Butte Archives

I recently returned to Butte for the first time in 55 years with a grim task. Both of my parent’s cremains in tow, I was tasked with spreading the ashes in the Wise river. I had done a bit of genealogy and thought the Archives might help me find out a little more about my extensive Butte family history. Lindsay Mulcahy helped me. I contacted her by phone only a few days before my visit. After taking only a bit information she went to work. Even better, she recommended I contact the chamber for a trolly tour. This turned into not only a trolley tour but a personal tour by Chris Fisk as his daughter Hunter works at the chamber...nWhen I arrived at the archives not only Lindsay, but the whole staff treated me so warmly. Lindsay had researched my Butte family history and provided documents, addresses, newspaper articles, cemetery records... The facility was gorgeous. All three archive staff members present were so generous in discussing Butte history and current social structure. The archives charged me for only two hours research time and would not even allow me to buy them a pork chop johns sandwich for lunch.nI met with Chris just a few hours later and he drove me around to all the sites Lindsay had compiled. For nearly two hours he drove me around in his own vehicle as generations of my whole family history in Butte came to life. Chris is an absolute treasure trove of knowledge and obviously one of Gods gifts to teaching. As we parted ways Chris flatly refused to take as much as a dime for his time and trouble…nThe Trolley tour ended my whirlwind one-day tour of Butte and my family history. The guide Shane was obviously a Chis Fisk protégé. The tour was fun, entertaining, and informative.nThe archives are so much more than a wealth of documents! I left Butte with the warmest sentiments from what might have been a grim task. More than the facts and information shared by all these Butte residents, their warmth and generosity left me certain I decent from a community of people of good stock!

What a great space after the complete remodel several years ago. The large meeting area is useful and often open to the public. The rotating historical displays are also quite a treat. Helpful and professional staff!

Very helpful staff. Made it a breeze to find info on my house