Loss of Mill Levy Money Concerns History Caretakers in Great Falls

As we all try and find a new notch in our belt to keep tightening it and find ways to cut costs out of our budgets, many public entities are also doing the same in today's hard times.

via GIPHY

As such, many of the dollars that they depend on come from donations from the public or private sectors, and also from our own elected officials in the form of mill levees.  Some of those are now looking at being cut, and it could have a big impact on history in Great Falls and Cascade County.

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Loss of Mill Levy Money Concerns History Caretakers in Great Falls

The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art and the History Museum and Research Center have issued a joint press release regarding the possible loss of mill levy funding through the county.  Losing those funds "would be hugely detrimental to the basic operations of both museums" according to the release.

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The County has historically budgeted mill levy funding to the two centers since the late 1970's.  Those funds are important, as they "comprise 23% of Paris Gibson Square’s annual operating budget and 36% of The History Museum’s annual operating budget."

About Paris Gibson Square of Art and History Museum's Importance in Great Falls

The Square, founded in 1977, is North Central Montana's only contemporary art facility, offering art installations, collections, art classes and more.  The museum also resides in stewards the original 1896 building of the historic Central High School.

Megan Brady

The History Museum and Research Center in Great Falls with the Cascade County Historical Society "preserves and shares the history of North Central Montana through exhibitions, research archives and public programming."  The center maintains "5,500 square feet of closed stack resources and over 80,000 historic and ethnographic objects accessible to the public."