2026 SOUTHWEST MONTANA GRANT RECIPIENTS
Inspired by these projects and want to know if your project is a good fit for our program? Contact us at grants@mthistory.org
Enjoy these brief profiles on all of our grantees in Southwest Montana from the past grant cycle and visit our past grantees page to see which projects have made a historic impact in your area in years past!
Mai Wah Society, “Exhibit Supplies for History and Archaeology of Butte’s Chinatown Exhibit”, Butte, $10,647 Grant: The Mai Wah Society will use grant funds to purchase display cases and create interpretive signage for an exhibit on the artifacts found during an archaeology dig in Butte. Learn more about this organization at https://www.maiwah.org/
Archie Bray Foundation, “Preservation of Western Clay Manufacturing Company Blacksmith Shop”, Helena, $13,000 Grant: Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts will use grant funds to restore its 19th-century blacksmith shop, stabilizing the structure and cataloging tools so it can be opened to the public. Learn more about this organization at archiebray.org
Clark Chateau, “The Historic Clark Chateau Window Restoration”, Butte, $4,545: Clark Chateau will help preserve the original historic windows, fascias, and soffits of the building. Restoration will ensure that the building can continue to function as a vital part of the community, providing youth and adults with access to the arts and humanities, and keeping intact a critical element of Butte’s rich history. Learn more about this building at https://www.clarkchateau.org/
Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization, “The Story of Butte App and Website”, Butte, $10,00: Year one of a multi year award, Story of Butte, will expand the app and website with contributions by educators, historians, cultural organizations, and public archives. The project will support added text, photos and tours of education history, and Chinese, Greek and Serbian cultures in Butte. Learn more about this experience at storyofbutte.org
Preserve Montana, “Baxendale Schoolhouse Exterior Painting with Trades Corps”, Helena, $7,500: The project will restore the exterior of the historic Baxendale Schoolhouse, completed by Preserve Montana’s skilled trades staff and Trades Corps trainees, advancing its reuse as a statewide carpentry workshop and preservation learning lab. Learn more about this organization at www.preservemontana.org
Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation, “Old Montana Prison Tower 7 Roof Repair”, Deer Lodge, $3,854: The Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation will work with professionals to replace The Old Montana Prison Tower 7 roof to prevent further structural damage caused by time and weather. Learn more about this historic structure at www.pcmaf.org
Beaverhead County Cemetery Board, “Centennial Valley Cemeteries GPR Project”, Lima, $15,000: This project will use ground penetrating radar (GPR) at the Lakeview and Jones cemeteries, founded in 1900 by homesteaders, to locate unmarked graves, create maps for future reference, and provide education to the public on this early history in the area. Learn more about this organization at beaverheadcountymt.gov
Beaverhead County Museum, “Preparation of National Register of Historic Places Nomination”, Dillon, $5,000: The Beaverhead County Museum will complete a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the museum building to recognize its historic significance. Listing in the National Register will support long-term preservation planning, strengthen stewardship, and ensure continued public access to this important cultural resource. Learn more about this museum at https://beaverheadcountymt.gov/beaverhead-county-museum/
Holter Museum of Art, “DeWeese Collection Preservation and Archiving”, Helena, $10,872: The Holter Museum of Art DeWeese Collection Preservation & Archiving project archives and documents 22 textile paintings by historically important Montana modernist artist, Gennie DeWeese. Learn more about this organization at www.holtermuseum.org
IS YOUR PROJECT NEXT?
We hope that you’re inspired by some of the projects we’ve funded over the years. If you have questions about how your project can be next, let’s talk!
Questions about Grants from the Foundation? Contact us at grants@mthistory.org or call (406) 449-3770