National Museum of Forest Service History

Online

The National Museum of Forest Service History (NMFSH) is a non-profit, privately operated, nationally recognized museum organization located in Missoula, Montana. The museum's mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the entire national history of the USDA Forest Service for the education and enjoyment of the general public, scholars, and historical researchers.

The Permanent facility, when completed, will be open to the public year-round. It will provide a centralized national facility for archives, official and personal memorabilia portraying the entire scope of Forest Service activities, including research, State and Private Forestry, International Forestry, and the protection and management of the entire National Forest System.

The NMFSH Goals:

1) Build a Museum to serve as a headquarters for staff and volunteers working to preserve Forest Service history on a national scale.

2) Preserve Historical Objects & Documents — Expand the existing facility to a national repository for artifacts, records, publications, documents, and memorabilia relating to the history, programs, activities and culture of the Forest Service. All information is accessible.

3) Provide Conservation Education — Increase understanding of conservation past accomplishments and lessons learned. The Internet and traveling displays will be used to tell the history of conservation across the country.

4) Link with other Forest Service History Sites — The Museum will actively cooperate with other forest history sites across the country for the purpose of exchanging information, sharing artifacts and providing technical advice.

5) Honoring People — History comes alive through the experiences of people. Personal papers and biographies tell the history of conservation. We continue to accept donations to the Forest Service History Memorial. Individuals, living or deceased, and groups who have contributed to the mission of the Forest Service are eligible.