News Releases
In the News
Newsletter
Featured Articles
Field Notes
Annual Reports
Multi-Media
Media Contact

Remembering Gary G. Brown
1933-2010

The National Museum of Forest Service History mourns the loss of Gary G. Brown who was a driving force for the creation of a museum to honor Forest Service history. As a long-time Missoula resident, a former Montana State Forester and president of the Museum from our founding in 1988 to 2002, Gary spearheaded the establishment of our organization and led the Museum through its formative years.

He guided us through the establishment of the Museum’s collection and archives that today includes more than 21,000 letters, photographs, journals, reports, maps and artifacts that range from uniforms to fire-fighting equipment. He worked with the Forest Service to select Missoula as the site of the Museum’s permanent home and joined with volunteers to reconstruct the historic Ranger Bungalow Ranger Station. He reached out to many organizations including the Society of American Foresters and the Retirees Association to build a corps of volunteers who are dedicated to passing on to future generations the stewardship responsibilities for the nation’s majestic forest and grasslands.

“Gary’s strong desire to see this Museum become a reality has carried us to where we are today with plans to build the National Conservation Legacy and Education Center,” said Gray Reynolds, current NMFSH Museum president. “Thanks to Gary’s vision and perseverance, he rallied people from across the nation to support building a national educational center dedicated to celebrating the rich history and conservation legacy of the U.S. Forest Service, its partners and cooperators. We have lost a dear friend and leader. May his memory continue to inspire us all.”

Make a gift to the Gary G. Brown Memorial Fund.