(greatfallstribune.com) “In the archives of the Cascade County Historical Society are tens of thousands of black-and-white photographs of Great Falls’ early citizens …
Black and white  and Native American  but mostly white.
In fact, local historian Ken Robison could find only a handful of images depicting what was a vibrant African-American community in Great Falls in the early 20th century.
“That’s one area where we’re pretty desperate,” said Robison, who points out that the dearth of materials is statewide.
He’s part of a large-scale effort, led by the Montana Historical Society, to preserve and document Montana’s African-American heritage before precious information slips away in fading memories and musty attics.
As Black History Month kicks off nationwide, the Historical Society is asking the state Legislature to approve a $14,000 grant to move the project forward.
“It’s an easy task for us to convince people that this is a worthwhile project,” said Kate Hampton, National Register historian for the Society.
African Americans were among the many ethnic groups who shaped Montana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hampton said.
“There were large pockets of African Americans in Great Falls, in Miles City, in Butte,” she said. “But in fact every community did boast diversity.” (more…)
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