For the past 3 years, Montana Preservation Alliance, in partnership with the NPS and the communities of Butte, Anaconda, Dillon, Lima, Virginia City, Twin Bridges, Sheridan, Ennis, Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, Boulder and Whitehall, Montana have conducted a series of workshops and meetings, exploring the potential and need for heritage areas, heritage tourism and preservation planning in the region.  This project takes those efforts to the next logical phase: expanding the Interpretive Framework of the 1993 Regional Historic Preservation Plan to include rural resources, and producing a Heritage Guidebook to orient visitors to the exceptional historic and cultural resources that await visitors along a regional heritage trail network. 

The guide will feature a “Loop” map with driving itineraries, descriptions and directions to heritage attractions, artist studios, galleries, craft workshops, historic lodgings & eateries, and annual heritage and culture events. With facilitation and support from MPA, representatives from these “Loop” communities are developing user-friendly information to tell their stories and highlight heritage and culture stops in Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, Basin, Boulder, Whitehall, Ennis, Virginia City, the Ruby Valley, Twin Bridges, Dillon, Lima and areas in between. These communities share a commitment to this approach and volunteer efforts to build a heritage tourism network are well underway. The loop trails have been identified, and representatives from each town are actively engaged.  From local chambers of commerce, historic preservation and planning staff, heritage societies & venues, to the state heritage commission, and local development and arts groups, a broad cross section of key organizations have joined this project.   

The guide will follow the successful model of other heritage trails in Montana and other states. The finished product will be a highly visual, professional quality guide that offers maps, visitor linkage to the resources in the area, and provides an interpretive narrative to the region.

Those interested in being listed in the guide should click the link below to learn more and submit an application.

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