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Western Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society records, 1962-1995

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Western Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society
Title
Western Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society records
Dates
1962-1995 (inclusive)
Quantity
2.1 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 648
Summary
The collection contains correspondence, meeting minutes, financial records, legal documents, reports, speeches and writings, subject files, film, and photographs of the Western Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society.
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

Organized in 1971 and incorporated in 1972, the purpose of the Western Montana Ghost Town Preservation Society was to preserve the remnants of western Montana’s ghost towns. Don Miller, a professor at The University of Montana in the Journalism School, led the organization as president for the first few years. In addition to the preservation of ghost towns, the organization had the opportunity to preserve and begin restoration of one of the first buildings at Fort Missoula. While working on the building at Fort Missoula, the society became interested and involved in creating a county museum. This effort resulted in the creation of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. The organization also purchased Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall in the ghost town of Elkhorn, Montana. After paying off a loan from the National Trust of Historic Places, the buildings were placed with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The organization ceased to exist in 2008.

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Content Description

The collection contains the correspondence, financial records, legal documents, reports, speeches and writings of the organization’s early years. After 1979, the records are incomplete and after 1983, non existent. The contents of the miscellaneous film is currently unknown.

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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

Western Montana Ghost Town Preservation 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 ten series:

Series I: General Correspondence, 1962, 1970-1995 1.0 linear foot

Series II: Minutes, 1971-1983, 0.2 linear feet

Series III: Financial Records, 1972-1978, 0.1 linear feet

Series IV: Legal Documents, 1972-1976, 1 folder

Series V: Reports, 1973-1979, 0.2 linear feet

Series VI: Speeches and Writings, 1936,1949, 1971-1977, 0.1 linear feet

Series VII: Subject Files, 1971-1975, undated, 0.1 linear feet

Series VIII: Clippings, 1972-1978, 2 folders

Series IX: Miscellaneous, 1974-1983, 1 folder

Series X: Photographs, 1968-1987, 5 folders

Series XI: Film, circa 1970s, 2 reels

Acquisition Information

Date and condition of original acquisition is not on record at Archives and Special Collections at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library. An additional donation was discovered in a building at Fort Missoula and donated in 2010.

Processing Note

The collection was processed in 2009. A small group of additional materials received in 2010 was incorporated into existing series of correspondence, financial records, and photographs.

In 2015, a small addition of miscellaneous film materials was added. In 2021, the motion picture film reels were cleaned, cored, and rehoused for preservation purposes and processed into the collection. Films were viewed to create content descriptions where able. In 2022, 5 reels were removed from the collection because they duplicate contents of retained reels.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Ghost towns--Montana--Societies, etc.
  • Historic preservation--Montana--Societies, etc.

Geographical Names

  • Elkhorn (Jefferson County, Mont.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Conservation and restoration
  • Fort Missoula (Mont.)--Buildings, structures, etc.--Conservation and restoration

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs

Finding aid prepared by Dale Johnson (2009)
2009

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

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