A century after its heyday, Butte, Montana remains rich in history, art and culture in the midst of the mountains and valleys of Southwest Montana. Butte is part of the largest National Historic Landmark District in the country, with thousands of historic structures still intact on the Hill. These include some of the country's first multi-story “skyscrapers,” elegant hotels, banks, boarding houses
and mansions, Victorian homes, and miner's cottages. A walk along any Butte street lined by these buildings makes it easy to imagine what it must have felt like to live here during the days when millionaires and miners alike built one of the West's greatest cities. Butte's wealth of attractions, like the ore beneath the surface, can remain hidden from anyone driving by on the Interstate highways that intersect at Butte. You may decide, as many have, that the greatest treasure here is the quality of life and decide to invest yourself in Butte's future. Since 1999, Mainstreet Uptown Butte, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, has been affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2000, the Butte Uptown Association merged with Mainstreet and decided to continue to have the organization represent the interests of Uptown small businesses. Mainstreet Uptown Butte relies on the input and support (through dues and volunteer efforts) of its members — 165 businesses, non-profits, and individuals with the common interest of wanting to see Uptown Butte thrive again. If businesses in the historic Heart of Butte zone remain viable, they will help preserve historic buildings by building on established community assets. This basic support is provided from four directions. Design—improve the physical appearance of streets, buildings, windows, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, and other elements that convey a visual message that Butte is a clean and safe place to visit, work, play and live. For example, Mainstreet plants flowers and sponsors clean up campaigns that remove litter and weeds. Promotion—broadcast Uptown Butte's most compelling qualities through retail and special promotional events, festivals, and projects to build positive perceptions of the district. With outreach to print and broadcast media throughout the year, Mainstreet sings the praises of Uptown Butte to audiences near and far. Mainstreet coordinates and organizes the Annual Butte Christmas Stroll, Ice Sculpting Contest, and the Butte Farmers’ Market in Uptown Butte. We also help to promote Butte’s annual Chinese New Year Parade, St. Patrick’s Day, Freedom Festival, Montana Folk Festival, Evel Knievel Days, and Montana Irish Festival (An Ri Ra). Organization—work closely with community stakeholders to improve communication and create a common pathway toward economic vitality. Economic Vitality—strengthen the local economy by helping small businesses to expand, nurture new businesses to complement existing businesses and work with property owners to convert unused commercial space into productive properties. Where Do We Go From Here? We have several projects planned for 2016. In design, we will continue to work to make Uptown streets cleaner, brighter and safer. In promotions, we are planning special events and retail promotions and providing support for community events planned by others. Thanks to the efforts of Mainstreet, in 2008-2010 Butte was the host city for the National Folk Festival. In 2011 this event made the transition to the Montana Folk Festival which will continue for a sixth year in 2016 with the leadership of Mainstreet Uptown Butte (see www.montanafolkfestival.com).
