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Teepees at First People's Buffalo Jump
GREAT NEWS! At our final community conversation about Montana's proposed FIRST National Heritage Area, with 110 people from Chouteau and Cascade County residents, we announced the name of our Heritage Area: Big Sky Country National Heritage Area. We felt that it better reflects the sweeping landscape of and resources in the proposed Heritage Area. We believe that sharing and preserving the history and heritage of central Montana. The primary benefit of having a Heritage Area would be to give the residents a strong voice in the economic development in the land they call home.
Economic development in a rural state like Montana may be different than those of larger populations, so we need to work together to make sure we use every tool possible, while protecting private property owner's rights, to ensure our area's future financial stability. President Ronald Regan thoughtfully created the unique National Heritage Area designation to do just that give local control to the people that live in the designated areas. Although NHAs are Congressionally designated and and are affiliated with the National Park Service, those entities do not make the decision in the Heritage Areas, nor do they exert control over them.
Instead, the NHA gives control to a local board of directors, comprised of people who want to bring more jobs, more people and and influx of money to the economy each year - while telling all the stories of this region, from agriculture to smelting to the economic successes of manufacturing. We need to share the ways that our area grew over the years, as well as what it has to offer today. Doing so will also draw attention to the fascinating history and heritage of this colorful piece of Montana.
We have worked hard for four years to get the input of the residents and businesses in and around Great Falls and Fort Benton, holding public meetings, having a detailed website with contact information and sending out electronic newsletters to keep folks informed. Through their donations, both oil company BP and Northwestern Energy understand why it is important to tell these stories - as we that live here want them told.
Now, after this extensive public input, we have almost completed a summary of that input, with a formal, written plan to tell all the stakeholders how we think this can be accomplished. A draft report will be released in early spring 2020, outlining how a Heritage Area will build our economy; it will showcase the important historic and cultural contributions central Montana made in shaping our nation. Six academic experts from Carroll College, Brigham Young University, Briscoe Western Art Museum, Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa, Tennessee Civil War NHA and the Montana Historic Preservation Office continue to donate their time to review the material. Our board has made other great strides this past year to advance our effort:
Public Opinion
In 2019, we conducted three public meetings in Fort Benton, Black Eagle, and Belt. Over 250 people overwhelmingly supported our effort. The mayors of Fort Benton, Cascade, Belt, Neihart and Great Falls fully embrace this endeavor and publicly support designation.
Legislative Process
In 2019, representatives from the Big Sky Country NHA visited Washington, D.C. twice and met with our Senators and Congressman, House and Senate staff from the Natural Resources Committees, and the National Coordinator for the NHAs. Montana's Congressional delegation recognizes the economic benefits of designation, and the National Coordinator believes our Feasibility Study will meet sufficiency. Draft legislation was well received.
Projects Underway
Organizations in our two-county area gave requested project assistance. The following is a partial list of ongoing Big Sky Country NHA projects:
Jenn Rowell of The Electric summarized the prior status in Group defines region's national significance as quest for National Heritage Area designation continues, January 31, 2019. Here is the press release for the January 2019 Community Conversations. Read the full press release for past events or contact Jane Weber at 406-454-6814 if you would like more information. For more more news about our work, see Jenn Rowell's article in The Electric: https://theelectricgf.com/2017/10/19/national-heritage-area-project-gaining-momentum-in-great-falls-region/. Learn more at "Everything you need to know about building Montana's first National Heritage Area," by Sarah Dettmer of the Great Falls Tribune.
Economic development in a rural state like Montana may be different than those of larger populations, so we need to work together to make sure we use every tool possible, while protecting private property owner's rights, to ensure our area's future financial stability. President Ronald Regan thoughtfully created the unique National Heritage Area designation to do just that give local control to the people that live in the designated areas. Although NHAs are Congressionally designated and and are affiliated with the National Park Service, those entities do not make the decision in the Heritage Areas, nor do they exert control over them.
Instead, the NHA gives control to a local board of directors, comprised of people who want to bring more jobs, more people and and influx of money to the economy each year - while telling all the stories of this region, from agriculture to smelting to the economic successes of manufacturing. We need to share the ways that our area grew over the years, as well as what it has to offer today. Doing so will also draw attention to the fascinating history and heritage of this colorful piece of Montana.
We have worked hard for four years to get the input of the residents and businesses in and around Great Falls and Fort Benton, holding public meetings, having a detailed website with contact information and sending out electronic newsletters to keep folks informed. Through their donations, both oil company BP and Northwestern Energy understand why it is important to tell these stories - as we that live here want them told.
Now, after this extensive public input, we have almost completed a summary of that input, with a formal, written plan to tell all the stakeholders how we think this can be accomplished. A draft report will be released in early spring 2020, outlining how a Heritage Area will build our economy; it will showcase the important historic and cultural contributions central Montana made in shaping our nation. Six academic experts from Carroll College, Brigham Young University, Briscoe Western Art Museum, Little Shell Tribe of the Chippewa, Tennessee Civil War NHA and the Montana Historic Preservation Office continue to donate their time to review the material. Our board has made other great strides this past year to advance our effort:
Public Opinion
In 2019, we conducted three public meetings in Fort Benton, Black Eagle, and Belt. Over 250 people overwhelmingly supported our effort. The mayors of Fort Benton, Cascade, Belt, Neihart and Great Falls fully embrace this endeavor and publicly support designation.
Legislative Process
In 2019, representatives from the Big Sky Country NHA visited Washington, D.C. twice and met with our Senators and Congressman, House and Senate staff from the Natural Resources Committees, and the National Coordinator for the NHAs. Montana's Congressional delegation recognizes the economic benefits of designation, and the National Coordinator believes our Feasibility Study will meet sufficiency. Draft legislation was well received.
Projects Underway
Organizations in our two-county area gave requested project assistance. The following is a partial list of ongoing Big Sky Country NHA projects:
- Preparing National Historic Register submission for the newly renovated Monarch Depot.
- Working with the Montana Department of Transportation for highway signage directing visitors to the Fort Benton National Historic Landmark.
- Assisted with the dedication of the C.M. Russell Honeymoon Cottage in Cascade and premier of the new PBS documentary about the artist's life.
- Providing technical advice on renovation of the historic IG Baker home in For Benton.
- Participating in the plans for EPA Superfund cleanup of the former Anaconda Refinery in Black Eagle.
- Assisted with the annual Little Shell Powwow.
- Assisting with the re-purposing of the decommissioned historic Rainbow Powerhouse.
- Preparing tourism and historical data for the Visit Great Falls Montana blog site.
Jenn Rowell of The Electric summarized the prior status in Group defines region's national significance as quest for National Heritage Area designation continues, January 31, 2019. Here is the press release for the January 2019 Community Conversations. Read the full press release for past events or contact Jane Weber at 406-454-6814 if you would like more information. For more more news about our work, see Jenn Rowell's article in The Electric: https://theelectricgf.com/2017/10/19/national-heritage-area-project-gaining-momentum-in-great-falls-region/. Learn more at "Everything you need to know about building Montana's first National Heritage Area," by Sarah Dettmer of the Great Falls Tribune.
LOCALLY Powered
Sculptures pay tribute to the Nez Perce & to Fort Benton as a "Contributing Site"
on the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail
The Big Sky Country National Heritage Area is an all-volunteer nonprofit formed to establish the first National Heritage Area (NHA) in Montana. To do this, we need to demonstrate to Congress that our regional landscape, culture and history are nationally significant to America's heritage.
We are working collaboratively with the local communities to define this special landscape along the Missouri River, from Fort Benton through Cascade County, as a National Heritage Area. The designation is honorary.
For more info about the nationally significant landmarks in this region, see the C.M. Russell Museum and Studio National Historic Landmark, Fort Benton National Historic Landmark, the Great Falls Lewis and Clark Great Falls Portage National Historic Landmark, and the First People's Buffalo Jump National Historic Landmark.
Although Congressional designation triggers eligibility for competitive modest federal funding, the Area is locally powered and managed by the Board of Directors and largely dependent on locally raised funding. All funds raised will be used to promote economic development and tourism within the Upper Missouri River area.
The federal legislation has NO impact on private property rights. It does NOT require property owners to permit public access to his or her property or modify any provisions with regard to public access or use of private lands. A National Heritage Area is NOT a government land grab. The National Park Service does NOT manage the Heritage Area.
We are working collaboratively with the local communities to define this special landscape along the Missouri River, from Fort Benton through Cascade County, as a National Heritage Area. The designation is honorary.
For more info about the nationally significant landmarks in this region, see the C.M. Russell Museum and Studio National Historic Landmark, Fort Benton National Historic Landmark, the Great Falls Lewis and Clark Great Falls Portage National Historic Landmark, and the First People's Buffalo Jump National Historic Landmark.
Although Congressional designation triggers eligibility for competitive modest federal funding, the Area is locally powered and managed by the Board of Directors and largely dependent on locally raised funding. All funds raised will be used to promote economic development and tourism within the Upper Missouri River area.
The federal legislation has NO impact on private property rights. It does NOT require property owners to permit public access to his or her property or modify any provisions with regard to public access or use of private lands. A National Heritage Area is NOT a government land grab. The National Park Service does NOT manage the Heritage Area.
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Explore
Explore the history, natural resources, businesses, industries, arts and culture of this area!
If you would like more information on the exciting and interesting, check out the many tourism and hospitality organizations in this corridor. Check in with Great Falls Tourism to find out more Great Falls. And then check in with "Fort Benton, The Birthplace of Montana Experience All Fort Benton Has to Offer" to find out about the many assets and things to do in and around Fort Benton. |
Capture the Stories
What makes the Upper Missouri River from Fort Benton to the Gates of the Mountains unique? The stories of Lewis and Clark and the people they met? The art of Charlie Russell? Our agricultural way of life? The Native American history? The industrial history - we literally "wired the world," by smelting the copper from the Butte mines.
Today, the five dams on the river provide electrical power to the United States. We are working to capture all these stories as a part of our Heritage Area work. What story would you like to share about this area? |
Get Involved
Learn more and help our efforts!
The supporting documents on our web site are designed to help you:
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