Butte Historical Society

Butte Historical Society: Preserving the Legacy of Butte, Montana

The Butte Historical Society serves as a vital institution dedicated to preserving the rich history of Butte, Montana, and surrounding Silver Bow County. Established in 1978, this non-profit organization has made significant strides in promoting local history through various projects and educational initiatives. Recently, an exciting development was announced regarding the museum’s future home.

New Home at the Old St. James Hospital

In an exciting turn of events, the Butte Historical Society will soon be relocating to the “North Unit” of the Old St. James Hospital. This historical structure will serve as a fitting backdrop for the society’s mission to honor and showcase the fascinating past of Butte. The conversion of this site into a museum promises to bring together local artifacts, documents, and stories that define the spirit of the community.

2024 Essay Contest Winners

The Butte Historical Society is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Essay Contest, which honors the contributions of Ann Cote-Smith. The contest encourages participants to explore personal narratives and historical themes connected to Butte. Kathleen Arvila-Scott took home the first place prize with her compelling essay, “A Finnish Boy’s Life in Butte, MT.” Following close behind, Leah Stergar’s essay, “Cornwall, England to Butte, Montana,” earned her the second place position.

Paddy Dennehy, the president of the Society, expressed gratitude towards the Butte Archives and Butte Public Library for their support throughout the contest. To further celebrate the participants, all essays from 2022, 2023, and 2024 will be compiled into a book that will be distributed to all contestants, whether they placed or not.

Available Publications and Fundraising Efforts

The Butte Historical Society has also released a 237-page book featuring stories from past essay contests held between 2019 and 2021. This publication includes an autobiography detailing Arthur Dubie’s experiences during World War I. The books are available for free to contestants, while others can purchase them to support the 2023 essay contest. Interested buyers can find these publications at Second Edition Books, located at 112 South Montana, Butte, or by calling 401-575-3948.

Join the Movement to Preserve History

The Butte Historical Society invites everyone to become part of its mission to safeguard the historical narrative of Butte. As the community looks forward to the new museum at the Old St. James Hospital, individuals can support its efforts by engaging in events, attending workshops, and purchasing publications. For more information, reach out via email at buttehistorysociety@gmail.com.