HELENA — In the video above, Paul Sanchez reports on the The Foundation for Montana History, which recently announced its largest-ever grant-making cycle that will affect 19 counties in Montana.
Zach Coe of the Foundation for Montana History said that $240,000 in total grants was given to 29 history projects across the state.
She explained, "Just this year, we're doing a restoration project of the Yucca Theater in Treasure County, which is in Hysham, and we're really excited about that one because we've never actually funded a project in Treasure County. That building is such a cool and unique piece of our state's history. In addition to that, we've done projects in Fort Benton. We have one called the Keel Boat Mandan Project, which we're really excited about. That's a replica of kind of early-era Montana River travel."
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Ciara Ryan of The Foundation for Montana History said, "We're thrilled with the variety in terms of geography as well as subject matter this year. We've really got some great applications this year. It was a very competitive process this year. But we're thrilled with the projects that are very worthy and and reflect our mission this year for funding."
Benji Cosgrove of the Myrna Loy Theatre in Helena said, "When you're in a building that's over 100 years old, you always need a little bit of help, so we were really fortunate. We applied for the Montana History Foundation's grant to help us revitalize two of our large windows that face out the front of the building, as well as the original jail doors. And they're huge, enormously heavy wooden doors."
Among the other projects receiving grants:
- Blaine County, “Kuper Memorial Cemetery,” Chinook, $8,680 Grant: Blaine County will conduct a non-invasive investigation using ground penetrating radar to identify unmarked graves in the Kuper Memorial Cemetery near Chinook.
- Great Falls Historic Preservation, “Saint Peter’s Mission Interpretive Signs,” Great Falls, $5,000 Grant: The Great Falls Historic Preservation Office will collaborate with the Diocese, the Little Shell Tribe, and local historians to develop panels that interpret the history of Saint Peter’s Mission near Great Falls.
- Tree of Treasures, “Community Hall Floor Restoration,” Carter, $6,726 Grant: Tree of Treasures will work with experts to repair and restore the historic community hall’s deteriorating maple floor.
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