Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Stevensville Historical Society Records, 1860-1989
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Stevensville Historical Society
- Title
- Stevensville Historical Society Records
- Dates
- 1860-1989 (inclusive)18601989
- 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
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
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
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
Finding aid prepared by Jennifer
Rusk
2004
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
