Did you know that the Heritage Museum log building is 46 years old? And that the unique 13,500 square foot log building is a 12-sided (dodecagon) composed of approximately 800 native western larch and lodgepole pine logs, 130-foot in diameter with a dodecagon-shaped 30-foot cupola (tower)? The creation of this extremely rare dodecagonal design represents the story of Libby community volunteerism at its best. A community-wide volunteer effort 46 years ago, volunteers were involved in every step of the building’s construction.
The Museum was conceived by Doug Porter, upon the death of his father, western landscape painter Roy D. Porter, in 1971. Doug wanted to fulfill his father’s dream of a Museum in Libby and needed a place to house his father’s paintings and extensive collection of 1800-1900’s historical artifacts.
The State of Montana issued a Bicentennial Celebration grant of $5,000 for the project. Portions of the project were donated by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees at Libby Dam: the building design was donated by Structural Engineer Floyd Lucas; the grounds design was donated by Architect Wayne Tlusty; and Electrical Engineer John Davidson donated his time to create the electrical system and concrete floor, and served as the first building Chairman. Dozens of local volunteers cut, loaded, and hauled the whole logs from the Hensley Creek drainage in the Yaak and Pipe Creek; then hand-peeled and saddle notched each log. Kyle and Iva Beebe, both in their 80’s, peeled over half the logs; hence the name of the Beebe Room in the Museum. Log homebuilders Dan Emerson and Claude Huckins constructed the building for $12,000. The Libby Fire Department donated the security and fire alarm system. One of the wooden front doors was built at the Libby High School by students in woodshop class. A local well-digger dug the well, charging only the cost of the well casings. Local volunteers catalogued, researched, and professionally exhibited the thousands of historical artifacts, prior to opening the Museum in 1978.
Today, continuing the legacy of volunteerism, the Museum continues to be staffed solely by volunteers, as it has been since it’s opening; amazingly, some of the current volunteers (i.e. Clarence and Verna Johnson, and John Davidson) have been associated with the Museum since before it was built. The building is currently being nominated for listing in the U. S. National Register of Historic Places. If you have any background information about volunteer Floyd Lucas, Structural Engineer at Libby Dam, please contact Sherry at (406) 293-9421.
The Museum Board of Directors is currently searching for volunteers for the following positions:
Board Member – elected to a 4-year term; must be a current member and attend 3 monthly Board meetings prior to election to qualify; Board meetings scheduled this year at the Museum Cookhouse are on Monday evenings: June 17 at 6 p.m.; and July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21, November 18, December 16 at 7 p.m.
Volunteer Coordinator – Solicit Museum volunteers, match volunteers with projects, and act as liaison between volunteers to successfully complete specific projects.
Membership Coordinator – Solicit business and individual members, maintain an electronic list of members, and provide an electronic newsletter to share current information with members.
Front Desk/Gift Shop Greeters – Shifts run 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (morning) and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (afternoon) mid-May through mid-September; current vacancies are Tuesday morning shift, and Friday and Saturday afternoons. Days/hours open will need to be reduced if there are not enough volunteers.
Handyperson with Carpentry Skills – Complete the installation of boards under the eaves between the log rafters and inside the building ends above the log walls of the 1931 Swamp Creek Community Hall (aka Dancehall) by October 1, 2019. The Montana History Foundation recently awarded a $1,200 grant to purchase the materials to completely enclose the building (see photo). This project will: keep birds and rodents out and prevent further damage to the interior; allow the display of items/artifacts without fear of damage; and allow use of the building during the spring/summer/fall for meetings, reunions, dances, parties, and other celebrations for only a donation. If you have carpentry skills and are looking for a rewarding project this summer, please call Sherry at (406) 293-9421 for more information.
Submitted by The Heritage Museum