The Northwest Montana History Museum wants to gain ownership* of its historic downtown Kalispell building from City Hall.  

The municipality has leased the brick and stone building at 124 Second Ave. E. to the nonprofit since 1997 to house exhibits, artifacts, performances and community meetings. But the arrangement has made it difficult to raise money, particularly from private donors, according to the museum’s leaders. 

“Tax-deductible, well-defined capital campaigns attract benefactors. But we are confronted with the reality that we don't own the facility and our tenure here is not ensured,” wrote Executive Director Margaret Davis, museum board President Laurie Happ and board member A.J. King in a letter to Kalispell City Council. 

The arrangement with City Hall often renders the nonprofit ineligible for funding sources. And private donors for capital improvements, of which the museum is in need, are leery of entities leasing government-owned buildings, according to the letter.  

“Ownership of the property will help the museum apply for grants to maintain, preserve and improve the structure, enable fundraising for a museum-owned permanent asset, and put the nonprofit on a more stable foundation,” the trio wrote. 

THE BUILDING was constructed in 1894, two years after Kalispell was incorporated. Central School, as it was known then, became the city’s first permanent school. 

Architectural drawings specified a two-story building built of brick and stone trimmings with native wood fitted inside, according to historical author and schoolteacher Henry Elwood’s book, “Kalispell Montana and The Upper Flathead Valley,” published in 1980.  

Most of the original hardwood floors, wainscoting and tin ceilings remain intact, according to the museum's website.  

By 1895, the district high school moved in along with four teachers. Two years later the building was overrun with enrolled children. Some students were diverted to the Scandinavian Methodist Church — now Community Thrift — which acted as a temporary schoolhouse.  

By 1991, the building was boarded up and headed for demolition. Doug Rauthe was elected Kalispell's mayor the year prior, serving until 1998.   

Reminiscing at a city-hosted gathering on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Master Plan revamp earlier this summer, the former Central School student recalled his tiebreaking vote to save the building. 

“I’ll chain myself to the steps of that school before I let anybody tear it down,” Rauthe remembered saying at the Council meeting regarding the demolition.   

Had he not cast his vote, the imposing building would have made way for a parking lot, he said.  

The city eventually spent $2.5 million to renovate the structure before leasing it to the historical society to operate a museum in 1997. The museum pays the city $10 a year for the property and is responsible for maintenance and repairs. 

THE MUSEUM’S board of directors unanimously supported the request to assume ownership of the building, according to the minutes of its May 8 meeting. 

Council is expected to discuss the request on Monday.  

“If there is interest, it is further recommended that Council discuss what the terms of that transfer would entail, such as price, timeline, etc.,” read a memo from City Manager Doug Russell.  

Reporter Jack Underhill may be reached at 758-4407 or [email protected].

*This story has been updated to better reflect the position of museum leadership.