November 23, 2016
KBZK television news of Bozeman, Mont. began airing a comprehensive story about the 10-year renovation of University of Montana Western's Main Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016.
KBZK television news of Bozeman, Mont. began airing a comprehensive story about the 10-year renovation of the University of Montana Western’s Main Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016.
KBZK’s Chet Layman of Montana This Morning recently met with historical architect Ken Sievert to tour Main Hall. Sievert worked on the multi-year project and was able to provide Layman with in-depth detail about the 120-year old building.
The story includes details about Main Hall’s renovations over the years, including the most recent renovation of the old library, which is now a state-of-the-art model classroom. The library’s original ceiling and medallions were restored, and the mezzanine area was returned to its original configuration, which will serve as a student-teacher viewing area.
The model classroom was built to serve Montana Western’s Rural Fridays program, which brings elementary students from area rural schoolhouses to be taught by pre-service (student) teachers. The space also serves as a facility for university and community meetings, university courses, practice-teaching sessions and event receptions.
Originally named the Montana State Normal School, Montana Western began as the state’s teacher training institution in 1893, with the first class beginning in 1897.
The two-part story can be viewed here: Main Hall story part one and here Main Hall story part two.
— Montana Western —
