Preserving the Heart of Virginia City Montana
We are a community-led initiative dedicated to safeguarding Virginia City’s storied heritage and supporting the local businesses that form the heart of our town.
Currently, the Montana Heritage Commission and the Montana Department of Commerce are threatening this legacy by imposing lease increases on certain businesses. This made them only attainable to large corporations and big business. We believe Virginia City should remain run by the locals who cherish our community and have preserved its history for generations.
Virginia City's slogan is "resisting change since 1863." When everything is changing around us this is the once place that should remain unchanged. You can help us preserve this special place.
Preserving our shared heritage
Virginia City stands as a living testament to the Montana gold rush era, a place where history resonates through every weathered timber and wooden boardwalk. Today, we face the dual challenge of protecting these historic structures while supporting a vibrant, modern community. Our heritage is not just in the past; it is the foundation for our future preservation efforts.
A Heritage at Risk:
The Current Crisis
Lease Changes
The Montana Department of Commerce along with the Montana Heritage Commission dropped the leases of all concierges in December. Offering the leases back at such an inflated price 4 of those businesses could not afford the new lease contracts.
History Lost
Losing these businesses means losing a vital piece of our history. The Opera House, Bob’s Place, The Star Restaurant and Bakery, and The Fargo are more than just local staples; they are the living heartbeat of Virginia City, now being forced out by the (MHC) and (DOC.)
"The echoes of the gold rush still hum in these hills, a reminder that heritage is the grit of our collective soul."
— Clara Henderson, 3rd Generation Resident
"We are the temporary stewards of a timeless legacy; our silence today would be the town's final closure."
— David Miller, Preservationist Volunteer
PRESERVING OUR PAST FOR MONTANA'S FUTURE — SAVE VIRGINIA CITY — PROTECT THE TERRITORIAL CAPITAL — HISTORY IN EVERY STEP — JOIN THE PRESERVATION MOVEMENT — THE HEART OF THE GULCH —