HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-25 Public Comment - E. Trygstad - Story Mill area_Idaho Mill area etc.From:Ellen Trygstad
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Story Mill area/Idaho Mill area etc.
Date:Friday, December 12, 2025 10:14:08 PM
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Hello -
I pass through this area daily. It is a unique area, positioned between the wetland lands to the south, and the historic
area of Story Mill adjacent to the recently developed park.
As the Bozeman region infills and changes, few areas are actual historic artifacts connecting people to the
agricultural beginnings of this locale. Old fences, railroad ties, trees, field areas, and of course, the Story Mill
buildings themselves, welcome reflection of times long gone. This area is absolutely unique and distinct from the
residential areas encroaching, large enough to make a statement, and vulnerable enough to vanish like most of the
rest of Bozeman’s history.
We have the Gallatin Historical Museum, and the Tinsley House, which help connect residents and visitors alike,
with crucial historical connections, but they are mostly urban and residential development, transportation, and
informative of accompanying economics. The history of our agricultural here is rich and instructive, and in need of a
more expansive and visual interactive impact on people of all ages.
This region should be turned over to the farmers of the region, with the challenge to work with local historians, and
provide children, visitors and residents a place to walk and explore, and engage in understanding of the skills and
ingenuity of farmers and craftspeople of our regions past. Whether a “living farm”, or interactive outdoor museum,
we have a unique opportunity to bring together science, ecology, economics, cultural farming practices, animals, and
the role of water in an educational and community engagement.
When I moved to Portland, Oregon in 1980, a horse or cow or community farm was within 5-10 minutes of nearly
every part of the city. Urban and rural were part of community experience. When we left in 1998, city government
was trying to figure out how to bridge the divide between urban and rural. Yet, what created the divide was the
type of urban development. Everything was infill. Breathing room for history and land and agriculture in small scale
was squeezed out.
We are making that mistake now in Bozeman, especially dangerous in a time of climate challenges and land losses,
and of threats to food sustainability (ironic for what was once a valley having some of the best agricultural soils).
Local people need to know about agriculture, and what our local farmers and gardeners are accomplishing, and need
to accomplish, as part of our economy, for long term food sustainability. We’re deluding ourselves if we don’t pay
attention to the acres lost daily.
Don’t sell off this area for another development. We are choking in developments. We need to facilitate both open
space, and education, especially about the history and importance of the variety of our agricultural efforts and our
farmers and gardeners.
There is a farming implement museum in northern MT. Wonderful, but so far away. What if they were willing to
contribute to a permanent display in a “living museum” “living farm” location? The Gallatin Historical Museum
has large collections of materials they might lend, and then, there are students in the MSU AG program, FFA, 4-H,
extension and farming families that would have many ideas to contribute for exhibits, for hands on experiences, for
ways to shape this area into a “community farm/museum/park”.
Here is a chance to bring the rural back to the urban, to further appreciation of farming, and to utilize an exceptional
and unique land in an optimal community way. One final thought - we have an aging population that has a wealth of
knowledge we are soon to lose with their passing unless they are interviewed and invited to write down and share
their stories and insights about farming and others aspects of agriculture.
Thank you,Ellen Trygstad