H A Publication of the Spring 2020 SocietyMontana Historical Society ST R Good Beer Here Exhibit Opens The grand open- through the earliest beer brew- The exhibit opening was a family- ing of the new ing years, which took place a few friendly event that celebrated exhibit “Good Beer decades before Montana achieved Montana’s beer history with Here: Montana’s statehood. It shows early brewing brewery-themed decorations crafted Brewing History” equipment, along with slogans and by MHS volunteer coordinator Katie drew a standing- sales pitches. White, trivia, games, and samples room-only crowd Two wooden saloon doors that of root beer from Canyon Ferry to the Montana Historical Society graced the Mint Bar in Great Falls Brewing in Townsend, Montana. on February 27. — one of Charlie Russell’s favor- More than 350 people spent the ite hangouts — lead into a room evening quaffing cold brews while that explores the 1916 passage of eating beer-related appetizers and the state law prohibiting alcohol MHS Closes Galleries learning about Montana’s com- sales by 1918. The exhibit explains The Montana Historical Society plicated yet longtime love affair how, during Prohibition, many of has closed its museum galleries, with beer. Montana’s brewers turned to dairy Research Center, Museum Store, Director Bruce Whittenberg or soda products, while other small and the Original Governor’s noted that this is a fun exhibit for breweries closed shop. Mansion until further notice to all involved, and probably historic That wasn’t the end of Montana’s protect the public and staff during in that it’s the last one that will be connection to brewing, however. the COVID-19 outbreak. created in the Northeast Gallery. The exhibit also explores the syner- The closures are in line with Gov. The exhibit is expected to be in gies between beer and agriculture Steve Bullock’s recommendations place for two years while the new as the state grew to become an on social distancing to slow the Montana Heritage Center is under industry leader in barley produc- spread of coronaviruses. construction. tion, selling to brewing giants like “We will continue to serve the The idea hatched as Anneliese Budweiser. public by staffing the Research Warhank, an MHS archivist and In addition, the exhibit reviews Center desk for calls and email oral historian, was working on an the recent rise in home brewing and encourage access to collec- oral history project a few years ago. and microbreweries, featuring tions through our various digital Her work included recording MHS oral histories with some of those channels,” MHS Director Bruce board member and beer aficionado instrumental in passing legislation Whittenberg said on Tuesday. Steve Lozar. Whittenberg teased that legalized brewery taprooms in “Remember that access to the the two about coming up with the Montana and those who hopped Montana Historical Society col- idea for the exhibit in one of the on board during the latest brewing lections is not just about walking local taprooms. boom in the 1990s. through the door.” “I’m not sure which taproom Displays include historic cans, The research center can be reached Anneliese hatched this idea in, but bottles, and beer steins; a wide by phone at 406/444-2681 or 444- I’m pretty sure Steve was involved,” range of historic brewery signs; a 3112 or by email at mhslibrary@ Whittenberg said, laughing. “She home refrigerated “Serv-O-Draft” mt.gov. Montana Historical Society took two years doing deep research keg case from the 1930s; and a is online at mhs.mt.gov. From there, exploring and engaging the beer risqué Italian marble statue that navigate through the tabs at the top industry.” may have graced one of Helena’s of the page to access online collec- The exhibit walks visitors barrooms. tions and information. 1 DIRECTOR’S CORNER, BY BRUCE WHITTENBERG Changing the Tires While the Car’s Moving … Fasten your seatbelts, members and friends! Exciting times are ahead! At this writing, plans are going “full blast” (to borrow a term from K. Ross Toole) in the planning of your new Montana Historical Society complex, which includes the Montana Heritage Center. After some fifteen years of alter- nating excitement and frustration, we are now in the process of design- ing a new campus for the Montana Historical Society, across from the State Capitol in Helena. We know you share our excitement that the project is, at long last, under way. Even with the magnitude of Bruce Whittenberg made a few comments about the origin of the Good Beer Here brewing a major development like the exhibit. Behind him are Steve Lozar and Anneliese Warhank, who came up with the idea for Montana Heritage Center, we don’t the exhibit. have the luxury, or the desire, to goes where. That includes parking, together. make that our sole focus. We’re sim- galleries, archives, collections stor- At the same time, we are work- ply not going to pull the car to the age, education space, museum store, ing to keep our commitment to the side of the road while we change café, event center, and offices and legislature and the community to the tires. public spaces. We expect this phase raise $10 million in private dona- At the Montana Historical to continue through the summer tions. These private gifts generally Society, the work in each of our and construction to begin this fall will be applied to the interior of the six programs will continue, right or early next year. building — galleries, public spaces, through the disruption. A major Construction will be completed and exhibits — and provide naming exhibit, “Good Beer Here: Montana’s in phases. The first phase will estab- rights for generous gifts. Brewing History,” recently opened lish the new parking area to serve To keep tabs on our prog- in Montana’s Museum. This spring, the Montana Heritage Center, the ress and give comments on the an exhibit of portraits from the Capitol, and the entire campus. design process, visit the Montana fine art collection will debut. Book The second phase will build the Heritage Center website at projects are under way at the MHS new 65,600-square-foot Montana https://heritagecenter.mt.gov. Press, the Research Center is work- Heritage Center. The third phase will You don’t have to stand on the ing on major acquisitions, the State renovate the Veteran’s and Pioneers street corner as this car whizzes Historic Preservation Office will be Memorial Building, originally con- by. Hop in and come along for the awarding grants for historic pres- structed beginning in 1950. As much ride. ervation projects, and Montana The as we love this building, we’re sure Magazine of Western History will that will be an interesting process keep winning national awards. with a seventy-year-old building. About Us Now, here’s an update on the The total 159,000-square-foot project. The Society Star is published quarterly complex will significantly increase by the Montana Historical Society as a The siting process was completed available parking on the Capitol in December with the selection of benefit of membership. Campus while adding amenities and 7 the “6th and Roberts” site across ensuring room for future expansion. MHS Director: Bruce Whittenberg from the Montana State Capitol (see This process is not ruled by archi- 7 Membership Services: the last issue of the Society Star). tects and engineers. Virtually every Jodel Fohn (406) 444-2890 We are now in the “design phase” member of the Montana Historical 7 Editor: Eve Byron of the project, which involves, to Society staff and Board of Trustees montanahistoricalsociety.org put it simply, determining what will be heard as the design comes 2 Society Star: Spring 2020 Pete Brown to Head SHPO Governor Steve Bullock appointed equally fascinating to learn about a Pete Brown as Montana’s newest prehistoric stone tool and consider State Historic Preservation Officer what it says about its maker.” (SHPO) at the end of January. Brown obtained his Master of In addition to his work as his- Science degree in historic preserva- toric architecture specialist, Brown tion from Ball State University in has served as Acting SHPO since 2001 with a focus on historic build- Mark Baumler’s retirement in July ing technology. He joined SHPO in 2019. He’s eager to move into his 2002 but worked in historic preser- new position full-time and take on vation since 1996 in Philadelphia, a broader role. Indiana, and Boston. His introduc- “Work at the SHPO constantly tion to preservation was through presents new subject matter and hands-on work as an AmeriCorps learning opportunities. In my time member in Philadelphia. His favor- at SHPO, I’ve seen the Modernist ite aspect of preservation is righting architecture that early preserva- the wrongs in old houses wrought tionists rallied against become by the elements and neglect. historic in its own right,” Brown He and his wife, Christine said. “Modernism’s pragmatism, Brown, MHS interpretive histo- their current 1954 transitional idealism, and use of post-war man- rian, have rehabilitated a couple ranch-style house, which they live ufacturing capabilities, crystalized of houses, including a 1912 Arts in with their son, daughter, and America’s post-war mindset. It’s and Crafts–style four-square, and mutt Gus. Sad Farewells to Friends We were saddened to lose two dear friends recently. Betty Jones died in January and Chuck Jezick died in December. Serving for forty years, Betty Jones was the longest active volunteer at the Montana Historical Society. Betty started volunteering in 1980 as a docent conducting tours.