Group works to keep open fabled museum

The 160-year old violin played at Saturday’s open house at the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana certainly wasn’t the oldest artifact at the 13-year old house of history but it surely made the prettiest sound when played.

The violin played by Clara Wieck, a Cheff family relative, during the event was built in 1846 and was owned by 95 year-old Bud Cheff Sr.’s father. The instrument was made by Jean Baptiste Vuillaume, described as “the single most influential personality in the violin world of the 19th century. A prolific maker, inventor, connoisseur and dealer, he established Paris as the centre of the violin trade, which it remained until after his death.” While not a product of Northwest Montana, no one complained as Wieck entertained the guests.

Those other pieces were also on display for all attendees to view: pictures and amulets, weapons and a life-size diorama and animals from hunts long ago. All are strategically placed around the beautiful log and concrete museum to give locals and tourists alike a rounded view of the early history of Northwest Montana. The depth and insight the non-profit museum creates for all visitors is part of the reason the board of directors and a group of volunteers is working tirelessly to raise the funds necessary to save this enclave of history.

“There’s $450,000 probably needed to purchase the museum,” volunteer Donna Cheff said. “All the items inside were collected by Bud [Cheff, Jr.] and others who have donated or put them on loan.”

Less than a fifth of the way to the goal, those who work so hard for the museum are continuing efforts to drum up funding. At the weekend’s open house. Donna said more than $4,000 was pledged from local businesses, a welcome amount that will be put towards the space.

“At this time, the board is seeking no donations, but pledges only,” Donna said. “The pledges will be exchanged for dollars if the entire amount is secured to save the building and the 3.5 acres that it sits upon.”

If those pledges are put into dollars, Donna said permanent displays with nameplates will be put up at the museum as a way to honor the donator, a birth, graduation or in someone’s memory.

It’s not always easy to continue plugging along, Donna admitted, but it’s worth it when the kids come in and then leave with grins and wonderment on their faces. After all, most of the traffic coming in is school groups from around the Valley, a first step in teaching youngsters some of the history of where they are born and raised.

Part of why this is such an important fundraiser, Donna said, is that the Ninepipes Lodge and Restaurant was already lost to the bank after the Cheffs were unable to keep up on payments. They’re desperately hoping that same fate does not await their unique museum into which they’ve poured their time and efforts for several years. The artifacts displayed have been collected since Bud, Jr. was a child as he gained an appreciation for such items at a young age.

“It’s a work of love,” Bud Jr. and his wife Laurel both agree.

The group will hold a fundraising pancake supper from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. this Saturday night at the Ronan Senior Citizen Center, which will follow the Christmas drawings at Community Bank and precede the town’s Parade of Lights, Donna said.

For more information on the museum or to make a donation, visit www.ninepipesmuseum.org.