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!

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

Flathead Beacon Comment on FMAP

Flathead Lake is in the pilot phase of being “mapped” like never before, thanks to an ardent lakeshore resident with access to the world’s most state-of-the-art technology.

FB article

Bigfork HS students

High school students onboard Flathead Maritime Archaeology Project

Bigfork Eagle FMAP Article

2023 Flathead Maritime Archaeology Exploration Project

The Bigfork Art & Cultural Center, BACC, has undertaken the unique challenge to systematically chart and document the archaeological evidence of the journey of human history that lies beneath the Flathead Valley Waters.

2023 FMAP

August 2023 FMAP documentary preview

Produced by Edward Gillenwater, this video takes you through the history of our area from the perspective of the cultures that developed as a result of our wonderful Flathead waterways! Opening film from the NW History Museum Archives.

video produced by Edward Gillenwater

Maritime Mysteries of the Flathead THE KEE-O-MEE PART ONE from the Daily Interlake Podcast w/ Jeremy Weber

Maritime Mysteries of the Flathead

THE KEE-O-MEE PART ONE

Maritime Mysteries of the Flathead THE KEE-O-MEE PART ONE

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.

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Meet our Contributors

Ed Gillenwater

Bigfork History Project Founder & Lead Researcher/editor

Denny Kellog

Bigfork History Project Founder, Historical Lead, & Producer

Tabby Ivy

Bigfork History Project Founder/producer

Kyle Stetler

Bigfork History Project Research liason and Publication writer

Kyren Zimmerman

Underwater/ Dive expert- History Project Activities

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.

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