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Montana Territorial Centennial Commission Records , 1960-1966

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Montana Territorial Centennial Commission
Title
Montana Territorial Centennial Commission Records
Dates
1960-1966 (inclusive)
Quantity
2 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
RS 74
Summary
These Montana Territorial Centennial Commission records (1960-1968) include interoffice correspondence, general correspondence, financial records, legal documents, minutes, news releases, organizational materials, printed materials, reports, subject files, and miscellany.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library and Archives
Montana Historical Society, Library and Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 406-444-2681
Fax: 406-444-5297
mthslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

The Montana Territorial Centennial Commission was created as a special department of the Montana state government by the legislature in 1961 for "the sole purpose of providing a dignified, significant celebration during the full year of 1964 commemorating creation of the territory as well as honoring 75 years of statehood by and for the people of Montana." The Commission was composed of an executive committee which included Governor Tim Babcock; L.W. Upshaw of Great Falls as chairman; Ted Mannix of Deer Lodge as vice chairman; Michael Kennedy, director of the Montana Historical Society, as secretary; Robert D. Corette of Butte; Lyle Downing of Helena; Howard Kelsey of Gallatin Gateway; Lloyd G. Schermer of Missoula; and others. The Commission, a non-profit organization, created a "master plan" for the centennial year and presented it to the legislature in 1963 requesting funds to finance the program. An appropriation of $200,000 was approved for the state-wide celebration. In addition, a campaign to raise funds from private sources was also instigated and a quota system established that requested each county to donate "a nickel per capita," or five cents for each resident. The Commission organized the state into 1112 major areas" for planning and coordination of state-wide events, and then encouraged other counties and communities to plan local events for their own vicinity. Several major events were organized for the centennial year. The Montana Centennial Band and a float entitled "Big Sky Country" were entered in the 1964 Tournament of Roses Parade in California to kick off the year-long celebration. A major theatrical production entitled "The Montana Story" was produced and promoted by the Rogers Company of Ohio and booked to play in cities around the state. The Montana Centennial Train, equipped with four exhibit cars, traveled through Montana in February 1964, and then in the spring journeyed to New York City where it was on display in the Montana Pavilion of the World's Fair. A Centennial Music Committee was formed, chaired by Dr. Luther Richman of Montana State University in Missoula, and was in charge of a music festival around the state, production of the Indian opera "Poia," programs of original music about Montana written by Montanans, and other musical events. A contest was held to crown Miss Montana Centennial. The Governor's Centennial Ball was held in Helena on May 26 in conjunction with a re-enactment of President Abraham Lincoln's signing the Organic Act of 1864 which created Montana Territory. In addition to events, the Commission also designed and promoted a number of commemorative products for the centennial. These included firearms (Colt .45 and .22), decals, a cookbook, plates, napkins, and place mats, coins and medallions, and an official centennial publication entitled Montana, Big Sky Country which was edited by Michael Kennedy. The Commission was also successful in having a commemorative U.S. postage stamp honoring western artist Charles M. Russell produced. The celebration for 1965, which was the seventy-fifth anniversary of Montana's statehood, was much smaller than the territorial centennial festivities. The Montana exhibit continued at the New York World's Fair, the historical exhibits from the Montana Centennial Train were shown in Europe, and another float was entered in the Tournament of Roses Parade in January 1966. The final meeting of the Montana Territorial Centennial Commission was held on April 20, 1966.

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Content Description

This collection contains the records of the Montana Territorial Centennial Commission including interoffice correspondence (1960-1966) between members of the executive committee and committee chairmen; general correspondence (1960-1965) arranged alphabetically; financial records (1961-1966) including budgets, price lists, tax information, inventories of merchandise, finance reports, etc.; legal documents (1962-1965); minutes of the Commission meetings (1960-1966); news releases (1963-1964); organizational materials (1960-1966) including agendas, membership lists, master plan kit, committee information, etc.; printed material which includes the Commission's Bulletin (1962-1964); reports (1962-1965) including field reports, weekly reports, status reports, advertising reports, etc.; subject files (1960-1966) arranged alphabetically by title; miscellany (1963-1964); and clippings (1960-1964). Photographs, selected printed material, tapes and records, and artifacts were transferred to the Photo Archives, Library, Archives Sound Recording Collection, and Museum respectively.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by series.

Location of Collection

19:2-4

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information is available upon request.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

  • Interoffice Correspondence

    • Description: Miscellaneous (correspondents include Merrill G. Burlingame, L.W. Upshaw, Michael S. Kennedy, Dick Pace, Lloyd G. Schermer, Ted Mannix, Robert D. Corette)
      Dates: 1960-1964, 1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 1-2
      Location: Interoffice Correspondence

  • General Correspondence

    • Description: A-W (correspondents include Anaconda Company, Blanche and Tommy Harding, Mike Mansfield, Montana Governor, William Edgar Paxson, Rogers Company, U.S. Forest Service)
      Dates: 1960-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 3
      Location: General Correspondence

  • Financial Records

    • Description: "Budget of income and expense"
      Dates: 1962-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 4
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: "Consignment lists and inventories"
      Dates: 1964-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 5
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: "County quotas" (statewide finance campaign based on county population)
      Dates: 1961-1962
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 6
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: "Finance reports" (includes balance sheets, cash statements, accounts payable and receivable, etc.)
      Dates: 1962-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 7
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Lists of claims; check register
      Dates: 1963, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 8
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: "Office equipment information and inventory"
      Dates: 1965
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 9
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: "Office payroll information"
      Dates: 1963-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 10
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Price lists
      Dates: 1963-1964, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 11
      Location: Financial Records
    • Description: Tax information
      Dates: 1962-1963
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 12
      Location: Financial Records

  • Legal Documents

    • Description: Contract: Rogers Company
      Dates: 1962-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 13
      Location: Legal Documents
    • Description: Contracts: Ashton Printing and Engraving Company, Creek's Building Maintenance
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 14
      Location: Legal Documents
    • Description: "Registration of trade-marks with Secretary of State"
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 15
      Location: Legal Documents

  • Minutes

    • Description: "Centennial Commission minutes"
      Dates: 1960-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 16
      Location: Minutes

  • News Releases

    • Description: Miscellaneous
      Dates: 1963-1964, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 17
      Location: News Releases

  • Organization

    • Description: Agendas
      Dates: 1960-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 18
      Location: Organization
    • Description: County and area committees (general information)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 19
      Location: Organization
    • Description: "The Master Plan Kit"
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 20
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Membership lists; organizational chart
      Dates: 1962-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 21
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Statewide committee (general information)
      Dates: 1964, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 22
      Location: Organization
    • Description: Statements of objectives, purpose, and goals; suggestions for schedules, leadership, plans
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 23
      Location: Organization

  • Photographs

    • Description: List of photographs transferred to the Photo Archives
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 24
      Location: Photographs

  • Printed Material

    • Description: "Montana Centennial Commission Bulletin"
      Dates: 1962-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 25
      Location: Printed Material
    • Description: List of printed material transferred to the Library
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 26
      Location: Printed Material

  • Reports

    • Description: "A report to the Advertising Committee of the Montana State Advertising Department"
      Dates: 1962
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 27
      Location: Reports
    • Description: R.H. Rockhold, "Overall activities of the Committee"
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 28
      Location: Reports
    • Description: "Report of Select Committee of the House of Representatives in the 39th Legislative Assembly of the State of Montana, appointed for the purpose of studying the expenditures and many activities of the Montana Centennial Commission"
      Dates: 1965
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 29
      Location: Reports
    • Description: "Status reports" (includes reports on work of local committees)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 30
      Location: Reports
    • Description: "Weekly field reports: John Steele" (re county committees, includes correspondence)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 31
      Location: Reports
    • Description: Weekly reports; three-quarters reports; final report
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 32
      Location: Reports

  • Subject Files

    • Description: "Air Show"
      Dates: 1962
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 33
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Attorney General's opinions" (re commission liability, etc.)
      Dates: 1963-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 34
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Beard Program"
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 35
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Brochures"
      Dates: 1962-1963
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 36
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Centennial Medallions and Souvenir Dollars"
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 37
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Centennial Music Committee" (re opera "Poia"; Centennial Music Festival; "Sleeping Giant Symphony"; "Music by Montana Composers"; etc.)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 38
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Centennial Nuggets" (dance group)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 39
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Centennial Seal" (re copyright, use in marketing, etc.)
      Dates: 1962-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 40
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Centennial Songs and their Composers" (includes sheet music)
      Dates: 1964, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 41
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Centennial Supper Club" (re sale of coupon books for dining in restaurants)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 42
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: County committees: "12 Major Area Committee" (Silver Bow, Custer, Dawson, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Hill, Missoula, Toole, Valley, and Yellowstone counties)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: County committees: "Other County Committees" (includes some community committees)
      Dates: 1962-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "County Workshop meeting, March 6-7, 1964"
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Custer Reenactment" (re Battle of the Little Big Horn)
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 4
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Films" (re production of "Ghost Town, Montana," "The Montana Century," NBC Lewis and Clark Expedition film)
      Dates: 1962-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 5
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "First Ladies' Cookbook"
      Dates: 1963-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 6
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Ford Motor Company" (re use of automobiles during Centennial)
      Dates: 1963
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 7
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Guns" (re special edition commemorative guns)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 8
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Helena Centennial Commission (includes information on Centennial Ball and reenactment of the signing of the Organic Act)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 9
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Insurance"
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 10
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Legislation" (creation of Commission, etc.)
      Dates: 1963-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 11
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Montana American Legion Centennial Historical Spectacle"
      Dates: 1963
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 12
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Montana Centennial Band"
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 13
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Montana Centennial Party"
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 14
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Montana Centennial Train" (includes correspondence, financial reports, minutes, bulletins, inventories)
      Dates: 1961-1968
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 15-16
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Montana Program" (Montana the Big Sky Country," official centennial program and guide; includes biographical information on Commission members)
      Dates: 1963-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 17
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "The Montana Story" (centennial production)
      Dates: 1963-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 18
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Montana Territorial Centennial Fund" (fund-raising campaign)
      Dates: 1961-1962
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 19
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "New York World's Fair" (re Montana's exhibit)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 20
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Novelties: miscellaneous" (re decals, banners, plates, hats, ties, Russell coloring kit, mustache cups, place mats, napkins, ashtrays, key chains, street decorations, costumes, etc.)
      Dates: 1963-1965
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 21
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Oil company participation" (re promotional sales of plates, decals, coloring kits; serving as "Official information station", etc.)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 22
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Poems"
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 23
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Publicity" (includes centennial press kit)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 24
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Queens" (re "Miss Montana Centennial" contest and Montana's entry in "Miss America Pageant")
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 25
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Russell stamp" (Charles M. Russell commemorative stamp)
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 26
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "School project" (re centennial school education kit)
      Dates: 1963
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 27
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: "Tournament of Roses" (re Montana's float for parade)
      Dates: 1962-1966
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 28
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: L.W. Upshaw (re lobbying license, speaking engagements, biographical sketch)
      Dates: 1962-1963
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 29
      Location: Subject Files

  • Miscellany

    • Description: "Certificate for Distinguished Service"
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 30
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: Letterhead, envelopes, forms
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 31
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: List of artifacts transferred to the Museum
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 32
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: List of tapes and records transferred to the Archives Sound Recording Collection
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 33
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: Mailing lists
      Dates: 1963, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 34
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: Restoration of Original Governor's Mansion pamphlet
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 35
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: Schedule of events
      Dates: 1963-1964
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 36
      Location: Miscellany

  • Clippings

    • Description: Miscellaneous
      Dates: 1960-1964, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 37
      Location: Clippings

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Centennial celebrations
  • Montana Territorial Centennial

Finding aid prepared by MHS Staff
2004

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

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