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Institute of the Rockies records, 1941-1994 (bulk 1970-1994)

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Institute of the Rockies (U.S.)
Title
Institute of the Rockies records
Dates
1941-1994 (bulk 1970-1994) (inclusive)
Quantity
4.0 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 655
Summary
The Institute of the Rockies was established in Missoula, Montana, in 1973. The focus of Institute projects and workshops included elementary education, international education, the structure of local government, county heritage centers, energy and water policies in Montana, the Columbia River Watch and the use of chemicals in agriculture. The collection contains minutes, correspondence, newsletters and other materials generated by the Institute.
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. The use of personnel files in Series I is restricted.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for processing this collection was provided by the Matthew Hansen Endowment.
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Historical Note

The Institute of the Rockies was established as a not-for-profit educational association in Missoula, Montana in August, 1973. Patricia McMeekin Badgley and John H. Badgley created the concept, Harry Haines applied for and gained 501-c-3 status from the IRS. Key board members and advisers in addition to the Badgleys included Allen Bjergo, Lex Blood, Arnold Bolle, Audra and Lud Browman, Gary Cook, Dorothy Eck, William H. Edelman, Joseph Fitzgerald, Robert Howard, Chuck Jonkel, Nancy Leifer, David and William Maclay, LeRoy Malone, Joe McDonald, Joe McDowell, Bud and Janet Moore, Jean Morrison, Valerie Peacock, Clifford and Gail Stoltz. The Institute invited membership of individuals interested in the future of Montana and the Northwest region. Their focus was on the process of enhancing the knowledge of citizens with policy concerns shared by the membership. Influenced by American crises in the 1960s and the early 1970s, the Institute was part of a national movement seeking to energize grassroots democracy.

The vision advanced by the founders was conceived as "architectonic," the notion that in a free society, citizens should empower themselves to shape their culture and the priorities passed on to future generations. In that sense, all activities were future-oriented. Projects and workshops ranged from elementary education, structure of local government, county heritage centers, energy, and water policies in Montana, to the Columbia River Watch and use of chemicals in agriculture. The membership raised over a million dollars in cash and kind to fund these projects--such as the region's first earth-sheltered conference center near Missoula-- partially sustained and co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and its Montana Committee. However most funds were generated by families who served as directors or project advisors. Hundreds of citizens, students and local leaders around Montana and the Northwest volunteered time and ideas to advance the mission of the Institute.

In 1984, following the death of Patricia Badgley, the direction of the Institute changed under the leadership of Dr. Chuck Jonkel, the prominent wildlife biologist who created Missoula's International Wildlife Film Festival. Jonkel conceived of the Institute as an umbrella to nurture organizations working on environmental and wildlife issues. While less in the public eye, the Institute remains associated with the Great Bear Foundation in Missoula.

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Content Description

This collection contains by-laws, meeting minutes, newsletters, correspondence, and publications by and about the Institute from its founding in 1973 until 1994. While the administrative files and financial records reflect the Institute's history through 1994, the bulk of the files on the Institute's projects and programs document activities from the late-70s to the mid-80s. Most of these projects were specific to the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest and relate to the use of natural resources, economic development, and education. Not included in this collection are files specifically concerning the Institute's involvement in the International Wildlife Film Festival or the Great Bear Foundation.

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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. Non-exclusive rights given to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Institute of the Rockies Records, Archives and Special Collections, The University of Montana-Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection reflect the general activities of the Institute as stated in a 1991 reorganization proposal. Each series has been organized alphabetically. The collection is organized into 9 series.

Series I: Administrative files, 1973-1994 and undated, 0.5 linear feet

Series II: Financial records, 1973-1994, 0.2 linear feet

Series III: Community outreach, 1972-1984, 1.3 linear feet

Subseries 1: Columbia River Watch, 1972-1982, 0.3 linear feet

Subseries 2: Miscellaneous water projects, 1975-1979, 0.4 linear feet

Subseries 3: Energy projects, 1977-1984, 0.3 linear feet

Subseries 4: Economic development projects, 1976-1984, 0.3 linear feet

Series IV: Education programs, 1970-1994, 0.6 linear feet

Subseries 1: Education Clearinghouse, 1970-1979, 0.5 linear feet

Subseries 2: Montana Study Program, 1991-1994, 0.1 linear feet

Series V: Property management, 1977-1993, 0.2 linear feet

Subseries 1: Earth Conference Center, 1977-1985, 0.2 linear feet

Subseries 2: Other properties, 1981-1993, 3 folders

Series VI: Publications and Publicity, 1973-circa 1985, 0.3 linear feet

Series VII: Subject files, 1978-1994, 0.4 linear feet

Series VIII: Photographs, 1941 and circa 1978-circa 1980, 0.1 linear feet

Series IX: Sound recordings, 4 reels of audio tape, undated

Custodial History

Materials were in the possession of John Badgley prior to transfer to the Archives.

John Badgley delivered a second group of materials, which were inventoried on May 10, 2008. Prior to their transfer to Archives and Special Collections, the materials were kept at the home of Charles Jonkel, the president of the Institute at the date of deposit.

Acquisition Information

Gift of John Badgley, 2004 and 2008.

Processing Note

The Institute of the Rockies Records were donated as part of a larger collection of Badgley Family Papers. This series was separated from Badgley's personal and family materials to facilitate discovery and access.

In 2011, materials deposited after the initial accession were processed into the collection. In addition, the collection was organized into series to aid discovery and better reflect the operations of the Institute. Most of the financial documents and duplicate publications were not retained. Financial documents that were retained are intended to provide a summary of the Institute's finances over its history. Bank statements were retained for time periods not covered by annual reports or other summary documents stating the Institute's financial assets. One folder of documents related to a conservation easement were added in 2013.

Related Materials

An unprocessed collection of Badgley Family papers (Accession 2005-18) is available at the Archives.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Environmentalism -- Northwest, Pacific--Societies, etc.
  • Environmentalism--Montana --Societies, etc.
  • Political participation -- Montana--Societies, etc.
  • Political participation -- Northwest, Pacific--Societies, etc.

Geographical Names

  • Montana -- Politics and government--20th century.
  • Northwest, Pacific--Politics and government--20th century.

Collection processed by Ann Sullivan (2006) and Steven Bingo (2011).
2006

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

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