Heritage Museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places
by Heritage Museum
April 20, 2020
On March 27, 2020, the unique 46-year old, 12-sided Heritage Museum log building in Libby was approved by the National Park Service for listing on the U. S. National Register of Historic Places.
A community-wide volunteer effort 46 years ago, volunteers were involved in every step of the building’s construction. Today volunteers comprise all its continued operations.
Normally, buildings under 50 years of age are not approved for listing. However, in this particular case, the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in Helena worked closely with Libby volunteers to create an application which built a strong case for the building’s unique and rare design, and its exceptional historical and cultural importance to the local Libby community. The Museum believes the application was approved because the creation of this extremely rare dodecagonal designed building also represents the story of local community volunteerism at its very best (see background below).
Background: The Museum building 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; Electrical Engineer John Davidson donated his time to create the electrical system and concrete floor, and served as the first building Chairman. U.S. Forest Service Landscape Architect Wayne Tlusty donated the grounds design. Dozens of local volunteers cut, loaded, and hauled the whole logs (donated by the U.S. Forest Service to Lincoln County, who in turn donated them for the project) to the building site; then others hand-peeled and saddle notched each log by chainsaw. 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 home builders Dan Emerson and Claude Huckins constructed the log framework for $12,000. The Libby Fire Department donated the security and fire alarm system. Both wooden front doors were built by students in woodshop class at the Libby High School. A local well-driller drilled 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 local volunteers continue to dedicate their time and energy to museum maintenance and operations.
The Museum’s normal hours of operation are open mid-May to mid-September, Monday through Friday 10AM to 5PM, and Sundays from 1-5PM. Admission is by donation. It is located at 34067 US Hwy 2 in Libby. The Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
When the COVID19 restrictions are lifted, the public is invited to attend Board meetings which are scheduled this year at 6 p.m. on Monday evenings: June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, and November 16 at the Museum Cookhouse. Volunteers completed the restoration of the Swamp Creek Community Hall last Fall; the log Hall has already been used for a wedding and a wedding reception. The Hall and the open-air outdoor Pavilion are available for meetings, reunions, dances, parties, and other celebrations for only a donation. Call Sherry at (406) 293-9421 if you want to reserve a facility and a date.
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