Construction Starts on Unique New Museum in Missoula

Conservation is an important part of the American experience, and if Americans want to experience and learn more about the country's accomplishments, Missoula is the destination.

By this time next year, crews are scheduled to be putting the finishing touches on a major new addition to the National Museum of Forest History, focused entirely on conservation.

The new National Conservation Legacy Center is expected to be a major attraction for tourists, and Montana residents.

READ MORE: Legendary Air Tanker Has Home at New Museum

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What is the National Conservation Legacy Center?

The Center has been years, if not decades in the planning, and on Friday afternoon, ground will finally be broken on the state-of-the-art facility, which is focused entirely on telling the story of conservation in America.

"The mission of our organization is to share the history and stories of America's conservation legacy," explains Museum Executive Director Lisa Tate. "We are currently able to do that by collaborating with other museums. We have traveling exhibits, and we have virtual exhibits, but this will be a national destination museum that focuses on the conservation history of the United States."

Tate says it will be the "main and best teaching tool" to share the history, and future of conservation with residents of not only the Missoula region but travelers coming through the area.

A new addition to the Forest Service story

While the National Museum of Forest History has been successful in telling the story of the Forest Service, the new Conservation Legacy Center goes beyond that, showing how partnerships have led to the success of conservation efforts.

"We want to let people know and educate the public on all of the work that goes into conservation and how many different partners and organizations and government entities contribute to that mission," Tate tells me.

Groundbreaking Friday

Museum and community leaders will gather Friday afternoon, starting at 3 pm at the 31-acre campus to mark the beginning of construction of the timber frame building with contractor Dick Anderson Construction. The entrance to the campus is a mile west of the Missoula Montana Airport at 6305 Highway 10 West.