The non-profit that owns and maintains a historic Great Northern Railway depot in Whitefish, Mont., which is still used today by BNSF Railway and Amtrak, says the structure will soon need a new roof. The Stumptown Historical Society is currently raising funds to pay for that, along with other necessary improvements to the building. 

Finished in 1928, the Tudor-style building has been the headquarters for GN and later BNSF’s Montana Division for many years, and it’s also the busiest station for the Empire Builder in Montana. The building was designed to mimic Swiss-like architecture found in nearby Glacier National Park, part of GN’s effort in the early 20th century to encourage passengers to “See America First” (and ride their trains). 

The station was sold to the Stumptown Historical Society in 1990, but portions of it are still leased to the railroads. A museum was also opened in the early 1990s. While payments from BNSF and Amtrak have helped the nonprofit maintain the station over the years, Executive Director Jill Evans said rising costs now require them to seek community support. Earlier this year, the nonprofit hosted a “Sock Hop Fundraiser” to start its fundraising efforts. She anticipates more events in the future. Donations can be made on site or online at stumptownhistoricalsociety.org.

“This is about more than just replacing the roof,” she said. “This is also about building relationships with the community again to help us in the future … We want to get the town of Whitefish in our corner again.”

—Justin Franz