Bitter Root Valley Historical Society Museum in Ravalli County in danger of closing

Every member of the Bitter Root Valley Historical Society http://brvhsmuseum.org/ knows that something is going to have to change financially for the museum to survive.

It costs about $100,000 a year to operate the facility filled with artifacts and archival materials that document the history, culture and lives of those who came before in Ravalli County.

All the funds raised through special events, admission fees, membership dues, gift shop sales, memorials and bequests pay half of that amount.

The remainder comes mostly from an endowment fund that has been shrinking since the downturn of the national economy.

Without change, the fund will be exhausted in about four years and the society could be forced to close the museum’s doors.

By PERRY BACKUS Ravalli Republic

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_b100bd94-f475-11e0-b327-001cc4c002e0.html