Mayer returns to position as Clack Museum manager

Former H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum Manager Emily Mayer returned to her job Tuesday at the museum.

Mayer, who was museum manager from 2002 to 2004 when it was in the Heritage Center, the former Havre post office on third Avenue now restored as the Havre Historic Post Office, will manage the museum now housed in the Holiday Village Mall.

She said that Museum Board Chair Judi Dritshulas called her last week to offer her the part-time position.

"And I said, 'Yes, yes. I will be the manager, I will do it,'" she said.

The manager position has been vacant since museum manager Jim Spangelo died last fall. Intermittent employees have overseen the museum since then.

Mayer said the museum is an important part of Hill County's identity.

"This is our identity, and this is something we should safeguard, protect and pass on to other people, pass it onto the next generation and let them know it is important to pass on that type of stuff," Mayer said.

For decades Mayer, a Havre native with family roots that extend back to the late 1800s, has worked vigorously to promote, research and write about the history of Hill County.

She operates the High Line Heritage House Museum in Havre and conducts tours through the city's historic district. In years past, she has also been a tour guide for Havre Beneath the Streets, and the Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump, has written two books and, from 2000 to 2005, was the first preservation officer of the Havre/Hill County Historic Preservation Commission.

Mayer said she will continue her tours and other projects, during hours when she is not working at the museum.

Mayer said her passion for history was fostered by her family and relatives.

Her aunts would always encourage her to listen to the stories both of her grandmothers used to tell about history, she said.

"So I remember a lot of their stories and what they told me," Mayer said.

This year, the museum will also start managing the Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump, an archeological bison kill site behind the Holiday Village Mall. From 1994 until last fall, John and Anna Brumley managed the archeological site that has become a magnet for tourists, class field trips and history enthusiasts.

Last year, the Brumleys turned the jump over to the county when they retired and moved to Salt Lake City.

Mayer said the high volume of snow will make managing the site very interesting this year.

"We are kind of concerned about that, but we will at least have the tour guides up and running before the season starts, hopefully after Memorial Day this year," she said.

She said she is not looking to make any major changes at the museum now. However, she said, she would love the opportunity to work with the board to create new displays when the museum eventually moves to the Griggs Building on the 100 Block of Fifth Avenue.

"It's going to be a challenge, but it is going to be a lot of fun putting all that stuff together," she said.

The biggest challenge, she said, is promoting the museum and Wahkpa Chu'gn, but she could soon get some help in that area. Monday the Havre City Council voted to recognize the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce as Havre's Convention and Vistors Bureau.

That establishes the Chamber as the local nonprofit that will receive and spend money from the state's 4 percent accommodation tax, also known as the bed tax, on hotel, motel and campground occupancy. The funding will be used to promote historic sites, activities and events in Havre to draw tourists.

"That will bring those bed tax dollars back into Havre so we can promote this community and all the fabulous things we have," Mayer said.