Clack Museum board tables discussion of reopening

The H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum Board, which hasn’t met since September due to COVID-19, met Monday evening to discuss the possibility of reopening the museum, but voted unanimously to table the matter due to the evolving nature of the pandemic in the county.

Board Member Alison Hecker said, especially with Canada still closed and the community in the midst of a post-holiday spike in cases and, by all appearances, a lack of demand, it’s probably not a good time to consider opening the museum.

Board Chair Lela Patera agreed and the matter was tabled until the next meeting Feb. 8.

Museum Manager Emily Mayer said she’s been using the time to work on cleaning and maintenance of the facility.

Mayer also said the steps at the Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump are being worked on, and they seem to be in good shape now.

Patera said bids have been made for the asbestos abatement needed for the future location of the museum, in the former Griggs Printing Building on the 10 Block of Fifth Avenue.

She said the H. Earl and Margaret Turner Clack Memorial Museum Foundation has made a decision about which bid to take.

The board also discussed the recent donation of a historic piano owned by the Gussenhovens, a prominent family in the early history of Havre.

Board Vice-Chair David Sageser said he’s been having trouble finding a way to move the piano without needing to rent equipment from Great Falls.