Thank you from the Heritage Museum

I would like to thank the Kootenai River Development Council, Big Sky Development Trust Fund and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation in Missoula for providing grant funding to complete a Strategic Plan for Libby’s Shay Locomotive No. 4 “Operating History” exhibit.

Chere Jiusto of the Montana Preservation Alliance in Helena completed the strategic plan for the Heritage Museum, which is now poised to proceed with its vision to create an “operating steam locomotive” as an exciting way to interpret the railroading and logging history of Libby. The strategic plan includes three phases: planning and capacity building (2017); static exhibit (2017-18); and an operating loop exhibit (2018-20). Each phase contains recommended goals, benchmarks, oversight, timeframes and funding.

Museum volunteers’ goal is that in five years, the Heritage Museum will be an anchor that offers educational and fun activities for families and individuals coming to south Lincoln County.

Work to re-assemble the rebuilt locomotive has resumed in the Shay Shed on the Museum grounds, thanks to the warm spring weather.

Unique opportunities await volunteers who join our more than 100 volunteers. You can become part of this exciting project by contacting the museum at 406-293-7521 or emailing heritagemuseum@frontier.com. You can also visit libbyheritagemuseum.org.

—Charley McFarland

President, Heritage Museum Board

Libby