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Bigfork Area Origins

BACC’s roots were built on creative expression. Over the years we have provided a connection from the community to its artists. Our goal is to create a place where members of the community can gather, create, learn and explore the vibrant region where we live.

2023 Flathead Maritime Archeology Project:  Check out our Video Link below for this amazing new project!

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The BACC Cultural Heritage Projects

A series of articles & short documentary files about little-known aspects of the history, culture, and characters of Bigfork and the Upper Flathead Valley

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Memory Lane

Long-time residents of the Bigfork area share memories and stories of their families and past events. These are the oral histories of this place and its people.

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A Montana Story

Gathering local histories, archives and sharing these stories & events that shaped our local area through our permanent Bigfork History Project.

Wagon Ride
Painting
Bigfork Book

Meet our Contributors

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Ed Gillenwater

Bigfork History Project Founder & Lead Researcher/editor

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Denny Kellog

Bigfork History Project Founder, Historical Lead, & Producer

Tabby Ivy

Tabby Ivy

Bigfork History Project Founder/producer

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Kyle Stetler

Bigfork History Project Research liason and Publication writer

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Kyren Zimmerman

Underwater/ Dive expert- History Project Activities

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Kyren Zimmerman

From Fiji and the Channel Islands to all around Montana, Zimmerman has performed underwater work for conservation agencies and universities.

Schoolhouse Corner

Founded in 1893, The Swan River School has been a beloved landmark in the Bigfork community for over 125 years. In the spring semester of 2018, the students of Mrs. Emslie’s 5th grade glass undertook a project to tell part of their school’s rich history, in the form of short video documentaries that they researched, wrote, shot, and edited themselves.

Schoolhouse

Bigfork Art / Cultural Center

We are an creative and educational hub in Bigfork that inspires people of all ages through a wide variety of workshops, lectures, and learning opportunities. BACC shares cultures through art and story stewardship. This is BACC’s way of bridging the connection between our past and the future we wish for our children, ourselves, and our world. As determined by the Internal Revenue Service Code, Bigfork Art and Cultural Center is a 501(c)3 organization, exempt from federal income tax. Bigfork Art and Cultural Center's tax identification number is 366212000. 

525 Electric Avenue
Bigfork, Montana

406.837.6927