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1. What is the Butte Public Archives?

The Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives was established in 1981 by ordinance to maintain the non-current records of the city-county of Butte-Silver Bow. Given the significant industrial, political, and social history of Butte in the American West, the government records and archival holdings are in great demand by scholars, authors, and genealogists.

2. What services are offered at the Archives?

The Archives provides a variety of services for researchers. Whether you are researching your family genealogy, writing a thesis, or looking for material for a book or film, the Archives can assist you. Contact the Archives for details.

3. Do I need to make an appointment to visit the Archives?

No. The Archives are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and you can visit at any time.

4. Can I make copies or take photographs at the Archives?

Yes! Many of the documents are quite fragile, so we are happy that new technology makes it possible to scan or photograph large or delicate documents. The Archives has hand scanners or you can use your own camera.

5. Are facilities at the Archives available for public use?

Yes! The Archives has two meeting spaces available for rent. The spacious auditorium can comfortably fit 40 people classroom style with tables and chairs and approximately 75 people audience style with chairs. It is available for use during business hours as well as in the evening and on weekends. The auditorium can accommodate presentations with a ceiling mounted, computer operated projector and screen. WiFi accessibility, a conference phone, and built-in sound system add to its functionality. The auditorium provides a view of the rooftops of historic buildings in Uptown Butte and the mountains to the south. The auditorium has been used for a variety of events such as meetings, training sessions, wedding showers, graduation parties, book signings, and exhibit openings.

A smaller conference room for up to 10 people is available for use during the Archives regular business hours. Please contact bsbarchives@bsb.mt.gov or (406) 782-3280 for fees and availability.

6. What is special about the Archives building?

The Archives is housed in a fire hall constructed in 1900 that is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2007, the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives, the Board of Directors, the Friends of the Archives, and the staff successfully presented a 7.5 million dollar bond issue to the public asking to construct an archival vault and rehabilitate the historic firehouse. The voters of Butte-Silver Bow voted overwhelmingly (75 to 25%) to fund the project. Completed on June 4, 2010, the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives research facility and state-of-the-art archival vault opened to the public on September 1, 2010. As someone said recently, the Archives “has to be one of Butte’s best public investments.” On the exterior, the architects ensured that the façade reflects the age of the original structure, and six quotations were chosen by the public to be etched in the granite on the outside of the building. The quotations epitomize the admiration people have for our community’s history and its people.