Helenan Tom Kilmer has generously sent in a collection of great images, which have been added to the Helena site. The subjects include the 1964 Last Chance Stampede parade, the Montana Centennial parade (also 1964), the Algeria Shrine Temple before it was the Civic Center, and a couple of Stewart Homes, the 1940s housing project on Montana Avenue where Tom grew up.
Stewart Homes has been in the Helena news lately because it is slated to be demolished and replaced with new affordable housing. In a recent Independent Record article, the Helena Housing Authority called for suggestions concerning the project, including perhaps a new name. In doing a little history research to accompany Tom's photos, I discovered that Stewart Homes is named for Samuel V. Stewart, who was Governor of Montana from 1913 to 1921. Governor Stewart's claim to infamy is that he made it a priority to enact the Montana Sedition Act in 1918.
The Act made it a crime to "“utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal, profane, violent, scurrilous, contemptuous, slurring, or abusive language” about the U.S. government, its Constitution, military, or flag. It conveniently overlooked the First Amendment to the same Constitution, which states that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech ….”
Thanks to the efforts of University of Montana journalism students, and others involved in The Sedition Project, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer recently pardoned 78 persons who had been conviced under the Act.
It's my opinion that for this reason alone, Governor Stewart's name be dropped from the future housing project, and the motivation for doing so should be made very public.
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4 comments:
Has proper historic preservation process been followed? Although Stewart Homes has had a bad reputation over the decades, the project is also over 50 years old, which means that Stewart Homes may be considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and therefore Section 106 would apply to any undertaking at the site, including razing. Section 106 would apply if any federal funding (such as HUD) or permits are needed.
I think it's reasonable to assume that the Helena Housing Authority are well-versed on Section 106, and are aware of the implications.
I recently read in the Independent Record that the Stewart Homes project has been put on hold until next year.
Personally, I think 50 years is too short a time for a structure to be automatically eligible for "Historic Place" status, unless there are unusual circumstances.
I ask, because I have often been surprised at how often process is not followed.
Just because a structure or district is 50 years does not mean it is automatically eligible for the National Register. Under the National Historic Preservation Act, whenever a historic property that is over 50 years may be affected through an undertaking, if said undertaking involves federal land, funding or permitting, then the property needs to be considered whether it is eligible or ineligible for listing. And eligibility does not mean it is automatically listed on the Register. What it does mean is that process of law must be followed.
The historic preservation laws are funny though. Such laws are generally hands-off in regards to private property, as long as federal funding or permitting is not required. plus, even listing on the Register does not guarantee the property cannot be destroyed. On the other hand, some sites LESS than 50 years of outstanding significance have been considered eligible and placed on the Register, such as Cape Canaveral or the high school where the Brown case applied. Plus significance is not only to be considered on the national level...it is state and local levels as well. The Pioneer Cabin does not have national significance, but it has local significance.
The main thing is that process is followed, and the chance to preserve if appropriate or at least record and understand our history is I think a fine ideal.
Kennon, I am a book author doing some research on a woman and her family who lived in the "Kessler School District" of Helena in around 1910 (I got this info from the census). I am having a ball exploring your site with all the beautiful historic photos. They have proved VERY useful to my research. I wonder if you can email me -- I tried emailing you at the site but my system doesn't connect with yours. So if you could email me at naess2@gmail.com I'd be most grateful. I'd like to pick your brain in depth about Helena from a century ago, if you don't mind! Thanks SO much -- look forward to making contact.
Debbie
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