Stevensville Historical Society Records, 1860-1989

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Stevensville Historical Society
Title
Stevensville Historical Society Records
Dates
1860-1989 (inclusive)
Quantity
3.75 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 598
Summary
The collection contains the administrative and financial records of the Stevensville Historical Society, research subjects files on local history and papers from the society’s major project, the restoration of Fort Owen. A significant portion of the collection contains research, drafts, and other materials used in preparation of the book, Montana Genesis; a history of the Stevensville area of the Bitterroot Valley (Mountain Press Publishing Company, 1971).
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Marion S. Gebhardt started the Stevensville Historical Society in 1968, in Stevensville, Montana, after attending a librarian’s workshop on the importance of preserving local history. Gebhardt, the chairman of the society, and a group of twelve other local residents collaborated on the local history, Montana Genesis; a history of the Stevensville area of the Bitterroot Valley, which was published in 1971 (Mountain Press Publishing Company). The book won a national award from the American Association of State and Local History and its strong sales enabled a second printing.

With proceeds from the book and public funding, the group led the effort to rebuild and preserve Fort Owen. Its active members included Claire and Leo Rhein, Luther Stanley, Celia and Art Cessna, Pearl and Earl Buck, Dortha Smola, Margaret Sullivan, Bea Cronin Terry, Lucile Bass, and Mrs. Norris Nichols.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains the administrative and financial records of the Stevensville Historical Society, research subject files on local history, and papers from the society’s major project, the restoration of Fort Owen. It also contains 2 audio cassettes recorded by the Stevensville Historical Society. A significant portion of the collection contains research, drafts, and other materials used in preparation of the book, Montana Genesis; a history of the Stevensville area of the Bitterroot Valley.

The audio tapes in Series IV were not part of the original accession, but were added to the collection in 2017 because they were produced by the Stevensville Historical Society.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Stevensville Historical Society Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into four series:

Series I: Administrative Records, 0.75 linear feet, 1967-1989

Series II: Subject Files, 1.0 linear foot, 1860-1985

Series III: Montana Genesis Book Project, 1.75 linear feet, 1884-1972

Series IV: Miscellaneous, 0.25 linear feet, 1973 and undated

Acquisition Information

Source and date of acquisition are unknown.

Processing Note

The creator’s original arrangement and folder descriptions were maintained whenever possible. Unlabeled materials were organized and described during processing. An American flag that was originally part of this collection was donated to the Museum at Fort Missoula.

In 2017, duplicates were removed from the collection as well as copies of These Five Valleys (Missoulian Bicentennial Edition, 1976) and Montana Genesis book jackets.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Administrative Records , 1967-1989 Return to Top

0.75 linear feet

This series includes the adminstrative records of the Stevensville Historical Society such as meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, and articles of incorporation.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Stevensville Historical Society members, slides
1967
1/2
Minutes
1968-1972
1/3
Correspondence
1969-1982 and undated
1/4
Correspondence from Poland
1976 and undated
1/5
Articles of Incorporation/By-laws, IRS regulations
1969-1974
1/6
Articles of Incorporation and financial records
1971-1977
1/7
Montana Genesis Project, quarterly reports
1981-1983
1/8
Correspondence with Richard Mayer
1982-1983
1/9
Miscellaneous
1971 and undated
1/10
Donations
undated
1/11
Notes by Claire Rhein
undated
1/12
Treasurer book
1969-1974
1/13
Tax returns
1974-1978
1/14
Ledger
1974-1985
1/15
Financial records, receipts
1974-1989
1/16
Financial records
1982-1983
2/1
Bills-invoices for quarterly report
1983
2/2
Financial records, Montana Genesis and other
1971-1976

Series II:  Subject Files , 1860-1985Return to Top

1.0 linear feet

This series contains subject files on the history of Stevensville and the surrounding area. The folders are arranged alphabetically by subject and items include photographs, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous publications.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/1
Bitterroot Reflections, slides
1973
3/2
Bitterroot Valley, history, clippings
1971-1972
3/3
Bitterroot Valley, photographs
circa 1880s-1906 and undated
3/4
Bitterroot Valley, schools, slides
1971
3/5
Bitterroot Valley, spotted fever
1976
3/6
Bitterroot Valley, various research
1946 and undated
3/7
Bitterroot Valley RC and D Project
undated
3/8
Blodgett Cemetery
1973
3/9
DeLacy, Walter Washington; biography
1896
3/10
Flathead Indians removal
1890-1974
3/11
Fort Owen
1976 and undated
3/12
Fort Owen, list of visitors
1961-1974
3/13
Fort Owen, list of visitors
1981-1985
3/14
Fort Owen, National Park Service Interpretation
1963
3/15
Fort Owen, photographs
1887 and undated
3/16
Fort Owen, slides
1974-1977
3/17
Fort Owen Bicentennial
1974-1976
3/18
Fort Owen Restoration Project
1957-1981 and undated
4/1
Fort Owen Survey
1875
4/2
George Harris, interview and biographical information
1968
4/3
T.W. Harris
1860-1861
4/4
Journal of John P. Martens, typewritten
1877
4/5
McIntosh Apple, history
1909 and 1978
4/6
Miscellaneous publications
1962-1976 and undated
4/7
Montana Territorial Elections
1866
4/8
The Origin of Some Montana Place Names, by J.P. Rowe
undated
4/9
John Owen
1930-1976 and undated
4/10
Father Ravalli, interview
1883
4/11
Ravalli National Wildlife Refuge
1969
4/12
Comprehensive Plan of Ravalli County, Montana
1976
4/13
St. Mary’s Land Suit
1874-1974 and undated
4/14
Schools, includes Missoula schools and the Lone Rock School, compiled by Claire Rhein and Celia Cessna
undated
4/15
Stevensville Community Cannery
undated

Series III:  Montana Genesis Book Project, 1884-1972Return to Top

1.75 linear feet

This series includes materials related to the Montana Genesis book project including note cards, indexes, draft manscripts and galleys.

Container(s) Description Dates
4/16
Certificate from The American Association of State and Local History for Montana Genesis
1972
4/17
Certificate of copyright for Montana Genesis book
1971
Box
7
Note cards with research, references for Montana Genesis
undated
Box/Folder
4/18
Miscellaneous notes
undated
4/19
Research materials and project records
1970-1972 and undated
4/20
Research and correspondence from Audra Browman
1968-1973 and undated
4/21
Research and draft of chapter "The Town"
undated
4/22
Drafts of chapter "Windows on the World"
undated
5/1
Research and draft of chapter "Water Rights"
undated
5/2
Draft of chapter "Place Names"
undated
Box/Folder
5/3
Draft of chapter "Apple Boom"
undated
5/4
Draft and research for chapter "Crimes and Catastrophes"
undated
5/5
Draft of chapter "Brands"
undated
5/6
Draft of chapter "Early Settlers"
undated
5/7
Research and draft of chapter "Weather"
1964-1969 and undated
5/8
Research and draft of chapter "Tick Fever"
undated
5/9
Draft of chapter "The Indians and St. Mary’s Mission"
undated
5/10
Research and draft of chapter "Schools"
1969 and undated
5/11
Draft
undated
5/12
Index
undated
5/13
Photographs and other
1884-1977 and undated
5/14
Montana Genesis, photographs and illustrations
undated
5/15
Photograph rights
1971
5/16
Manuscript
circa 1971
6/1
Manuscript
circa 1971
6/2
Draft
circa 1971
Box
8
Manuscript galleys
1971
Box/Folder
6/3
Correspondence
1971-1972
6/4
Book party photographs
1971
6/5
Publicity clippings
1972
6
Reel-to-reel audiotape, unidentified
1972

Series IV:  Miscellaneous, 1973 and undatedReturn to Top

This series contains photographs and two audio cassettes of the Costello place being torn down and a trip to the Blodgett Cemetery.

Container(s) Description Dates
6
Audio recording of Stevensville Historical Society project on the Costello place
1973
6
Audio recording of trip to Blodgett Cemetery and Medicine Tree sign south of Darby
circa 1973
Box/Folder
6/6
Student field trip and unidentified photographs
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Historic sites--Conservation and restoration--Montana--Stevensville

Geographical Names

  • Fort Owen (Mont.)
  • Stevensville (Mont.)--History
  • Stevensville (Mont.)--History--Societies, etc.

Titles within the Collection

  • Montana Genesis; a history of the Stevensville area of the Bitterroot Valley