Membership to the Three Forks Area Historical Society is open to anyone interested in local history or just looking for an active bunch to hang out with.
Annual membership fees are $25 per year. With each contribution, a member or patron "paddles up the river" to become next level supporter.
- Gallatin River Level - $125
- Jefferson River Level - $500
- Madison River Level - $1000
- Missouri River Level - $2500
- Mississipi River Level - $5000
Membership fees and contributions are tax deductible.
What we do
From its beginning the Three Forks Area Historical Society's purpose, taken from their constitution, has been to
"preserve and make available for study and research the history and culture of the area…"
If you have visited the Headwaters Heritage Museum or the Railroad & Trident Heritage Center, you'll have no doubt that the Society is
fulfilling its purpose. But look around some more and you will find that the Society is active outside its doors too.
For instance, many of the businesses around town have historic photos and memorabilia prominently displayed on
their walls, some of which were provided by the museum. And, then there are a whole series of community improvement projects.
- In 2004, the Society revitalized and enhanced Sacajawea Park on Main Street with the beautiful "Coming Home" statue,
benches, and memorial walls.
- In 2008, as part of the city's centennial celebration, the Society commissioned a mural for the side of the Ace Hardware building.
- In 2010, the Fur Trade Symposium brought over a hundred visitors from around the country and gave local businesses and
organizations an economic boost.
- In 2011, the Society began the Depot Defender Project to save the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot at Trident, MT, and turn it
into the Railroad & Trident Heritage Center (more affectionately known as the Depot), which was dedicated in 2021. The Society is also
refurbishing the Milwaukee Caboose and has acquired and refurbished Trident's vintage Vulcan steam locomotive.
- The Society has published three books, Headwaters Heritage History (1984), Selected Papers of the 2010 Fur Trade Symposium,
(2011), and The Sacajawea: A History of the Sacajawea Hotel (2021).
- Each year the Society opens the doors of the Headwaters Heritage Museum for the annual Christmas Stroll and hands out
hand-made Christmas Stockings for the community's youth.
- Each year we build amazing (& award winning) floats for entry into the annual Three Forks Rodeo Parade.
- From April to October, the Society holds monthly meetings to keep members and the public informed of our activities and acquisitions, with
an occasional presentation.
Volunteers and members of the Society are an active and enthusiastic bunch and welcome all newcomers. Come join us!
Memorials and Dedications
Patrons and members are welcome to donate to the general operating fund of the museum, the "depot" or to the Railroaders' Rail of
Honor Memorial, which honors the railroaders that lived, worked, or passed through the City of Three Forks in the over 70 years
of railroad history. All donations and memorials are tax deductible.
Executive Committee and Trustees
- Pat O'Brien Townsend - President
- Mike Lane - Vice President
- Gene Townsend - Secretary
- Patrick Finnegan - Treasurer / Webmaster
- Cheryl Lehr - Museum Director, Curator
- Robin Cadby-Sorensen - Curator Emeritus and Trustee
- Shane Hegar - Trustee
- Pam Carey - Trustee
- Cheryl Lehr - Trustee
- Allan Veltkamp - Trustee
- Gayle Clifford - Trustee and Membership Chair
- Linda Wilcox - Gift Shop Manager
