Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Montana Department of Transportation, Public Affairs Bureau records, 1919-2003
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Montana. Department of Transportation.
- Title
- Montana Department of Transportation, Public Affairs Bureau records
- Dates
- 1919-2003 (inclusive)19192003
- Quantity
- 3.8 linear feet
- Collection Number
- RS 492 (Formerly RS 413)
- Summary
- This collection is a sub-subgroup (Bureau) of the Montana Department of Transportation records, RS 492. The Public Affairs Bureau currently (as of 2024) operates under the Director's Office Division. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Department of Transportation records. The Public Affairs Bureau records (1991-1992, 1995-2001) consist of both the Information Unit files (1969-1994), the Public Affairs Bureau files (1991-1995), and the Public Information Officer files (1996-1999).
- Repository
-
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Montana State Highway Commission was created in 1913 by the state Legislative Assembly. The original Commission was composed of three members. In 1917 new legislation altered the organization of the Commission by authorizing the appointment of twelve members according to geographic highway districts. Membership was changed again in 1921 to three members appointed by the Governor and in 1941 to five members, also appointed by the Governor. In 1971 the Commission was renamed the Montana Department of Highways, created by Chapter 7 of the Executive Reorganization Act of 1971 and implemented by executive order of the Governor on December 16, 1971. The Department of Highways took over all but the advisory functions of the State Highway Commission.
By 1972, the Department consisted of seven divisions: the Legal Division, Personnel Division, Centralized Services Division, Engineering Division, Motor Pool Division, Gross Vehicle Weight Division, and the Maintenance Division. Each division is headed by an administrator. The Centralized Services Division, Engineering Division, Motor Pool Division, Gross Vehicle Weight Division, and the Maintenance Division are furthered sub-divided into bureaus, headed by Chiefs. In 1991, the Department of Highways became the Department of Transportation. This was primarily a name change. However, there were some structural and administrative changes.
The Department of Transportation Public Affairs Bureau was previously the Department of Highways Information Unit before the 1991 reorganization. The Bureau administered Highways and Transportation information, data and statistics used for public affairs and public relations. This included information for: media relations; correspondence with members of the public; public presentations; new and press releases; and other referential information necessary for public, Federal, and State needs. Correspondence files include public inquiries and responses regarding road conditions, statistical information, and tourist information.
Dennis Unsworth was the Manager of the Department of Highways Information Unit. After the 1991 departmental reorganization he became the Public Information Officer, and head of the Public Affairs Bureau.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Public Affairs Bureau records (1991-1992, 1995-2001) consist of both the Information Unit files (1969-1994), the Public Affairs Bureau files (1991-1995), and the Public Information Officer files (1996-1999). The Information Unit files primarily include compiled statistical information, news and press release, tourist and other referential information necessary for public, Federal, and State inquiries and data. Correspondence with other State departments and Highways Bureaus include news, media, and press releases; clippings; reports, studies and survey data; public presentations and speeches. Some significant topics include rest area information displays, Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191 highway studies, the “Montana Highway Dilemma”, and Transportation 20/20 studies.
The Public Affairs Bureau records (1991-1992, 1995-2001) consist of general press releases (1991-2001), and a subject files (1995) regarding the Dave Manning Memorial Building Dedication. Press release topics include Commission meetings and bid lettings The Public Information Officer, Dennis Unsworth, was the Chief of the Public Affairs Bureau, as well as the Manager of the Information Unite, before departmental reorganization. Unsworth’s files (1998-2000) contain similar records to those within the Information Unit and the Public Affairs Bureau files. The public Information Officer concern public relations, referential information to be used for media relations, and public awareness campaigns. A number of the files relate specifically to the US Highway 93 / Stevensville construction.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is organized into three Series: The Information Unit files, the Public Affairs Bureau files, and the files of the Public Information Officer.
Location of Collection
40:7-3Processing Note
In 2024, the various collections of the Montana Department of Transportation were integrated under one collection identifier, RS 492, in order to help facilitate access, reduce redundancy in the MTHS catalog, and to follow best archival practices.
Collections from Montana Department of Transportation's various Divisions and Bureaus that were previously treated as separate entities are now integrated into this collection, RS 492. Rather than reprocessing over 280 linear feet of Transportation materials, MTHS staff decided to keep the past arrangement of those collections/finding aids, and provide access to them via links through the central finding aid. This decision has allowed the MTHS archival staff to maintain intellectual control over the collection, while removing the need to reprocess it. It also keeps State Agency finding aids at manageable sizes. Please read the scope and content note carefully to determine if this subgroup/sub-subgroup pertains to your research needs.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition information available upon request
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Information Unit, 1975-1990Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Correspondence |
||
Box/Folder | ||
1/1-2 | Billings District |
1985-1987 |
1/3 | Butte |
1985-1990 |
1/4 | Biennial Awards – Federal Highway Administration |
1985-1986 |
1/5 | Dillon |
1988 |
1/6 | Director’s Memorandums |
1979-1980 |
1/7-18 | General |
1978-1989 |
1/19 | Great Falls |
1985-1987 |
1/20 | Interstate 15 (I-15) Ribbon Cutting |
1986 |
1/21 | Missoula |
1987-1989 |
1/22 | Public Affairs and Tourism, Department of |
1980 |
1/23 | Requests for Information |
1980 |
1/24 | Rest Areas |
1985-1987 |
1/25 | Western Association of State and Transportation
Authorities Convention (WASHTO) |
1988 |
1/26 | Weekly Radio Shows |
1975-1977 |
Subject Files |
||
Box/Folder | ||
1/27 | “Attitudes Toward Highway Conditions, Operations And
Taxation” for the Montana Department Of Transportation |
1980 |
1/28 | Centerline Highways Publication |
1978 |
1/29 | Centennial Train |
1978 |
1/30 | Federal Aid, Fuel Taxation Survey |
1980 |
1/31 | Federal Highway Administration Press Conference
Helena, News Clipping |
1978 |
1/32-34 | Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191 |
1987-1991 |
1/35 | Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: Anderson Report,
Commerce Clause |
1986 |
1/36 | Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: Environmental
Assessment |
1980 |
1/37 | Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: Shontz
Memo |
1987 |
1/38 | Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: Traffic
Sufficiency Studies |
1987 |
2/1 | Gallatin Canyon – US Highway 191: News
Clippings |
1986-1987 |
2/2 | Hearings – Horse Canyon Preservation |
1980-1981 |
2/3 | Helena Advertising Federation Committee (Helena Ad
Club) |
1979 |
2/4 | Highway Complex Building |
1978 |
2/5 | Highway Department Study: RJ Hansen Associates,
Management Consulting Firm |
1981-1982 |
2/6-7 | Highway Signs |
1986-1990 |
2/8 | Historical Information |
1919-1975 |
2/9 | Historical Information: Roads |
1981 |
2/10 | Litter Campaign |
1969-1980 |
2/11 | Logo Signs |
1990-1991 |
2/12 | Manual for Campground and Recreational
Signs |
1980 |
2/13-14 | Montana Highway Commission Meetings – New Releases |
1977-1990 |
2/15 | Montana Highway Commission Organizational
Charts |
1960-1970 |
2/16-17 | “Montana Highway Dilemma” Presentation |
1981 |
2/18 | “Montana Highway Dilemma” Conference |
1981 |
2/19 | Mount Saint Helens Volcano Ash Fallout – New
Release |
1980 |
2/20 | National Transportation Week |
1983-1987 |
2/21 | News Releases – Director’s Speeches |
1989 |
2/22 | News Releases – Employee Awards (Include
Images) |
1989-1990 |
2/23 | News Releases – General |
1978,1988-1990 |
2/24 | News Releases – Personnel |
1981-1983 |
2/25 | News Releases – Bid Lettings |
1990 |
2/26 | Open House Planning |
1971 |
2/27 | Photologging Montana / Photogrammetry |
1971 |
2/28 | Project Selection / Tentative Construction
Selection |
1982 |
2/29 | “Montana Department of Highways Recommended Project
Selection Process,” Planning and Research Bureau |
1982 |
2/30 | Reconstruction Facts |
1981 |
2/31 | Reorganization, (Includes Clippings) |
1981-1983 |
2/32 | Rest Area |
1963-1982 |
2/33 | Rest Area Development |
1972-1977 |
2/34 | Road Awards |
1969-1980 |
2/35 | Safety |
1976-1982 |
2/36 | Schwinden Administration |
1980-1982 |
2/37 | Snow Removal Plan |
1981-1982 |
2/38 | Speeches |
1972-1983 |
2/39 | Speeches – Governors Speech |
1981 |
2/40 | Strategic Committee on Information / Communications
(Public Image) |
1981-1987 |
2/41 | Strike Plan |
1981 |
2/42 | Tourism |
1980 |
2/43 | Transportation 20/20, Survey &
Studies |
1988-1989 |
3/1 | Transportation 20/20 |
1990 |
3/2 | Trucking Deregulation (Includes
Clippings) |
1979-1982 |
3/3 | Van Pooling and Carpooling |
1979-1980 |
3/4 | Year End Reports |
1972-1974 |
Clippings |
||
Box/Folder | ||
3/5 | Bridges |
1969-1978 |
3/6 | Coal Tax |
1980-1982 |
3/7 | Construction Strike |
1982 |
3/8 | District – Billings |
1986, 1994 |
3/9 | District – Butte |
1986, 1994 |
3/10 | District – Glendive |
1986, 1994 |
3/11 | District – Great Falls |
1986, 1994 |
3/12 | District – Missoula |
1986, 1994 |
3/13 | 55 mph. Speed Limit Enforcement |
1981 |
3/14 | Flood Disaster |
1981 |
3/15-21 | Headquarters – Helena |
1984-1988 |
3/22 | Ron Richards |
1977-1978 |
3/23 | State |
1986, 1994 |
3/24 | Railroads |
1980-1983 |
3/25 | “Report of Classification of Open Range Unfenced
Areas Adjacent to Primary Highway Systems” |
1977 |
Public Affairs Bureau, 1991-1995Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subject Files |
||
Box/Folder | ||
3/26 | SJR 25 Dave Manning Highway Building |
1995 |
3/27 | News Releases – General |
1992 |
3/28 | News Releases – Commission Meetings |
1991 |
3/29 | News Releases – Bid Lettings |
1992 |
Public Information Officer, 1996-2000Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subject Files |
||
Box/Folder | ||
4/5 | Highway 93 – Four Lane Conversion |
1999-2000 |
4/6 | Legislative Information |
1998-2000 |
4/7 | Strategies and Communication Recommendations |
undated |
4/8 | Seat Belt Campaign |
1999-2000 |
4/9 | Technical Memorandum: Traffic Analysis –
Intersection Of US Highway and East Side Highway: Stevensville |
1999 |
4/10 | US Highway 93: Stevensville Intersection / Lolo to
Hamilton Road (Includes Clippings) |
1999-2000 |
4/11 | US Highway 93: Stevensville Intersection / Lolo to
Hamilton Road |
1999-2000 |
4/12 | Aeronautics |
2000 |
4/13 | Engineering |
1999-2000 |
4/14 | Environmental |
1999-2000 |
5/1 | Human Resources |
1999-2000 |
5/2 | Maintenance Division |
1999-2000 |
5/3 | Motor Carrier Services (State Truck Activity
Reporting System) |
1999-2000 |
5/4 | Transportation Planning Division |
1999-2000 |
5/6 | District Offices (Includes Correspondence) |
1999-2000 |
5/7 | Public Correspondence |
1999-2000 |
5/8 | Customer Focus Improvement |
1998-2000 |
5/9 | State Vehicle Slow Down Campaign |
1999 |
5/10 | Speakers Bureau |
1999-2000 |
5/11 | First Special Service Force |
1996 |
5/12 | Construction Status Reports |
1999-2000 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Public Affairs and Administration--Highways--Montana.
- Roads--Montana
Geographical Names
- Helena (Mont.)--Politics and government