Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-11-11
Museum of Plains Indians
Now Building at Browning

New Years gift to Collier, since last
Jan public announcement was made
of the fact that the museum was to
be built at Browning. Oct. 10 bids were
opened in Washington, and Oct. Is the
contract was awarded to the National
contractor has started work.
Assurance of the project was given
some time ago when excavation start
ed within the fairgrounds. AS this
work proceeded the high board fence
which had enclosed the area was torn
down. The cement foundation and all
footings for the building have all been
completed.
The location joins Browning on the
west and faces on the Roosevelt high
way from the north. 1t will be fur
nished with city water. The main power
line crosses the location. The entire
80-acre tract set aside for this project
has perfect drainage and lends itself
easily to landscaping.
The building fronts on the highway
1877 feet across by 100 feet northward.
1t has a full basement, a fun main
floor and part Of the second floor
above. To the west is the cottage Of
the superintendent and a garage.
The basement will contain, besides
the boiler room and heating plant,
storage for raw materials for the art
craft shop, a vault, museum storage,
lockers and a shipping room for the
shop. The main floor win have large
enclosed terrace and corridor besides
three big exhibit rooms, lunch room,
receiving room, shipping room, sales
room and a spacious veStfbule and
lobby. The second floor viii enclose
two big craft rooms, closets and the
library. Outside construction win be
Of varicolored brick.
On Historic Location
The location of the museum may
serve as a monument to commemorate
many events Of Importance to the
Blackfeet people. The last few years
it has been the rodeo grounds, where
the annual sundance took place. For
years before it was the spot where
the Blackfeet Indian fair brought
many people for the annual event.
Years before the fair, 1t was the race
track in the days of good horses and
lots OF money.
Forty years or more ago the annual
Sundance attracted an Indian camp of
hundreds of lodges. On these occasions
the old ceremonies were sincere, offer
ings were made to the sun and medi-
cine men and women spared no effort
to do carefully everything to make
their medicine show its power. There
are stories Of the more distant past
of hunting buffalo, elk and antelope
in this same little valley and one story
recounts the hunt for a white buffalo
bull and his capture not far south of
the same spot. Such an event was al
ways followed by sacred ceremonies
and songs.
Chief Bull. now In his 74th year, is
preparing to gather for this museum
all the remaining relics in the possess
sion of his friends far and near. He
has been responsible for an investiga-
ton of the possibility of removing the
writing rock" now far down on the
Missouri to the museum. This historic
stone, which Is covered with picture
writing" weighs many tons. It is sit
uated at a point where many Indian
tribes pass and leave their stories by
carving pictures on the sides and top
Of the rock. Plans have been tenta-
lively made to move this huge stone
to the grounds in front of the museum.
Through his efforts, many fine things
have been promised as soon as space
Is available.