Montana Heritage Commission
The Commission
On April 23, 1997, the Montana legislature passed House Bills 5 and 14 authorizing the purchase of the Bovey Restoration properties in Virginia City and Nevada City for $6.5 million ($5 for the artifacts and $1.5 million for the buildings and land). The purchase was accomplished on May 16, 1997, and as a result the state became the owner of what may be the most complicated business in the entire state of Montana. Another $2.9 million was allotted to start the project. Thus, the state now owns about half the historic structures in Virginia City (one-quarter or fewer of all the buildings in the town) and all of the historic community of Nevada City, plus buildings moved in or constructed at both sites by Charlie and Sue Bovey.
The Legislature also created the Montana Heritage Commission to manage these properties and, possibly, other historic sites within Montana. The Commission's mandates are to protect the buildings and the artifacts and to make the sites economically self-sufficient. The governor and the legislature appointed commissioners, and there is some ex-officio representation from state agencies. Operations are run by executive director Paul Reichert. The Montana Historical Society has been closely involved with developing preservation and curatorial policies. Currently, the Virginia City, Nevada City, and Reeder's Alley in Helena are the properties managed by the Commission.
The Commission's role includes ensuring that the treatment of all historic buildings meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation, that treatment of all artifacts meets treatment and curation standards established by the American Association of Museums, and that interpretation is conducted according to standards established by the National Association for Interpretation.
The Montana Heritage Commission owns a total of 160 acres in 42 unconnected parcels. Besides lots in the town of Virginia City, the state owns approximately ten acres in the Nevada City townsite and approximately ninety acres of mining claims between the two sites. The Commission also owns most of the artifacts acquired from Bovey Restorations, and any artifacts acquired since 1997.
The properties that belonged to the Historic Landmark Society of Montana, notably the trains and the contract for locomotive No. 12, were donated by the Landmark Society to the Montana Historical Society Foundation in 1997, which then donated them to the Commission. When the state purchased the Bovey Restoration properties, included with the purchase was a contract already in place with the Escanaba Railroad to rebuild the 1910 Baldwin steam locomotive and rebuild the track in exchange for three Soo Line railroad cars, a chapel car, and a Shay locomotive.
The Montana Heritage Commission manages the state-owned assets in Virginia City and Nevada City. Day-to-day and long-term decisions rest with the Commission. Its management role includes establishing policies, procedures, and parameters to protect the assets while at the same time operating the facilities in a manner that leads to economic self-sufficiency.
The key components of the Commission's mission were originally the twin goals of preserving the historic resources it manages and becoming self-sustaining financially. Since then, the goal of providing interpretation to visitors has been added to the mix. It is recognized that through interpretation, Virginia City and Nevada City can offer the public valuable insights into the local and regional consequences of the 1860s gold rushes.
Over the years since it was established, the Commission has refined its mission, philosophy, and vision. The Commission hopes to tell the story of "the nation's best-preserved example of gold rush era architecture and history" and to reflect the changes and continuum of Montana's heritage. The Commission wants to ensure that its programs and activities prevent irrevocable loss of resources, enable visitors to understand their experiences in Virginia City and Nevada City in a coherent, explainable way, and integrate public interest with professional ethics and standards.
When acquired by the state, most of Virginia City and Nevada City's historic buildings and artifacts were at serious risk. The state of Montana acquired these historic resources to ensure their preservation into an indefinite future for educational and economic benefit. The Commission, together with partners such as the National Park Service and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has already taken critical steps to ensure professional care of these historic resources and is now building on this foundation.
The Commission can point to "brick and mortar" work as tangible accomplishments. The U.S. Congress provided a $1 million grant for historic preservation work in Virginia City in 2000.Work has begun on the highest-priority stabilization needs for buildings in both communities, based on a professional analysis of those needs. As of October 2000, the Commission had overseen repair work on 78 of the buildings it manages, and a number of sewer and water lines have been repaired. A $1.1 million curatorial center has been built, and the process of inventorying and accessioning artifacts has begun. The 2007 Legislature earmarked $2 million for building and artifact preservation work through the state's long-range building program.
Since 1997, the Commission has administered Virginia City and Nevada City as public attractions for visitors, primarily following the practices already established by Bovey Restorations. Several interpretive brochures keyed to historic buildings in Virginia City and Nevada City have been printed and distributed. A visitor center has been established in the Virginia City railroad depot, and a new entrance gate has been built at Nevada City. An annotated bibliography of all known documents about Alder Gulch, a summary of historical themes, a visitor survey, and a marketing study have been completed by consultants. A restored steam locomotive has been obtained, and this and a gasoline-powered engine carry visitors on a regular schedule between Virginia City and Nevada City during the summer season. The Commission oversees twenty concessions, including hotels in Virginia City and Nevada City, restaurants, and two theaters, and operates seven businesses. A thirteen-minute orientation video has been produced.
The Commission has hired an executive director, curators of history and of collections, a historic preservation specialist and preservation team, maintenance workers, gatekeepers, train operators, visitor center staff, and other seasonal or specialized staff, some on an as-needed basis. In 1999, there were only three full-time-equivalent employees; by the fall of 2000, this had grown to approximately twelve. Since hiring the executive director, the Commission has prepared a planning document or study every three months. A year-round office has been established in Virginia City.
To summarize, the Commission manages 248 buildings, several dozen businesses, coordinates with 23 interest groups, and is a partner with the town of Virginia City, the Virginia City Preservation Alliance, and the Virginia City Chamber of Commerce.
