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Butte Archives
2005 Annual
Report
The Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives
P.O. Box 81
17 W. Quartz St.
Butte, MT 59703
(406) 782-3280
buttearchives@qwest.net
The Archives is open to the public Monday and Tuesday from 9 am to 5 pm and Wednesday morning from 9 am to 12 noon. We are closed from Wednesday at 12 noon through Friday.
Our Plans to Expand
The following is the executive summary of a Condition Summary
report by A&E Architects, PC of Missoula, Montana to restore
and expand the present location of the Archives. The report includes
recommendations for structural, mechanical and electrical modifications.
For a copy of the full report, please contact the Archives.
Executive
Summary
The Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives in Butte, Montana is housed
in the historic 1900 Butte Fire Department station house located
in the Butte-Anaconda National Landmark District. The building
underwent adaptive re-use in the 1980's to become, in 1981, the
home of the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives. The facility was
partially rehabilitated again in 1992. The facility consists
of two floors, with an approximate 6,000 square foot building
footprint or nearly 12,000 gross square feet of space. The facility
is located within the central business district of Butte, on
the north side of Quartz Street. Buildings east and west of the
Archives have been demolished and replaced with asphalt covered
parking lots. Three of the four fire house garage doors are in-filled
with framing and faux door designs; the remaining door remains
operational. All the garage doors face south onto Quartz Street.
Due to the steep slope of the site, the main building entry is
from the north, where an alley entrance door and associated ramp
provide direct access to the second floor. The building is listed
on the National Register of Historic Places and is an excellent
example of early fire hall architecture and design.
Generally, the Archives Building is only in fair condition and
in need of maintenance. Structural problems occur in the floor
structure evidenced by uneven floor levels on the second floor.
Mechanical systems provide heating to only the second floor of
the building, leaving the main floor, the location of the archival
stacks, unheated. While newly installed, the capacity of the
mechanical system is inadequate to heat the entire building.
Electrical, telecommunication, and security systems are antiquated
and non-code compliant. The building lacks proper code compliant
egress, ADA compliant access, and life and fire safety systems.
The facility is protected by a security system. There are no
mechanical ventilation systems in the building.
The historic building retains original wood and maple floors,
lath and plaster walls and ceilings, fire station characteristics
and accessories (bells, call system board, ladders, and clothing),
trim and base board, doors, windows, and other character-defining
architectural features which contribute to the historic character
of the building.
The Archives recently outgrew the building's current configuration,
and with planning and design, seek to increase the usability
of the existing building for archival storage, research areas,
and exhibit and office space. This condition assessment report
summarizes the building's inadequacies and presents a list of
recommendations for the preservation, restoration, and adaptive
re-use of the building and subsequent protection of the archives.
The proposed solutions align with the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating
Historic Buildings.
Recommendations:
1. Conduct / implement an Environmental Assessment Report for
lead base paint (LBP) and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
2. Proceed with architectural space planning with the goal of
maximizing the usability of the existing building, storage efficiency,
increase life and fire safety, provide code compliant exiting,
applicable ADA access, and ADA compliant elevator, stairs, and
restrooms.
3. Stabilize and repair, repoint, and seal exterior brick surfaces
and finishes.
4. Remove and replace existing wood windows and doors with energy
efficient wood windows and doors that match to historic conditions.
5. Prepare and paint interior and exterior painted surfaces;
refinish interior floor surfaces, install floor finishes applicable
to use of designated areas.
6. Coordinated architectural space planning with future expansion
of the building to include an auditorium, additional archival
storage, additional staff and research areas, and restrooms.
7. Proceed with structural analysis and enhancement of the building,
including seismic modifications and code compliant upgrades.
8. Remove and replace the existing roof to install a structural
diaphragm to the building, additional roof drainage, tapered
roof insulation, and roof gutters and downspouts, and reconstruction
of original skylights.
9. Replace existing mechanical system with a cost effective mechanical
system that includes heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning.
Ensure installed systems coordinate with a future building addition.
10. Replace existing electrical, telephone, and communications
systems with new systems, including installation of 3-phase service,
main and sub-panels, conductors, receptacles, lighting, telecommunications,
security, and life and fire safety. Ensure installed systems
coordinate with a future building addition.
11. Proceed with the design and installation of a wet mist fire
suppression system based on an acceptable architectural space
plan for the entire building and coordinated with future building
expansion.
12. Establish positive drainage around the building and account
for drainage at the alley foundation wall.
13. Develop a long-term maintenance plan for the building interior
and exterior.
