bsbarchives@bsb.mt.gov (406) 782-3280 17 W. Quartz, Butte, Montana

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Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives

Every person, through their lives, shapes local and American history. Archives are here to protect that history.

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Did you know?

During the era before prohibition, Butte supported five breweries: The Centennial, the Crystal, the Tivoli, The Butte Brewery, and the Olympia.

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In March of 1917 an auto show was held in Butte. N

In March of 1917 an auto show was held in Butte. Northwestern Motor Sales Company had the cars shown in the photograph, a Chandler 6 and Peerless, for sale. By looking at the Conditional Bills of Sale we can also see that Mrs. Mary McCarthy bought a Peerless Touring Car in May of 1917. Perhaps she purchased the car in this photo? It's fun to link the numerous resources available at the Archives together!
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Another neat resource at the Archives is the Anaco

Another neat resource at the Archives is the Anaconda Company's employment record books that are associated with rustling card system! .
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Some of the most widely used resources at the Arch

Some of the most widely used resources at the Archives are newspapers and city directories, but did you know we also have records of Widows Pensions, Coroner's Inquests and Naturalization Records? What is your favorite research tool at the Archives?
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When you enter into the Archives you are welcomed

When you enter into the Archives you are welcomed into the foyer, a beautiful mix of old and new! The brick you see was once the outside walls of the Archives, previously Fire station No. 1, before the renovation and expansion. You might also notice the pole which firefighters used to slide down when called out to an emergency. To access the public area of the Archives, guests may take the new staircase or the ADA compliant elevator. Rotating exhibits are often on display in the foyer as well. Just a reminder, the Archives is closed today, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day.
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After an item is processed it assigned a space in

After an item is processed it assigned a space in storage. Pictured today is a vault with bays. Items ranging from personal collections to records from the county are stored in the vaults. Did you know the vaults are kept at a certain temperature and humidity to best preserve the documents inside?
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After a donation is received it goes through proce

After a donation is received it goes through processing! During processing it is accessioned into PastPerfect software. Today's photo features pieces in the Alice Smith collection. Each piece of the collection is sorted through, cataloged with a description of each item, given a reference number and then stored in an archival manner by using acid free folders and boxes, for example, and put into storage (check back tomorrow for more information on how items are stored in the Archives!). .
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Do you ever wonder what happens when something is

Do you ever wonder what happens when something is donated to the Archives? The first step is Receiving! The Archives receives items in all sorts of conditions. If need be, a donation will be put into the receiving area to allow it to be cleaned before entering the processing area (more on that tomorrow!). A deed of gift is also filled out by the the donor when an item is first received by the Archives. .
Did you notice the floor in the video? It is the original floor to the fire station! .
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Any guesses on what the first photo is today? Chec

Any guesses on what the first photo is today? Check out the second photo for the answer! The featured wall is made from radiators originally used in the Archives building! .
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You are probably familiar with the Reading Room at

You are probably familiar with the Reading Room at the Archives as it is the space most patrons spend their time in, but do you recall what it looked like before the renovation? See the second photo to check out the similarities and differences! .
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Look at this beautiful sign that adorned the Finle

Look at this beautiful sign that adorned the Finlen Hotel in 1939. Does anyone remember this sign?

Photo: Courtesy of Don and Irene Scheidecker

St. Lawrence Church and rectory. Photo: MC0853

St. Lawrence Church and rectory.

Photo: MC0853

Three girls pose in a Penney's Valentine's Day dis

Three girls pose in a Penney's Valentine's Day display, 1948.

Photo: Smithers.076.032.05

What winter activities will you be up to with all

What winter activities will you be up to with all this fresh snow? This image is of two women skating at Holland Rink, no date. ❄❄ Photo: PH474.066

Today we celebrate Chinese New Year! From John As

Today we celebrate Chinese New Year!

From John Astle's Century of Butte Stories:

Sharply at midnight, firecrackers were set off to chase away any evil spirits who may hover to mar the 'good luck of the New Year.’ Those households which honored the 'Kitchen God’ placed joss sticks at his shrine as well as appropriate offerings of rice, wine, and meat. This deity was greatly revered, for it was he who controlled the abundance or shortage of food during the coming year.
The community worship was performed by the guardian of the Temple, who collected contributions in advance for the necessary preparations. Devout worshippers, seeking prosperity for their businesses and their families in China, visited the Temple and made personal offerings.

The New Year menu consisted of 12 to 24 courses. Special festive dishes served included such delicacies as Jin Doi - a fried round pastry with sweet filling; Nien Koa - a steamed rice flour pudding decorated with dates and sesame seed; Tai Lung Kum - a halfmoon-shaped pastry filled with bits of pork, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, and mushrooms. Lacquer sweetmeat boxes were filled with candied ginger roots, lotus seeds, coconut strips and squares, melon rind, kumquats, and lichee nuts.
Festivities lasted a month. Each household and business set aside a day for inviting friends to share in the New Year feast, which began the day after New Year and lasted until each family had its turn as host.
Photo: Smithers.02.002.06, Butte's Chinese Temple which was torn down in 1945.

Today marks the 125th anniversary of the Great Dyn

Today marks the 125th anniversary of the Great Dynamite Explosion. You can read more about this event on our blog: https://buttearchives.wordpress.com/2020/01/15/the-great-dynamite-explosion-of-1895/

Two women and child on porch of residence. We'd lo

Two women and child on porch of residence. We'd love to know where this home is or was if anyone recognizes it.

Photo: PH474.050

Man in ice skates at the Holland Rink, circa 1918.

Man in ice skates at the Holland Rink, circa 1918.

Photo: PH474.047

Unidentified child standing in front of a home, ci

Unidentified child standing in front of a home, circa 1918.

Photo: PH474.034

Women and children posed in automobile on a dirt r

Women and children posed in automobile on a dirt road, circa 1918.

Photo: PH474.011

Group of men and women posed kneeling at rail fenc

Group of men and women posed kneeling at rail fence, circa 1918.
Photo: PH474.007

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17 W. Quartz
Butte, MT 59701

1-406-782-3280

bsbarchives@bsb.mt.gov

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
closed on state and federal holidays

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