TVIA Board of History: Mission Statement
The TVIA Board of History, chartered in 1971, is empowered by the Association to preserve historic information, buildings, and culture. Our memberships mission is to encourage and act on the publication of historic works, restore and preserve historic buildings, artifacts and monuments in our possession, and retain a living link with past cultural forms through interpretation, display and programs at the Historical Village in Eureka, Montana.
Historical Village
The Historical Village in Eureka, Montana is a collection of historic buildings and artifacts from the Tobacco Valley area. Our properties, which include ten structures and their contents, are maintained and administered by volunteer workers and fundraisers inspired by a concern to preserve the history of the Tobacco Valley area. This unique collection of structures and artifacts was made possible by generous donations from a number of private donors and the Lincoln Electric Cooperative.
Fewkes Store and Museum
Old Eureka Library and "Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy Church"
All buildings and artifacts on site date back to the 1880s and 1920s. They include a general store, schoolhouse, library, church, two log cabins, hand-hewn house, railway depot, caboose, and fire tower, some of which were rescued during the Libby Dam construction era in the late 1960s. Interpreters are on site and all buildings are open to the public from May until September. The Fewkes General Store, which serves as a museum, is also the depository of a large collection of archival materials donated by organizations and residents of the Tobacco Valley. This includes an extensive, properly cataloged and registered archive of written and photographic materials. These materials are available for research at a minimal fee.
Volunteers at the village offer interpretative and public programs, conduct research, and create exhibits from our extensive collection. The Historical Village is also a source of visitor information for the Tobacco Valley and the grounds are available for both private and public events.
Old Rexford Depot and Great Northern Caboose
The village also features a native plant display. The native plant display is designed to teach the value and importance of native plants and animals to Native Americans and early settlers to the area; and the continued importance of preserving the areas natural resource heritage.
For more details about materials or ground rentals please contact Lynda Young.
Fundraising
The TVIA Board of History does extensive fundraising to maintain the Historical Village and its contents. Some of our fund raising activities include sponsoring rummage and bakes sales, book sales, museum gift shop sales, Christmas bazaar sales, and quilt sales. Donations are also another important means of income, as is income from a group known as the TVIA Quilters. The TVIA Quilters are members of the Board of History who quilt every Friday from September to May in the schoolhouse to raise funds for the Historical Village. Anyone who is interested in joining the TVIA Quilters is invited to attend whenever they can.
If you would like to make a donation or become a member please contact Gayle Newman or write us:
TVIA Board of History
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.
Facilities and Grounds Use Policies
The grounds at the Historical Village are open year round for private reflection and walking. The village has a children's playground and picnic tables as well. Food is not available except during special events. Some nearby attractions are the Eureka Riverwalk and the Historical Building Tour.
The grounds and church at the Historical Village are available for private and community events for a fee. Some special programs held at the village each year include Rendezvous and Shakespeare in the Park. For more details please contact Lynda Young. Download Grounds Use Policy.
Contact Information
Board of History:
TVIA Board of History
PO Box 622
Eureka, MT 59917
Chairperson
Lynda Young
406-889-3492
Secretary
Joan Shirley
406-882-4688
Treasurer
Gayle Newman