Crazy Mountain Museum
Crazy Mountain Museum, P.O. Box 83,
Big Timber, MT 59011.
The
Sweet Grass Museum Society has its roots in the Pioneer Society founded in the
early 1900's. A permanent home was built in the 1990's and named Crazy Mountain
Museum. It is located south of Big Timber on Cemetery Road.
The
museum has evolved from a display facility located in a building on McLeod
Street. In addition to displays, it now boasts a research area, including a
large master index with over 5,500 surnames for individuals mentioned in a wide
variety of documents and pictures. In early 2002, volunteers completed indexing
Big Timber newspapers dating back to the 1890's. Individuals willing to do
lookups at the museum are listed at the bottom of the page.
Although
regular hours are maintained only during the summer, staff is available year
round to answer questions or arrange tours. The museum is now online. Contact
them at: cmmuseum@mtintouch.net.
New Exhibits
From
The New Breeze: New Exhibits for 2009: In the Veterans Hall: Virgil Gust
Military Exhibit; In the Large Exhibit Room: Cameras, Judy Cosgriff's Singer
Sewing Machine and Notions, All New Gene Barbieri Native American Items; In the
Pioneer Memorial Gallery: Baby shoes, Baby Furniture including Wagner Family
buggy & high chair from the Elgen family; In the Back Room: Jewelry Boxes
and a Wood Art Exhibit in August and September.
The
Sweet Grass County Museum Society and Crazy Mountain Museum publish a
newsletter "The New Breeze". It includes information about the
museum, new acquisitions, historical photos and articles.
The
Museum Society welcomes new members. There are three levels of membership:
General, $10; Donor, $25; and Founder, $100. Memberships include a subscription
to "The New Breeze". Make checks payable to the Sweet Grass Museum
Society and mail to: P.O. Box 83, Big Timber, MT 59011.
Memorial Day Festival
The
annual spring festival is held every Memorial Day, at the Crazy Mountain
Museum. This event has become a tradition for the community.
An
excellent lunch featuring Montana beef and Norwegian goodies highlight the
festival. There will also be a silent auction and entertainment.
A
growing exhibit at the museum is a flower garden of native plants including
Purple Prairie Clover, Bitterroot, and Mockorange.
Other
exhibits have been updated and continue to fascinate guests at the Museum. The
Schoolhouse, Norwegian Stabbur, Cobblestone City, Cremer Rodeo, and many more.
Plan to attend and bring your youngsters. The Crazy Mountain Museum is
supported by donations, memberships, and fundraisers. Memorials and donations
are always welcome.
Exhibits
Permanent
exhibits at the museum include a detailed model of Big Timber in 1907 called
"The Cobblestone City", a Norwegian stabbur, and a one room school
house, formerly Sourdough School. A pioneer room has many pictures and
histories of early settlers.
A
collection of names of veterans from the Spanish American War through the Gulf
War has been assembled by Bill Esp. This list of 1750 names from Sweet Grass
County is on display with related items.
Research
Microfilm
A
microfilm reader has been purchased by the Crazy Mountain Museum. The reader is
a gift from the Donald family through memorials to Ann Donald. The reader enables
those seeking family and other historical information to access far more data
than previously possible. The museum has many rolls of old Big Timber
newspapers on microfilm.
Research
Fees
The
first half hour of research at the Crazy Mountain Museum is free. After that
the staff charges $30 an hour for research. Copies are 25 cents.
Recent
Acquisitions and Donors
The
Museum lists acquisitions and donations in its newsletter. Click here for 1999-2009 acquisitions and donations.
Other
resources
·
"Montana Sweet Grass County From
Melville to the Boulder River Valley" by Phyllis Smith. This book can be
purchased from the museum for $19.95 plus $4 handling for mail orders. For more
information write the Crazy Mountain Museum; Box 83; Big Timber, MT 59011.
·
Bound volumes of the Big Timber Pioneer
from 1893 to the present.
·
Indexed newspaper obituaries.
·
Voter registration books from
1889-1940.
·
Big Timber police magistrate records
from 1902-1971.
·
Various old city records.
·
Some oral history tapes and
transcripts.
·
"Pioneer Memories", Vols.
1&2
·
"Tri-county Atlas"
·
"Jerkline to Jeep"
·
"Yesterday, Today,
Tomorrow"
·
SGHS annuals back to 1913
·
"History of Sweet Grass County
Schools"
·
"Hunter's Hot Springs
Chronology, 1888-1905"
·
"Progressive Men of
Montana", published in 1902
·
Various family biographies
Indexes to museum resources
o
Biography
Indexes: Pioneer Memories, Vols. 1&2 and Tri-county Atlas
o
Scrapbook
obituary index, Vol. 1
o
Scrapbook
obituary index, Vol. 2
o
Scrapbook
obituary index, Vol. 3
o
History and
biography scrapbook index
o
"Progressive
Men of Montana" index. Extensive volume of biographies published in about
1902.
Museum Hours and Access
Crazy Mountain Museum is open by
appointment during the winter. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day it is open
six days a week from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including Saturday and Sunday.
Closed on Mondays.
Sweet Grass County residents Rita Esp, Jan
Counter and Donna Harkness are
available to do research at the museum. All have knowledge of the area and its
residents. Copies are 25 cents per page. Mail services require a SASE. A donation
to the museum for services rendered would be welcome.
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