Hutter donates $2K for museum roof

The Heritage Museum recently received $2,000 in donations from Rich Hutter, owner of NAPA Auto Parts in Libby, toward its roof replacement project.

In response to the Museum’s annual membership letter and request for roof donations, Hutter sent the museum a check for $1,000. However, when museum board members Don Smart and Sherry Turner arrived recently at the auto parts store for a photo, Hutter surprised them with a second check for $1,000.

The Heritage Museum has two roof fundraisers scheduled in May for its grounds at 34067 U.S. 2, with a goal to raise $50,000 for the project.

Museum staff first will host a "Vintage and Collectibles Sale" from from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 6 and 7. The museum will be open both days and in the yard, there will be vintage treasures, antiques and collectibles offered for sale.

The museum’s annual opening day celebration then will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 21; there will be vendors outdoors, food, entertainment and other activities.

Heritage Museum's unique, rustic 12-sided log building is now listed on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places.

To date, the museum has been awarded six grants and received local donations for a total of $268,475 to help pay for the $405,415 total roof replacement project.

Donations to date include a Montana Historic Preservation grant, $229,690; a Lincoln County Community Foundation (LCCF) grant, $2,000; a Flathead Electric “Roundup for Safety” grant, $7,500; a Whitefish Community Foundation donation, $2,500; and a Americana Corner Fund at Donors Trust donation, $7,000.

Local businesses and individuals have donated $19,085.

The roof project is expected to start May 23 and be completed in four to six weeks, weather permitting. The building will remain open to the public seven days a week during roof construction.

Please email heritagemuseum@frontier.com or call 406-293-7521 if you are interested in helping with this very important community fundraising effort.