Libby's Heritage Museum set to open Saturday

Saturday's Opening Day Celebration at The Heritage Museum in Libby is sure to be one few will forget.

Opening day events will include a special presentation by local historian Jeff Gruber. He will share the story of the Libby Dam, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The museum will also feature a new exhibit commemorating the anniversary of the dedication of the dam. 

"We especially want to invite anyone who worked on the construction of Libby Dam or who worked in the operation of Libby Dam, to attend and come to Jeff Gruber’s talk at 10:30 a.m.," said Museum Director Laurie Mari

The annual celebration will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Here's the schedule for Saturday's events:

In the Museum’s Beebe Room:

· 10:30 a.m. – Local historian Jeff Gruber will speak on the Libby Dam project, 1966-1975. He’ll explain the need for a dam on the Kootenai, early locations and proposals as well as Canadian negotiations. He’ll describe the many facets of the project including the dam, railroad relocation, Highway 37, FDR Road, Koocanusa Bridge, Army Corps of Engineers’ aid to Lincoln County (new airport and school construction) and how Libby changed during the 10 years of dam construction.

· 11:30 a.m. – The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation will give a presentation on historical wildfire in our area. They will also be set up outside in the yard to answer your questions throughout the day.

· 1:00 p.m. – Watch a performance by the Old Town Opera House Theater.

Inside and outside the Museum:

· Check out the many products for sale by vendors in the trees from 10-5.

· Have lunch in the historic Sylvanite Cookhouse which will feature their delicious barbecued burgers, pie and cold drinks.

· Tour the museum grounds in a 1932 fire truck from 10-3.

· Vintage equipment demonstrated in the yard 10-4.

· Smokey Bear will be on the grounds from 10-12.

· A silent auction will be held in the Swamp Creek Community Hall from 10 – 4 to benefit the Shay Locomotive Restoration Project. Don’t miss this opportunity to take home a unique treasure.

· Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., stop by the Shay Shed that houses the museum’s Shay locomotive and visit with the volunteers heading up the restoration project. They will provide an update on the progress of the restoration and future plans for the locomotive.

· Beginning opening day and continuing through June 30, head upstairs to the Tower Gallery for a gorgeous display of quilts courtesy of the Kootenai Valley Quilt Guild. The gallery will have changing exhibits throughout the summer with artwork by local artists during July and photographs in August through the end of the season.

The Heritage Museum will be open for the season through mid-September, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.  to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

A donation for your admission is always appreciated. The Heritage Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and relies on donations to continue its mission to collect, preserve, protect and interpret the history of Lincoln County for education, research, cultural enrichment and recreation for local residents and visitors of all ages.

The Heritage Museum is run entirely by volunteers. For those who may be interested in volunteering, opportunities abound; please call the Museum at 406-293-7521 or stop by front desk and fill out a Volunteer Sign-up sheet.