Drag Saw
Bruce Davis demonstrates a drag saw. Heritage Museum file photo.
|
Gold Panning
Gold Panning at the Museum. Heritage Museum file photo.
|
Model T
Don Shea driving the Model T. Heritage Museum file photo.
|
|
Opening day at the Heritage Museum May 31st
Saturday, from 10 AM - 5 PM
by Laurie Mari
May 25, 2008
Thirty years ago, this community marked a momentous event - the opening of The Heritage Museum. Over time and with the help of numerous volunteers and countless hours, the museum has evolved and taken its place as a notable stop on the tour map as well as a yearly destination for many local families.
Everyone is invited to come and celebrate Libby’s history and see what made it the place that it is today. The museum is home to various machines, documents and artifacts that were part of Libby’s social and economic past. Step back in time for the day. Demonstrations are planned as well as a historical performance. There is a new exhibit this year: David Thompson and the Northwest Fur Trade. Thompson is acclaimed as one of the greatest land geographers who ever lived. The Heritage Museum is pleased to have opened this exhibit earlier this month on the 200th anniversary of Thompson’s arrival in what would later be the site of Libby, Montana. This exhibit was made possible by a grant from the Lincoln County Commissioners and private donations.
Logging and mining played major parts in the story of Libby. Some of the mining equipment will be operating such as the rock crusher powered by Leo Schmauch’s 1928 John Deere tractor. Visitors can learn to pan for real gold – always a favorite with the kids! Throughout the day, Bruce Davis will be operating his collection of chain saws and drag saws, showing some of the advancement in technology. Some that he plans to bring include two-man chain saws from the 1940’s, a 797 McCullough chainsaw that belonged to local logger, Oliver Decker, and a 1920’s Cascade drag saw from the Bill Schneider, Sr. homestead. Hyster lumber carrier and the 1946 Buffalo Fire Truck, both restored in 2003, will be on display in the yard. The “Big Boomer,” a giant oilfield engine, and several other antique engines from Kalispell are also expected. The Model T will be touring around the grounds.
The Kootenai Muzzleloaders will set up camp and show their crafts and skills throughout the day. From 10:30 -12:00 pm Shirley Koskela will demonstrate rug weaving on a handmade loom from the late 1880’s. The loom and the art of weaving have been passed down through the Koskela family. From 1:00-5:00 pm Swanie Hardgrove and her great granddaughter, Kaya, will demonstrate tatting, a technique for handcrafting lace. Some of Swanie’s beautiful handiwork will be on display.
Entertainment will take place in the Beebe Room:
10:00 am – The film “Pine, People & Deer”, produced by the J. Neils Lumber Co. in 1955, will show.
1:00 pm – George Sibley presents his video documentary of David Thompson and the Kootenai Falls Portage
2:15 pm – A live first person characterization performance of Jacco Finlay, David Thompson’s scout, by actor, storyteller and teacher, Al Cluck
3:30 pm – Live music by “Beyond Help” (Lee Tonner, Mike Powell and Tim Harcourt)
Artwork by the Libby Fine Arts Group will be on display in the Tower Gallery through the month of June. Plan to visit each month to see the changing exhibits in the gallery: quilts in July and photography in August.
Great burgers, hot dogs, cake, pie and other treats will be available in the old Sylvanite Ranger Station cookhouse. Just outside the cookhouse is the Heritage Garden, a vegetable and herb garden planted and tended by volunteers led by Jay Goley. This year’s theme is “Victory Garden” and Jay has planted only heirloom seeds. The Heritage Garden was started in 2006 in conjunction with the Smithsonian’s Key Ingredients: America by Food exhibition which was hosted by the Heritage Museum that July and August.
While you’re at the museum, you can sign up for the Heritage Museum’s Third Annual Chili Cook-Off scheduled for Saturday, September 20th. There will be cash prizes plus a special People’s Choice Award!
The season will continue through Nordicfest, Sept. 13, 2008. Hours are: Monday-Saturday, 10-5 and Sunday, 1-5. Admission is by donation. The museum has no paid staff and, other than an occasional grant, receives no funding from local, state or federal sources. The Heritage Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
|
