Help Us Preserve a Montana Masterpiece!

Montana history just got a whole lot bigger at the Holt Heritage Center. Legendary Montana artist Les Peters captured the untamed spirit of our heritage in a breathtaking, jaw-dropping oil painting that spans an incredible 87 feet. Completed in 1955 for the Florence Hotel's iconic Bitterroot Room, this masterpiece beautifully depicts the abundance of undisturbed wildlife and pristine landscapes of the Bitterroot Range. After spending decades stewarding Missoula's history on the walls of the airport terminal, this historic treasure officially found its new permanent home here at the Holt Heritage Center when it was generously donated on April 14, 2026.

But a frontier treasure this big needs a little "trail maintenance" before we can share it with the world.

What We Are Raising Money For

We are launching this campaign to raise $10,000 to ready this incredible mural for its next chapter and safely display it to the public. Decades of display and transit mean we must invest in its long-term preservation. Your 100% tax-deductible contribution will directly fund two critical objectives:

1. Restore the Magic: Decades of exposure and wear require meticulous, careful restoration work to bring the oil paint and massive panels back to pristine, gallery-quality condition.

2. Build the Display Foundation: We must construct custom, heavy-duty moveable stands so these massive 6-foot by 10-foot panels can be safely supported, displayed, and enjoyed by visitors of all generations.

How You Can Help

Every dollar brings us closer to putting this piece of Montana's soul back on display. You can back this project in a few ways:

Thank you for helping us protect our shared history and keep the untamed spirit of Montana alive!