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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
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Historical Note

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.

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Content Description

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.

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Use of the Collection

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.

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Administrative Information

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.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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