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

++

+

Missou

ri River F

alls‐‐Rainb

ow Falls

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

++

+

Missou

ri River F

alls‐‐The

Great Falls

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

++

+

Missou

ri River F

alls‐‐Upp

er Pitch Falls/Black Eagle Falls

XX

Black Eagle

Cascade

+Pr

++

+

Missou

ri River F

ord at Fort B

enton

XX

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

+Pr

++

+

Missou

ri River F

ord at Great Falls

XX

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

++

+

Mon

arch Dep

otX

Mon

arch

Cascade

Pr+

+Listing un

der S

HPO re

view

, a

prelim

inary BSCN

HA project

Mullan Military W

agon

Road (Ben

ton Lake Segmen

t)X

XN

13-M

ar-7

5Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

Segm

ent o

f lon

ger trail that has

interpretiv

e po

ssibilitie

s

Murph

y & Neel M

ercantile

XX

C15

-Oct

-66,

up

date

d 14

-S

ept-7

2Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Not individu

ally listed

, con

tributing

prop

erty in

the Fort Ben

ton NHL

District

Neihart Schoo

lX

L7-

Mar

-03

Neihart

Cascade

Pr

Nez Perce Nee

‐Me‐Po

o National H

istoric Trail

XX

Fort Ben

ton

Cascade

XPr

++

Fort Ben

ton interprets, serves a

s passpo

rt stam

p site

North M

ontana

State Fairgroun

d Historic District

XS

13-J

an-8

9Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

12 con

tributing bu

ildings

O.S. W

arde

n Bridge

XS

26-M

ar-1

2Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr

Contrib

uting resource in

Multip

le

Prop

erty Nom

ination for M

ontana's

Steel Stringer a

nd Steel Gird

er

Bridges

O'Haire M

anor/Sip and

Dip Lou

nge

XE

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+

Old Fort B

enton (Trading

Post)

XX

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

++

Old US Highway 91 Historic District

XL

27-A

ug-1

3Wolf C

reek

(vicinity

)Cascade

Pr+

+Includ

es fishing access sites

Pacific Hotel

XX

C15

-Oct

-66,

up

date

d 14

-S

ept-7

2Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Not individu

ally listed

, con

tributing

prop

erty in

the Fort Ben

ton NHL

District

River's Edge National Recreation Trail

XX

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

X+

+Pr

++

Robe

rt Vaughn Ho

mestead

XS

14-J

un-8

2Va

ughn

Cascade

Pr

Robe

rts B

uilding

XL

12-S

ep-8

5Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr

Roe River

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

++

Sluice Boxes State Park (Belt C

reek)

XX

Belt

Cascade

X+

Pr+

++


Smith

River

XX

XCascade

+Pr

++

+

Smith

River State Park

XWhite Sulph

ur

Sprin

gsCascade

X+

Pr+

++

Square Butte (C

ascade

)X

XCascade

PrKe

y natural feature

St. Paul's Episcop

al Chu

rch

XS

29-S

ep-8

0Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+

St. Peter's Mission Ch

urch and

Cem

etery

XX

S3-

Aug

-84

Cascade

Cascade

Pr+

+

Sulphu

r Spring Trail

XX

CCascade

Pr+

++

+Trail w

ithin th

e Great F

alls Po

rtage

NHL

Sun River

XX

XX

Cascade

Pr+

++

Sun River C

rossing

XX

XCascade

Pr+

++

Sun River R

eclamation Area /G

reen

fields Irrigation District

XCascade

++

Pr

T.A. Cum

mins B

uilding

XX

C15

-Oct

-66,

up

date

d 14

-S

ept-7

2Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Not individu

ally listed

, con

tributing

prop

erty in

the Fort Ben

ton NHL

District

Tenth Street Brid

geX

XL

25-A

pr-9

6Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+

Teton River

XX

XX

Chou

teau

+Pr

++

+

Timothy

Edw

ard Co

llins M

ansio

nX

S27

‐Aug

‐80

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr

Tower Rock State Park

XX

XN

18-M

ar-0

2Cascade

Cascade

XPr

++

++

U.S. Post O

ffice and

Cou

rtho

use

XS

14-M

ar-8

6Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr

Fede

ral cou

rtho

use. Ind

ividually

listed, also

a con

tributing prop

erty

in th

e Great F

alls Ce

ntral Business

Historic District

Union

Bethe

l African

Metho

dist Episcop

al Chu

rch

XS

11-S

ep-0

3Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+

Ursuline Academ

y/Ursuline Ce

ntre (G

reat Falls)

XX

S26

-Sep

-91

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

Vine

gar Jon

es Cabin

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

Relocated to Gibson Park

Wackerlin Ha

rdware

XX

C15

-Oct

-66,

up

date

d 14

-S

ept-7

2Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Not individu

ally listed

, con

tributing

prop

erty in

the Fort Ben

ton NHL

District

Who

op Up Trail/F

ort B

enton‐Fort M

acLeod

Trail

XX

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Orig

inates in

Fort B

enton and en

ds

in Fort M

acLeod

, Canada

N = Nationa

l significan

ce, N

ationa

l Register o

f Historic

Places

S = Statew

ide significance, Nationa

l Register o

f Historic

Places

Pr = Prim

ary reason

for inclusion

in inventory

+ = Supp

ortin

g reason

for inclusion

in inventory

X = Re

source

C = Co

ntrib

uting feature of a larger designa

ted resource

E = Iden

tified as eligible fo

r Nationa

l Register listin

gL = Local significan

ce, N

ationa

l Register o

f Historic

Places


Resource Nam

e

The M

issou

ri Rive

r

First

Peop

les

Lewi

s & Cl

ark

A Far

Distan

t Lan

d

A New

Wes

t City

Coun

ty

Histo

rical Na

tural

Cultu

ral (L

iving

Trad

itions

)

Recre

ation

alTo

urism

Even

t

Notes

Belt Pe

rforming Arts

XBe

ltCascade

+Pr

+Be

lt Ro

deo

XBe

ltCascade

Pr+

+Be

yond

the Da

m (b

ike race)

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

++

Pr+

+Ho

sted

by NW Ene

rgy

Black Eagle 4th of Ju

ly Picnic

XBlack Eagle

Cascade

+Pr

+AC

M/Black Eagle com

mun

ity tradition

Cascade Ro

deo

XCascade

Cascade

Pr+

+

Western Art W

eek

XX

XX

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

++

PrCM

Russell, m

odern art, Western art, gun

and

antiq

ue sh

ow, crafts, m

ulti‐natio

n po

wwow

Chou

teau

Cou

nty Co

untry Ch

ristm

asX

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

++

+Pr

Chou

teau

Cou

nty Fair

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

++

++

PrCh

outeau

Cou

nty Pe

rforming Arts

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

Exceptional Rod

eoX

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+Fort Ben

ton Farm

ers M

arket

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Local farmers, Hutterite commun

ities

Fort Ben

ton Ro

deo

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Fort Ben

ton Summer Celeb

ratio

nX

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

++

+Pr

Dusty Gliko Bu

ll Riding

Challenge

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+Great F

alls Farm

ers M

arket

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+Local farmers, Hutterite commun

ities

Great F

alls Pe

rforming Arts

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

Mon

tana

Pro Rod

eo Circuit F

inals

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+Great F

alls Turf Club Ho

rse Ra

cing

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

++

Labo

r Day Picnic

XBlack Eagle

Cascade

Pr+

ACM/Black Eagle com

mun

ity tradition

Lewis and Clark Festival

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

++

++

PrLittle She

ll Po

wwow

X

Ulm

Cascade

+Pr

++

Luminaria W

alk

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

++

+Pr

Missou

ri Breaks Tria

thalon

/Cho

Co Fun

XX

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

+Pr

++

Missou

ri River Landing

Farmers M

arket

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

Pr+

+Mon

arch Rocks

XMon

arch

Cascade

++

PrMon

tana

High Scho

ol Rod

eoX

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+Mon

tana

State Fair

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

++

++

PrPR

CA Big Sky Pro Rod

eoX

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+Big Sky Re

gion

Rod

eoX

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

+Waking the De

ad

XX

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

++

+Pr

X = R

esou

rce

Pr = Prim

ary reason

for inclusion

in inventory

+ = Sup

porting reason

for inclusion

in inventory

APPENDIXVII(C)BIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREAINVENTORY–EVENTSANDAMENITIES


Resource Nam

e

The M

issou

ri Rive

r

First

Peop

les

Lewi

s & Cl

ark

A Far

Distan

t Lan

d

A New

Wes

t City

Coun

ty

Natio

nal R

esou

rce

State

Reso

urce

Histo

rical Na

tural

Cultu

ral (L

iving

Trad

itions

)

Recre

ation

al Ed

ucati

onal/

Interp

retive

Tour

ism

Notes

C. M

. Russell Museu

mX

XX

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

+De

an & Don

na Strand Western Art Galler y

XX

XX

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

+Pr

+Cascade Senior Citizens Cen

ter a

nd M

useu

m

XCascade

Cascade

+Pr

+

Cowbo

ys Bar and

Museu

mX

Great F

alls

Cascade

Pr+

++

Not individu

ally listed

, con

tributing

prop

erty in

the Great F

alls West B

ank

Historic District

Eden

Com

mun

ity Hall and

Park

XEden

Cascade

PrFort Ben

ton Ve

terans Park

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

PrGa

lerie

Trin

itas

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

Paris Gibson Square M

useu

m of A

rtX

Great F

alls

Cascade

++

Pr+

Lewis and Clark National H

istoric Trail Interpretiv

e Ce

nter

XX

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

X+

++

Pr+

Malmstrom Air Force Ba

se M

useu

mX

Great F

alls

Cascade

X+

Pr+

Meh

mke Steam

Tractor M

useu

mX

Great F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

+Mon

tana

Museu

m of R

ailro

ad History

XGreat F

alls

Cascade

+Pr

+Mon

tana

State Agricultural M

useu

mX

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

X+

Pr+

Museu

m of the

Upp

er M

issou

riX

XX

XFort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

++

Pr+

Old Forts Trail

XX

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

X+

+Pr

+

The History Museu

m (C

ascade

Cou

nty Historical Society)

XX

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

++

Pr+

Starr G

allery of W

estern Art

XX

XX

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

PrUpp

er M

issou

ri River B

reaks N

ational M

onum

ent

Interpretiv

e Ce

nter

XX

XX

Fort Ben

ton

Chou

teau

X+

+Pr

+

Ursuline Academ

y/Ursuline Ce

ntre (G

reat Falls)

XX

Great F

alls

Cascade

++

Pr

X = R

esou

rce

Pr = Prim

ary reason

for inclusion

in inventory

+ = Sup

porting reason

for inclusion

in inventory

APPENDIXVII(B)BIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREAINVENTORY–MUSEUMSANDINTERPRETIVECENTERS


APPENDIXVIIIBIGSKYCOUNTRYNATIONALHERITAGEAREA,INC.PRIVATEPROPERTYRIGHTSRESOLUTION


Big Sky Country NHA, Inc.PO Box 1323Great Falls, MT [email protected]

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