Stevensville will celebrate 174 years as a community on Sunday, September 27, 2015, at 2 p.m. at Historic St Mary’s Mission located at the west end of 4th Street beginning with the ringing of the Chapel bell and invocation.
The ceremony will include the presentation of colors by the Stevensville FFA Chapter and the raising of the Flathead Nation Flag by Salish Tribal members.
A re-enactment of the Salish Indians welcoming the Blackrobe missionaries in 1841 will be performed. In addition to this re-enactment, Father Pierre Jean DeSmet, S.J., will be commemorated. Ellen Baumler of the Montana Historical Society will give a presentation on the life of Father Pierre Jean DeSmet.
The Salish will give a presentation as well.
The Mission museum and gift shop will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. The museum will have a new look with two new displays. The Fort Owen display will feature a new display case containing trading post items of the era.
Guided tours of the historic buildings will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. at a reduced rate.
Our Lady of the Mountains Knights of Columbus Council will serve a barbecue meal from 3 to 4 p.m. as a fundraiser for their many charitable projects.
A special 2016 calendar commemorating the 175th Founders Day will be for sale. This 14-month calendar is beautifully illustrated by Stevensville artist Ella Buckallew. Her paintings capture 14 historic buildings important to the heritage of the Stevensville area. Significant dates of local history are noted for each month. Ella will be present to autograph your calendar and make it a true collector’s item for years to come. All proceeds of the calendar sales support the preservation efforts at Historic St. Mary’s Mission.
Founders Day is sponsored by the Stevensville Civic Club and Historic St. Mary’s Mission, Inc.
The event memorializes the roots of Montana’s oldest community, “Where Montana Began”.