Board revisits official name of Clack Museum

The Hill County museum in Havre is again seeking its official name.

The board of the museum, as part of updating its bylaws and procedures and forms, last month approved stating the official name of the museum, located in the Holiday Village Mall, as the H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum, named in memory of a prominent businessman and community leader.

At the board’s monthly meeting Monday, members Raela Hulett, who heads the bylaw revision committee, and Val Hickman raised concerns about the choice of the name.

Hulett and Hickman were unable to attend January’s meeting where the vote was taken.

In the course of the past few months, the board has discussed the fact that several names have been used for the museum, established in the 1960s to oversee historical collections and the Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump archaeological site on the bluff north of the mall.

At its January meeting, the board approved using in the revised bylaws “H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum” as well as stating the museum is “also known as” and listing other names used through the years.

Hulett, while presenting suggestions that Hill County Attorney Gina Dahl made about revising the bylaws and other documents, said Monday she has some concerns about what name is selected. She said her concerns include that it match whatever county resolution states the name is and that it match signage. If the name is changed, new signs will be needed, she said, and the county commissioners will need to approve a new resolution stating the name.

Records at the Hill County Commission office show the county government approved taking over the operation of the museum — originally created by the Havre Jaycees, the records show — in 1969. The name officially listed on County Commission documents is H. Earl. Clack Memorial Museum, the records show.

Hickman said that last decade the board approved using “Hill County” in the name to show that, while the museum is named in memory of Clack and the Clack family has supported the museum, it is a county owned, funded and operated museum.

The board agreed to put selecting the official name back on the agenda, for the March meeting, and to hold off voting on the bylaws until the board again votes on the name.

Board member Eli Salapich suggested that the discussion on the name be held in March, but a vote be delayed until April along with the bylaws. That will give anyone with input or concerns time to comment on the consensus of the board following the March discussion, he said.