I have been reluctant to put in my two bits worth regarding the proposed new quarters for the Montana Historical Society, but because I have been asked numerous times in the past several weeks what I thought, here goes.

First, of all you must remember that I have been involved with the society for more than 50 years in one capacity or another, from exhibits designer to board member and am therefore terribly prejudiced, but also more aware of the needs of the society and its environs.

With that in mind let me make my case for the present projected plan and why it is the best (and most economical) plan, promulgated by almost six years of wrangling, planning and letting the public take part in this monumental undertaking.

There is no doubt that the collections of the society dating to the very beginning of this state are priceless and certainly well preserved for all of the citizens of this great state. That the society is well respected throughout the state, and indeed the Pacific Northwest, is readily proven by the growth of these collections in the past 50 some years.

I remember when the total artifact collection was exhibited in 13 showcases in the basement of the Capitol building. Today that collection numbers in the thousands, and each year it grows substantially. The good citizens of Montana bring their revered family heirlooms to the society for safekeeping, knowing that they will be properly cared for and will be available to future generations for study and professional exhibiting. This speaks well of the staff and the society.

Whether you know it or not the art holdings of the society are second to none. The C.M. Russell collection is one of the most extensive anywhere and coupled with the photo archives and library holdings, it is incomparable. The MacKay collection is the nucleus of this collection and is the source of some revenue for the society. The library and photo archives have contributed to nearly every written work on C.M. Russell in the past 50 years.

For nearly 30 years, the society has been the home of the Poindexter collection of modern art. The 40 works represent the ultimate in the avant garde movements of the 1940s and ’50s that swept the country and began an era of sweeping change in the United States. Carefully, Mr. and Mrs. Poindexter put together what has been acclaimed as one of the finest collections between New York and Los Angeles. Indeed, when this collection went on tour along the Pacific Coast in the late 1960s it drew rave reviews everywhere. We have never been able to display all of the works because of limited gallery space.

With the new facility this can become a reality.

The folk art, representational art and heritage collections round out the treasure trove of fine art. Surely they deserve to see the light of day. There is no room for traveling shows ... you want to see King Tut’s horde, maybe a new art form, or how about a great ceramics exhibit. After all, some of the “greats” came from Montana.

This is a brief but necessary overview of what can be ... if we work together and go with the plan that is now being presented. It only makes sense that we try to do something that is affordable and yet will endure for the next 50 years. The present quarters are bursting at the seams. There just isn’t any room to spare.

There is little sense arguing about parking. This is a big problem and we all know that more is needed. The plan as now proposed will give us the parking needed and will net more than 100 spaces in the below-level parking in the new quarters. In addition there will be a large parking area north of the proposed new structure, and probably in the coming years there will be street closures to accommodate more parking.

On the outside maybe the city of Helena could come up with a traffic plan that would alleviate all of the automobiles in one congested area. But for now there is adequate parking for the next 20 or so years, maybe even longer. You may not be able to park at the front door, but we all know those days are long gone. Ask the merchants on Last Chance Gulch.

The proposed area for the new building and for future expansion is all state owned, therefore there are no leases to procure, no land to buy, and no demolition of a large structure to just prepare the site for construction. One estimate for the whole shebang just mentioned with the construction of a replacement facility came in at a whopping $90-plus million. Can we afford that?

On the bright side, it would appear that the proposed plan is sensible, affordable and convenient. We utilize what we already have, connect to the new structure and provide a “destination” museum and galleries second to none in the Pacific Northwest. The society is blessed with a professional director, professional staff and a working board of trustees willing to put in the time and labor and support necessary for a successful endeavor. Let’s get behind them and get the job done. The benefits to be reaped are many and varied, the project is long overdue, let’s not get mired down with nit-picking and animosity. Bring this to fruition now.

R.F. ‘Bob’ Morgan is the curator emeritus of the

Montana Historical Society.