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Montana Historical Society, Research Center records, 1874-2003

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Montana Historical Society. Research Center.
Title
Montana Historical Society, Research Center records
Dates
1874-2003 (inclusive)
Quantity
25 linear ft
Collection Number
RS 499 (Formerly MHS 3)
Summary
This collection is a subgroup (Program) of the Montana Historical Society records, RS 499. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Historical Society records. The Montana Historical Society Research Center (now Library & Archives) includes the Library, Archives, Photograph Archives, and Oral History program. Records in this collection include correspondence, reports, subject files, and miscellany.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection is 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

On December 21st, 1864, Francis M. Thompson introduced into the Territorial legislature, Council Bill 15 to incorporate the Historical Society of Montana, as a private organization. The purpose of the Society was “…to collect and arrange facts in regard to the early history of this Territory…." The bill was signed into law on February 2, 1865. The Society held its first organizational meeting later that month. Among the incorporators were Granville Stuart, H. L. Hosmer, C. P. Higgins, John Owens, and W. F. Sanders. The Society membership was limited to a few prominent Montana pioneers, who had to be elected by unanimous election by the members.

The Society began collecting reminiscences and other memorabilia of the early pioneers. Tragically, these collections burned in the disastrous 1874 fire in downtown Helena. Immediately after the fire, the Society contacted many of the original pioneers and obtained replacement reminiscences, diaries, and letters. They also began the intensive collection of the territory’s newspapers, publications of government expeditions, artifacts, and other items of interest. The collections were housed in the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse from 1886 until the completion of the new Capitol building in 1902.

The early history of the Society was one of a gradual increase in government involvement. In 1873 the legislature appropriated $150 to buy additional manuscripts and books. By 1887 the Territory was paying rent for housing the library and the salary of the librarian. In 1891 the collections were officially transferred to State control. And two years later the Governor was given the authority to appoint the Board of Trustees. In 1895 the legislature changed the name to “The Historical and Miscellaneous Library”. This name was retained until the 1923 legislature restored the original name. Finally in 1963 the name was changed to its present Montana Historical Society.

A separate building for the Society was planned as early as the mid 1920s, but the Depression, World War II, and other factors delayed the building until 1953 when the Veterans and Pioneers Building was completed. In 1951 K. Ross Toole was hired as the first professional director. His major task was to plan for the new building, and the varied programs which it would enable. Among these programs were a formal museum, art galleries, the library, and a magazine.

The Research Center, now Library & Archives, includes the Library, the Archives, the Photograph Archives, and the Oral History Program. Prior to the hiring of K. Ross Toole as Director in 1951, the Librarian also functioned as the administrative head of the Society. In 1969, the Library was named the official State Archives. A Photograph Curator was first hired in the early 1970s to maintain and catalog the large collection of photographs. In 1977, the Archives and Photo Archives separated from the Library, but returned to form the Library/Archives Division in the mid 1980s. This Division was renamed the Research Center in 2004 and then Library & Archives in 2022.

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Content Description

Library subgroup includes general correspondence (1874-2003), and outgoing correspondence (1803-1901) predominantly with researchers and donors. Some of the letters include lengthy reminiscences and discussions of historical events. In addition, there are financial records (1870-1956); legal documents (1873-1976) minutes (1874 re the publication of the first volume of the Contributions series; organizational records (1950-1976) including position descriptions, procedures, rules, etc.; a Library Bulletin; (1907-1908) biennial reports (1905-1968); subject files (1928-1997); miscellany, including scrapbooks (1878-1912) compiled by the Library containing letters, and writings concerning historical events and people, political campaigns, etc., and visitor registers (1898-1952); and scrapbooks (1898-1912) of clippings concerning political campaigns and platforms.

The Archives subgroup includes general correspondence (1969-1902); press releases (1969-1988); reports (1972-1995), including Gerald Ham’s report (1972) on the condition of the Archives, a report (1982) on an historical records survey, and a report (1986) on a local government records survey; and subject files (1957-2003).

The Photograph Archives subgroup includes general correspondence (1974-2003), predominantly with researchers and donors. The bulk of the correspondence consists of requests for prints, and permissions to publish. In addition there is a subject file concerning photo displays and grants.

The Oral History subgroup includes interoffice correspondence (1990-1993); general correspondence (1972-1993); legal documents (1982-1992); files on methodology; project files (1981-2005); project resource files; quarterly reports (1884-1992); subject files; writings; and miscellany.

The Library/Archives Division and Research Center subgroup contains materials concerning the program as a whole. Included are interoffice correspondence (1973-2003); general correspondence (1973-2001); financial records (1986-2000); minutes of program managers meetings (1984-2004) and staff meetings (1991-1998); organizational records (1989), consisting of alternative organizational plans; reports (1962-1997), including quarterly reports and reports to the Board of Trustees; subject files (1969-2005); and miscellany.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The Montana Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Library & Archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Library & Archives before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Name of Collection. Collection Number. Box and folder number. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subgroup and series.

Location of Collection

55:6-6

Processing Note

In 2024, the various collections of the Montana Historical Society were integrated under one collection identifier, RS 499, in order to help facilitate access, reduce redundancy in the MTHS catalog, and to follow best archival practices.

Collections from Montana Historical Society's Programs/Board that were previously treated as separate entities are now integrated into this collection, RS 499. Rather than reprocessing over 90 linear feet of Historical Society materials, MTHS staff decided to keep the past arrangement of those collections/finding aids, and provide access to them via links through the central finding aid. This decision has allowed the MTHS archival staff to maintain intellectual control over the collection, while removing the need to reprocess it. It also keeps State Agency finding aids at manageable sizes. Please read the scope and content note carefully to determine if this subgroup/sub-subgroup pertains to your research needs.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request.

Separated Materials

Printed material transferred to Library.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid prepared by Ellie Arguimbau; Updated by Lindsey Mick
2007; 2024

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