Tobacco Valley Improvement Association
Welcome to the Tobacco Valley Improvement Association web site! On our website, you can learn all about our member's efforts in preserving our history and enhancing the arts in our community.
TVIA: Who we are and our Mission
The Tobacco Valley Improvement Association (TVIA) is an all-volunteer group of local residents dedicated to preserving our community's history and heritage, and enhancing the arts in our community. We are a not-for-profit association consisting of three boards, a Parent Board, the Board of Arts and the Board of History.
TVIAs mission is to provide not-for-profit social, charitable and educational opportunities to residents and visitors of the Tobacco Valley. We have two locations where we are most active. These are the Historical Village where you can take a walk back in time and learn about the early life and times in the Tobacco Valley; and the Creative Arts Center where we offer a variety of art classes and performances. We invite you to join us in our effort to help our communities grow and improve here in northwest Montana. You can become involved with TVIA by becoming a member, volunteering, donating funds, being a participant in or teaching a class. Everyone is also always welcome to just stop by and enjoy our facilities.
History of TVIA
The Tobacco Valley Improvement Association was formed in 1945 by a group of local residents from the communities of Eureka, Fortine, Trego and Rexford. The goal of our organization when it was originally formed was to tie the interests of all the communities in north Lincoln County together to promote business development and growth. Some of the activities undertaken by our earliest members included the recruitment of a resident physician; the raising of funds in cooperation with others to build a nursing home; and monitoring and representing the community's interests in social and economic matters related to the construction of the Libby Dam and the rerouting of transportation lines. In all practical aspects, TVIAs earliest activities were similar to those of a chamber of commerce.
Old Highway 93 access into Eureka, MT
It was in 1970 when TVIAs newly created Board of History formally acquired ownership of all of the historical structures and artifacts now on display at the Historical Village in Eureka, Montana. It was also in the early 1970's when the Board of Arts was created and recognized for helping oversee a revival of interests in the arts in the Tobacco Valley. Today, TVIA is responsible for hosting an awards banquet annually during which selected community members are honored for their acts and contributions to the community. We also are continuing with our efforts to maintain the Historical Village; educate visitors and residents about the arts, history and culture of our valley; and support the arts by providing a diversity of artistic, fitness and education programs at the Creative Arts Center facility. You are invited to join us when you can to take a step back in history or have an artistic experience.
Moving the Fewkes Store/Museum to its new location at the Historical Village
Parent Board
The Tobacco Valley Improvement Associations Parent Board oversees all administrative matters related to maintaining TVIAs 501(c)3 non-profit status. For questions about our non-profit status, accounting, and Internal Revenue Service affairs, please write or contact either Lisa Stewart or Karin Lamb.
TVIAs Parent Board holds an awards banquet once a year to honor the efforts of residents, organizations and associations in the Tobacco Valley who act on behalf of the good of our communities. With the exception of one award, recipients are chosen by a special awards committee during a private meeting (view recipient list). Awards given each year include:
Hall of Fame Award: Recipients must be residents or former residents of the Tobacco Valley, have made a marked contribution to the development of the Tobacco Valley in past years, and demonstrated by his/her actions a faith in the Tobacco Valley.
TVIA Award: Recipients include citizens of any age of the Tobacco Valley who have made outstanding achievements over the previous two years in the Tobacco Valley. Contributions may be in any area, including civic affairs, business, art, music, medicine, government, tourism, youth work, etc.
President Award: The recipient of this award is selected by the President of TVIA. Selection criteria is that the recipient is deemed to be the most outstanding individual and/or organization/association in the Tobacco Valley.
Early recipients of TVIA Awards
If you would like to make a donation or become a member please contact Lisa
Stewart or write us:
Tobacco Valley Improvement Association
P.O. Box 1452
Eureka, MT 59917
The Tobacco Valley Improvement Association is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit
Organization, your donation is tax deductible. Questions? For further
information you may contact any of our board members.
Contact Information
Parent Board:
Tobacco Valley Improvement Association
PO Box 1452
Eureka, MT 59917
President
Lynda Young
406-889-3492
Secretary
Joan Shirley
406-882-4688
Treasurer
Gayle Newman