Museum Board discusses teepee replacement and new merchandise

The H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum Board discussed at its monthly meeting Monday the recent purchase of a replacement for the teepee located at the Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump, as well as new merchandise that will be available at the museum.

The replacement for the 16-foot teepee, which includes the weatherized sheet and poles was paid for by an anonymous donor.

"There's gonna be a lot of work to get it painted," said Elaine Morse, president of the H. Earl and Margaret Turner Clack Memorial Museum Foundation.

The plan is to paint the sheet on the ground then set it up. The board discussed getting in touch with the Sweetgrass Society at Montana State University-Northtern to help make sure the paintings are historically and culturally accurate.

The board also discussed new merchandise that will be available at the museum. Merchandise may include postcards, posters, spiral-bound notebooks, T-shirts, metal water bottles and tumblers, and tote bags.

These items will all bear the new logo of the museum that was recently completed using funds allotted by Montana Tourism.

Samples of the merchandise were passed around at the meeting and the board has planned to spend what remains of its merchandise budget on these items.

"We should spend the $488," board member Val Hickman said.

The quantity of each item to purchase was discussed, but no final decision was made.

The board also discussed the annual tea party which will be taking place Saturday, April 25, at 1 p.m. and includes a quilt raffle.

Tickets will be $25 per person. All proceeds will go to the museum foundation.

During the meeting bylaws were reviewed and approved, but no updates were made.

The next meeting of the board will be Monday, April 13.