Butte-Anaconda National Historical Park & Local Heritage Area Initiative

Creating A Nationally Significant Destination . . . that would increase customer flow to existing local attractions and business has long been a dream in Butte. Over fifty other communities in the nation have made that dream a reality. “Heritage Tourist; Come, Stop, Stay, and Spend in the culture of the communities they choose to immerse themselves in.” Heritage Tourism Consultant, 2012 in Butte.

History of the Initiative

1961
  • Butte-Anaconda National Historic Landmark District was declared a National Historic Landmark.
1995
  • Representative from National Park Service visited the District and recommended National Park Service not get involved because of the uncertainty of the status of the Superfund Site.
2006
  • Butte-Anaconda National Historic Landmark District was expanded; an attempt was made at creating a Regional National Heritage Area.
2012
  • Heritage Tourism Consultants Came To Butte presented the Heritage Tourism Plan
2013
  • Fred Quivik gave a presentation in Butte on the Keweenaw National Historical Park Model.
  • The Butte Historical Society submitted a Request to the B-SB City-County Government, to request the creation of a National Heritage Area.
  • The B-SB Government sent a Request to the Montana Congressional Delegation.
  • Senators Tester and Walsh sent Requests to the NPS Director for a NPS National Heritage Aarea Special Resources Study.
  • Director of National Park Service Responded.
2014
  • The then B-SB CEO informed the National Heritage Area group that the B-SB Government would not support a National Heritage Area Initiative.
2015
  • A year was spent at a second attempt to garner support for the creation of a region approach.
2016
  • Butte Historical Society decided to seek funding for an Assessment Conference, now holding grant commitments and contributions totaling $12,000, to put on a conference.
2017
  • Butte Local Development Corporation called together an instigating cluster.
  • An Official B-SB Butter Heritage Committee has been formed.
  • The Current Federal Administration pulled the funding for the National Heritage Area Program stating that this is a function of the local community.
  • The B-SB Butte Heritage Committee is now focused on creating a National Historical Park and continuing the development of a Local Heritage Area.

In Summation;

  • The Consent Agreement for the Supper Fund remediation and restoration hopefully will be finalized shortly.
  •  It is time to start looking to the future.
  • The Keweenaw National Historical Park Model’s Key Ideas are;
    • All working together to create and provide a Park Like Experience
    • The Federal Government not involved with Local Heritage Area
    • The Federal Government Park Units, that are owned and operated by the NPS, are only the building sites on which the NPS's interpretive centers and offices are located
    • The NPS is not competing with the local attractions, but assisting in creating a greater customer flow to existent local attractions and business

Please fill out our online survey (If an interactive PDF opens on your browser, download the this file and open it with Acrobat.) Complete the PDF form, click Submit Form to create an email, and then send the email, or print our Opinion Survey HERE and mail it to:

Attn: BHS - Heritage Projects

c/o 2601 Grand Ave.

Butte, MT 59701