MTGMss598.xml Guide to the Stevensville Historical Society Records 1860-1989 Stevensville Historical Society Records Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Rusk Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula © 2004
The University of Montana--Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
Finding aid encoded by Donna McCrea 2006 Finding aid written in English. University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
The University of Montana--Missoula Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-2053 http://www.lib.umt.edu/asc library.archives@umontana.edu
Mss 598 Stevensville Historical Society Stevensville Historical Society Records 1860-1989 3.75 linear feet 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). Materials are in English 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Source and date of acquisition are unknown.

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.

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Fort Owen (Mont.) Stevensville (Mont.)--History Stevensville (Mont.)--History--Societies, etc. Historic sites--Conservation and restoration--Montana--Stevensville Montana Montana Genesis; a history of the Stevensville area of the Bitterroot Valley Series I Administrative Records 1967-1989 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.

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 1860-1985 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.

 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 1884-1972 1.75 linear feet

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

 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 7 Note cards with research, references for Montana Genesis undated 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 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 8 Manuscript galleys 1971 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 undated

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

 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 6/6 Student field trip and unidentified photographs undated