Ellen Crain, Ralph Saunders Win MTHS Heritage Awards

• May 06 2024

Ellen Crain of Butte and and Ralph Saunders of Billings recently were bestowed with Heritage Awards by the Montana Historical Society’s Board of Trustees.

Crain was awarded the MTHS’s highest honor, the Montana Heritage Guardian Award, for her 32 years of service in the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives. She was part of a team that expanded the Butte National Historic Landmark District; has co-written three historic books; served on the State Historical Records Committee Advisory Board; and sits on the board of Humanities Montana. Crain also led the $7.5 million capital project to renovate and expand the Butte-Silver Bow Archives building.

“If history is what we live and what we grow from, there always has to be somebody who stands out, and to me this is Ellen,” said MTHS Trustee Steve Lozar. “If anybody ever had Montana in their heart, it is her.”

Saunders was honored with the Montana Heritage Keeper Award for his efforts to determine the Corp of Discovery’s likely camping sites on the Yellowstone River, and helping create a free app for visitors to locate various sites. He also worked to identify the precise Bozeman Trail location throughout Montana, and developed a program for seventh and eighth graders to better understand the Lewis and Clark expedition.

“Both Ellen and Ralph embody the the true meaning of keeping Montana’s past alive for current and future generations,” said MTHS Director Molly Kruckenberg. “Thanks to their efforts, history is more accessible than ever.”

The Montana Heritage Awards are conferred on people or organizations that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to a significant Montana history project or have identified and preserved objects or property of significance to Montana’s history and culture. 

Up to two people or organizations are honored each year by the MTHS Board of Trustees for the Heritage Awards. The Montana Heritage Guardian Award is given out only on special merit; it recognizes the accomplishments of one of the Heritage Keeper Award nominees with a record of outstanding accomplishments.

The awardees will be celebrated in their local communities at ceremonies sponsored by the Montana Historical Society.