Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-04-11
WILL START NEW
LIBRARY BY FALL
TWO-STORY BUILDING is BEING
PLANNED FOR HISTORICAL
COLLECTION
David Hilger, Historian, Has Served
in That Capacity Since Montana Be-
came a State, Having Been Appoint
ed by Gov. Joseph X. Toole.

For many years the pioneers of the
state OF Montana lave hoped for a
building TO house the rapidly grow
ing collection of records and relics Of
the historical society. The Montana
Pioneers society and the Sons and
Daughters Of Montana Pioneers
were instrumental in having an 70
preparation made by the last legis-.
lature and view with great salts
ing facilities.
According to David Hilger, librarian
OF the historical society, work will be
started on the new library building
by fall, and not many months will pass
before the priceless treasures may be
moved from the dingy recesses of the
capitol basement to a place where they
may be viewed to the best advantage.
An advisory committee of five will
be appointed 0 o to select the lOca-
ton for the new building, Mr.. Hilger
automatically becoming a member. One
member of the committee will be select
ed from the Sons and Daughters Of
Pioneers, another from the Montana,
Pioneer society and two to be appoint
ed by Gov. j. E. Erickson.
II Is planned to have a two-story
building with a full basement, the IL
brarian says, the basement to pro-
vide storage space for future collec-
tons. On the main floor will be the
library proper and on the second floor
will be an art gallery and museum, in
which will be placed the large number
OF pictures, historic documents and
relics and hundreds Of other articles
that have a historic background. The
building will be of ~fireproof construc-
ton, this being provided in the bill
that made possible the erection of the
library.
Only the most modern methods of
library construction will be used. &C.
cording to the pioneer historian. The
building will, in his opinion, be located
near the state capitol building for the
convenience of state officials, legisla-
tors and the public generally. It is
planned to have it heated by the same
central heating plant.
Il believe WE car construct a suffi-
GENTLY large and neat building with
the amount of funds available" said
MI. Hilger. THE library will compare
favorably with any similar library in
the northwest, and will contain one of
the most unique collections of historic
data ever assembled by any state.
There will be an elaborate newspaper
file, beginning with the Montana Post.
the first paper published in the state,
which dates back to 1864. Virginia City.
headquarters of the V~igilantes, was
the home of Montana's first news
paper.
1T is a real pleasure to know that
after years of planning and dreaming.
| will live to see the construction of q
library building befitting a state With
such a colorful history" said Mr.. Hill
ger. Our present headquarters in the
east end Of the first floor OF the cap
Itol building is crowded, many historic
Tiles should by rights be available to
the public"
The historian has been a member OF
he board OF trustees of the library
since Montana was made q state, ap-
pointed by the late Gov. Joseph K.
roolc the first time In 1890. After 80
years OF almost continuous service In
his work, Mr.. Hilger feels that the
new building will be a crowning sue
cess Of his efforts. Other members Of
board are Mrs. Josephine o. l.
OF Helena, o. r. Goddard Of
Billings, William N. Bole Of Oroa&
Falls and w. A. Hedges OF L~ewistovn-