Historic ornaments sold out

Havre Daily News/Nikki Carlson

Northern Montana Vision Center ophthalmologist Marc Whitacre, left, and optometrist Erica Farmer take a closer look Dec. 6 at a historical holiday ornament of the former post office and courthouse building. The couple recently purchased the building depicted.

A new tradition in the area has gone over so well the organization sponsoring it is planning to see if it can refill supplies.

Lynda Taplin of the Havre/Hill County Historic Preservation Commission told the H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum Board Monday that the commission will look at ordering some additional copies of its limited-edition ornament, a replica of the old post office and federal courthouse.

John Bruington, manager of the Clack Museum, said the ornaments sold very quickly.

"(People) were just waiting, " he said. "One after another, they came in and bought them up. "

The preservation commission decided to start selling the ornaments to help fund its work on preserving historic sites in Havre and Hill County. One of its recent projects has been restoring the historic chapel at Camp Kiwanis in Beaver Creek Park, which is near completion.

The commission agreed to make the old post office the first in the limited- edition, engraved pewter ornaments, with other subjects to be decided each year for subsequent ornaments.

The ornaments sold for $15, with 50 available in the initial sale.

The group agreed that the ornaments went over so well the entire project needs to be rethought, with more likely to be ordered for sale in the future.

Taplin said after the meeting that the commission likely will do something to meet this year's demand.

"We have angry people because they didn't get one, so we need to do something, " she said.

The ornaments were hand-crafted by American artist Ben Cordsen.

Taplin told the board that she expects more can be available soon.

"Even if (they aren't here) by Christmas, if we can get the word out that they're on the way (people would know they will be available), " she said.