World-class heritage center considered

By Justin Post - 08/28/2008

A local non-profit organization is studying whether a world-class "heritage center" focusing on Butte's rich history would be a viable, self-sustaining addition to the Mining City.

The group envisions the Butte Heritage Center as a facility that would educate visitors from around the world and children across the state while boosting the local economy.

"We're trying to create Butte as a destination point," said Don Peoples, chairman. "A lot of people stop in Bozeman and Missoula and they bypass Butte." Speaking to The Montana Standard's editorial board Wednesday, Peoples and fellow board members said much work remains to determine whether a heritage center is even feasible in Butte.

A main concern is whether the facility would attract enough visitors to operate without being subsidized by local taxpayers.

"We know in many cases you build it, they're not going to come," said Mike Halligan, an officer of the non-profit and director of corporate and government relations for Washington Corp. "We're not going to make that mistake." The Washington Corp. has hired consultant Gyroscope Inc. of Oakland, Calif., to help develop a business plan and conduct a feasibility study of the heritage center concept.

The board is also working with Marilyn Wessel of the Museum of the Rockies to assist with demographic and tourist-related research.

The board envisions a center that includes classrooms and interactive exhibits of historical and cultural significance to Butte and the surrounding area.

The primary purpose of the center would be educational and would showcase Butte's mining, environmental, cultural, social and economic history as well as Butte's role in the national and world economy, according to the board.

Gyroscope's study will be completed in six to nine months.

If a decision is made to move forward after the study is complete, funding is expected to come from a combination of private and public foundations, individuals, as well as the state and federal governments.

Reporter Justin Post may be reached at justin.post@lee.net.

Who they are Members of the Butte Heritage Center board include Don Peoples, Harp Cote, Dan Steele, Ron Ueland, Jim McGarvey, Michael Punke, Debby McWhinney and Paul Keiper.

At the organizational meeting held on May 29, Don Peoples was elected chairman and Harp Cote, vice chairman.

Officers of the non-profit corporation include Debby Doyle McWhinney, president, Ron Ueland, vice president, and Mike Halligan, secretary/treasurer.

To advise the board and provide comment and community feedback into the project, a steering committee was formed comprised of Marko Lucich, Tad Dale, Hal Stearns, state Reps. Jim Keane and Jon Sesso, both Butte Democrats, Ellen Crain and Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive Paul Babb.