Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Historical Society of Western Montana records, 1954-1955
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Historical Society of Western Montana
- Title
- Historical Society of Western Montana records
- Dates
- 1954-1955 (inclusive)19541955
- Quantity
- 1 folder
- Collection Number
- Mss 865
- Summary
- The Historical Society of Western Montana was founded by Missoula, Montana community members in 1954 for the purpose of collecting and preserving relevant historical documents and data of western Montana. This collection contains correspondence to and from the organization's first secretary, J.B. Speer, concerning the creation and operation of the society.
- 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
In 1954, J.B. Speer, a retired professor and controller for the University of Montana, was named chairman of the Montana Institute of the Arts local history group. He used this position to create interest in a local historical society. Small meetings of local "businessmen" who were interested in supporting the new society began in early 1954. The first large meeting of community members did not take place until April 17th of that year. Attendees elected Harry McCann as temporary chairman and J.B. Speer as temporary secretary of the new organization. The new society had representatives from area organizations incuding the Rotary, the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, the Missoula Public Library, the Lions Club, the University of Montana, the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers, and the Hellgate Project. The members tasked the organization with the preservation of local landmarks and possibly establishing a regional archive at the public library. The society's stated purpose was "to aid in the discovery, collection and preservation of every variety of material illustrative of the history of Montana; such as letters, diaries, journals, memoranda, pioneer reminiscences, newspapers, account books, school and church registers, commemorative addresses, genealogies and biographies, photographs, pictures and paintings, aboriginal relics, material objects illustrating the life of pioneers, maps, histories and records of the counties of western Montana and of its cities, towns, villages and institutions." At the May 13, 1954 meeting, the chairman appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws for the society. The organization adopted a 12 member board of directors, a one dollar fee for annual membership, and an annual meeting to be held the second Monday of October. By 1955, a board of directors was elected and Cyrile Van Duser took J.B. Speer's position as secretary.
After 1955, there is no record of the organization and there is no additional information available.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains correspondence relating to the creation and administration of the Historical Society of Western Montana as well as meeting minutes and publications from other organizations on starting and operating local historical societies from 1954 to 1955.
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 status is unknown.
Preferred Citation
[Name of document or photograph number], Historical Society of Western Montana Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
These materials are arranged chronologically in a single folder.
Custodial History
This collection was in the possession of J.B. Speer but the date and method of its arrival at Archives and Special Collections is unknown.
Future Additions
There are no expected additions to this collection.
Processing Note
During processing, rusted paperclips were replaced, duplicates were removed, and items were placed in chronological order.
Related Materials
Archives and Special Collections also holds the J.B. Speer Papers (Mss 625) which contain additional correspondence and newsletters related to the Historical Society of Western Montana.
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Archives--Montana
- Local history--Societies, etc.
Personal Names
- Speer, J. B. (James Beryl), 1883-1957--Correspondence
Corporate Names
- Historical Society of Western Montana--Management
Geographical Names
- Montana--History, Local--Societies, etc.