Clack Museum board makes plans for year

The H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum will be looking at making improvements both inside the walls of the museum and in the community as a whole for the coming year.

The board talked about its plans as it elected officers for 2015-16 Monday night.

Judi Dritshulas was re-elected chair, while Val Hickman was unanimously chosen as vice chairman replacing Gary Wilson, who is recovering from surgery.

The board talked about potential exhibits for the museum, but members were a bit discouraged that the number of visitors has declined in recent years.

Jim Spangelo, the museum manager, said part of the reason is that there is less of a walk-in trade because the portion of Holiday Village Mall where the mall is located is seeing less foot traffic.

The museum is located near what used to be the entrance of Sears, but the mall entrance to Sears has been blocked off, Spangelo said. Dritshulas suggested that the museum begin a lecture series that would be open to the community.

A variety of historical topics could be discussed, she said.

A program featuring Jeanette Rankin, the Montanan who was the first woman elected to Congress, was held last year and attracted a large crowd, she said.

Similar programs could be offered this year, she said.

Hickman said Humanities Montana will be holding a series of programs throughout the year in the Havre area, and several will probably be on historical topics.

She suggested the museum look into partnering with Humanities Montana in holding programs.

The idea was agreed to by other members.