US Bank Trust and the Bair Museum 

Some in Martinsdale outraged at US Bank for closing the Charles M Bair Museum

Support the Bair - Shame on the Yellowstone Art Museum for being lured by U.S. Bank trustees to secretly plan an exhibit that would strip the Bair Museum of about fifty important artworks, photographs and artifacts....Why would anyone who cared about the state even think of doing something this shoddy to central, rural Montana? Helenair

It's unthinkable that the Billings US Bank, the trustees of the Bair Trust, would even consider the demise of the Bair Mansion. And it's certainly unpardonable Billings Gazette - Voice of the Reader

More support for Bair Museum - How can a $52 million trust (April 2001 figure) spending just $250,000 annually to run the museum be so hard-pressed that closing it is the only solution? Why, if money is so tight, did U.S. Bank turn down a recent offer from the Tenderfoot Foundation, including $2 million for the museum, which could have helped build an endowment? Of course, managing physical assets requires greater engagement by the trustees than would managing the cash if the museum’s contents were sold Billings News

And more Bair support Billings Outpost

Back Bair Museum The Bair Museum, located in Martinsdale, Meagher County, is one of a few remaining historic attractions available to draw tourists to rural Central Montana. In 2003, the Bair Musuem advisory board suspended operation of the Museum. In addition, the Museum Trustee, USBank, has taken the art work and Native American collection to put on display at the Yellowstone Art Museum. These actions have angered the residents of Meagher and Wheatland counties, who see the closure and dispersal of Bair artifacts and art as another contributor to the economic decline of central rural Montana Helenair

Bair Museum important - We encourage all other historical societies to support our heritage by joining in this appeal Billings Outpost

Save Bair Museum - The Bairs must have been aware of the benefit to the economy this museum would have. Now it's in the hands of people who are considering pulling the plug on this gift Helanair

Bair Museum shouldn't close - What is the role of U.S. Bank in these developments? Shouldn’t the bank where early Montana sheep rancher Charles M. Bair was a long-time director honor the wishes of his daughter, Alberta Bair, the last surviving member of this prominent Montana family? Queen City News

The closing has been highly controversial and has set off a virtual firestorm of criticism in the upper Musselshell River counties of Wheatland and Meagher and other areas of Montana. Letters and comments have appeared in Billings media and other areas of the state. US Bank is receiving and archiving written comments and letters. Concerns range from speculation that the collection is about to be pirated to Sotheby's to genuine concerns for loss of economic activity in the upper Musselshell Billings Gazette

Montana Museum's Future in Jeopardy Highbeam

Friends of Martinsdale, Mont., Museum Seek Intervention in Reopening Facility Highbeam

Support Friends of the Bair - Shame on US Bank for closing the museum in 2003; for forming a new trust in order to spend the Bair sisters’ dollars Billings Outpost

Bair museum advocates seek a quick resolution - The Friends of the Bair Museum and Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath, who has powers of enforcement of all charitable trusts in the state, have asked the judge to decide if the board abused its discretion in making its decision to close the museum Billings Gazette

Board's decision to close Bair Museum at issue in court Billings Gazette

Judge agrees to hear trust dispute over closed museum - John C. Crist, attorney for trustee US Bank and its five-member board of advisers, said he doubted the judge's ruling could be appealed. Jim Roscoe, a Billings steel executive and chairman of the advisory committee, said the trust "will be rigorously defended" Missoulian

Bair family ranch opens after 3-year closing - After a three-year hiatus, the Bair family ranch home in Martinsdale is open for visitors Billings Gazette

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