Tina Rodewald recommended an article about the Big Sandy Historical Society Museum during Memorial Day Breakfast. I wanted to follow up because I highly respect Tina. Her service to our community is incredible. As always, she talked about the museum and praised the board for all their commitment.
The museum is full of history; even if you have visited it before, there is no way you got every story there. When I went over to interview, I noticed a story about Harry Green, Lawrence Green's father, sitting on the table. It had just been given to the library. The Great Falls Tribune printed it in April 1964. There were great pictures in it too. The library could be used way more than it is to tell children who we are. On July 11, the Big Sandy Library is taking local kids to the Big Sandy Museum on a tour and scavenger hunt.
Children love to hear stories of family history. Visits to the museum could fill many hours of childhood fantasies. It is open Tuesday through Saturday this summer. However, Tina told me they would open it to anyone if they requested a different time.
The museum's exterior was recently repainted. It was made possible by grants from the Lippard Clawiter Foundation, a grant from the Montana Realtors Association, and a donation from the Quinn Family Trust.
I asked if people had stuff they wanted to donate, and Tina shook her head just a little, no. She said, "Right now, we get a lot of history items when family members pass away. It is definitely stuff we could use, but it makes it kind of difficult because there's not enough room. The exhibits we do have some pretty good things."
I asked, "What's your most famous piece?" Micki Morey was visiting the library and said she liked the mural painted by Vernon the Boy. She likes it because the horse's eyes follow her around the floor.
Tina mentioned the teepee and the hunting cabin were the ones the kids liked the most.
Tina said, "Mostly I that would encourage people to visit the museum!"
The funds are raised through grants and the Memorial Day Breakfast. People can always donate. Please donate to the Big Sandy Historical Society PO 301 or drop it by the museum.
The board members are Linda Ophus, Earl Boettcher, Dale Morey, Shane Opus, Donnie Pegar, Verlin Reichelt, Brad Weaver and Tina and Traci Rodwald.
I dreamed while I was talking to her. It would be wonderful if someone would give them enough money to build on.
We talked about moving in an old schoolhouse. A few old schoolhouses are still standing in the countryside, but they are so run down now that it isn't feasible. But as we talked, we visited the old schoolhouses around. Maybe even some people in our community would love to drive into the country and find the old schoolhouses. There are still several people who went to school in those old schools that would love to tell you their stories, like stories about riding horses or walking across the country to get to school and about everyone of every age in a one-room schoolhouse. History is still alive here in Big Sandy. We just need to sit down, breathe it in, and celebrate.
