Museum board hears of good numbers of March visitors

The H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum Board heard at its monthly meeting Monday that the museum had a very successful month and is preparing for events coming later this month and later this year.

Museum Manager Caroline Tuss said they got 67 attendees in March, well over the 17 they got in March of last year, so they are doing very well in that regard.

Tuss said their 3D printed dinosaurs are selling well but sales of "In the (Even More) Years Gone By," a collection of homesteader history in the area, did slow a bit from previous months.

Work on the back room of the museum and stairwell is ongoing, she said, and progress is being made.

Overall, she said, the museum is doing very well, with Dinosaur Trail passport holders starting to show up and the Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump opening on the horizon.

She said they have some school groups booked for the jump in the near future.

The board briefly discussed ongoing issues with the vehicle they use to access the jump for disabled people and those with mobility issues.

Board member Dave Martens Sr. said it should be ready later this month, but he's concerned it's becoming a liability for them given its issues.

As for the future, H. Earl and Margaret Turner Clack Memorial Museum Foundation Board President Elaine Morse said Hands On History is set for April 20 at the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line.

Morse said they will have 12 activities this year, all of them different from previous years as well as a new dinosaur display.

She said they will also have new musical entertainment.

The board also unanimously voted to invite Luke Donaldson to the board as they have one seat open.

Martens said Donaldson has expressed interest in being on the board and is very knowledgeable about Native American culture and history and will be a good addition to the board.

The board also discussed a number of donations to the museum including a replica of the dinosaur Zuul from the Chagnon family, which they are getting a display case for.

The newly discovered species of the armored ankylosaurus was found near Havre in 2014 and put on display in the Royal Ontario Museum.

The species was named Zuul due to its resemblance to the dog-like monster in the 1984 film "Ghostbusters."

The board also discussed a collection of paleontological finds that belonged to Vickie Clouse, a former board member who died last year.

Board Co-Chair Lela Patera said she also wanted to take the opportunity to remind people about the pricing at the museum and jump.

Museum admission is $3 for people 13 and up, $2 for people between 6 and 12 years old and free for those 5 and younger.

Prices for the jump are $15 for adults, $11 for seniors, $11 for people age 13 to 17, $9 for those between 6 and 12 and free for 5 and younger, she said.

She said they also have a family rate of $35 for two adults and two or more children, $10 each for a group of 10 or more, and a school trip rate of $3 for each student and $10 for each chaperone, though the former rises to $4 if it includes a stone boil.

The combined rate for the museum and jump is $16 for people 13 and up, $12 seniors, $10 for people 6 to 12 years old and a combined family rate of $40.

Tuss said she has received a number of comments from people saying these prices are very affordable compared to similar museums which people can't afford to go to any more.