The nonprofit Northwest Montana Historical Society operates the Northwest Montana History Museum for the benefit of the Flathead Valley community and visitors.
More than 70 volunteers, including a heavily engaged board of directors, assist two full-time and several part-time staff members to keep the museum operating.
Our Mission
The Northwest Montana Historical Society/Northwest Montana History Museum is dedicated to the cultural and educational enrichment of the community through the acquisition, preservation, and display of material related to local history, and to the involvement of the public through research, community events, and volunteer opportunities.
Our History
The building that houses our museum is a brick and stone structure, one of the few remaining examples of classic Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, with most of its original hardwood floors, wainscoting, and tin ceilings intact.
The building was boarded up and threatened with demolition in 1991, but the city of Kalispell renovated the structure at a cost of $2.4 million, and since late 1999 has leased it to the Northwest Montana Historical Society for exhibits, performances, and community meetings.
The Northwest Montana History Museum is the premier facility for exhibits, artifacts, and events focused on regional history.
Our Board
Since the beginning, the Northwest Montana Historical Society (like the Flathead Historical Society before it) has been led and governed by a team of dedicated community volunteers.
Past presidents of the the Northwest Montana Historical Society include Delores Swanburg (1996-1998), Cliff Collins (1999), Sue Dailey (2000-2002), Joann Schadewitz (2003-2005), Robert O’Neil (2006-2009), and Richard Siderius (2010-2012).
Board of Directors
President: Laurie Happ
Vice President: Alex Berry
Secretary:
Treasurer: Margaret LeKander
Senior Advisory Directors
Betty Jo Malone
Linda Robbin
Board Officers
Sharon Bristow
Bob Brown
Art Burch
Bill Dakin
Donna Danz
Elaine Graber
Michael A. Hayes
A.J. King
Rod Wallette
J. Scott Wheeler
President Emeritus
Richard Siderius
Our Staff
Margaret E. Davis
Executive Director
With decades of experience in journalism, real estate development, and traditional bookbinding, Margaret E. Davis enjoys the opportunity to further her appreciation for Treasure State artifacts, stories, and archives.
Chris Cunningham
operations manager
Longtime Kalispell resident Chris Cunningham comes to us with a strong background in public libraries and research. He is already making headway on his goals: learn more about Flathead Valley, promote media literacy, and solve problems wherever possible for betterment of the community.
Bruce Mollberg
Maintenance
Bruce Mollberg grew up in Havre but has called Kalispell home for decades. He started helping at the museum in late 2022.
Ali Haynes
operations manager
The newest member of team museum, Ali Haynes right away will jump into helping with an update of a major exhibit, cross-training in various institutional tasks, and more.
Elle Eberts-Robocker
Assistant
Elle Eberts-Robocker helps with tours, the McClaren 1895 Classroom experience, research, and exhibits.