Big Sky Chronicles: Bert & Ernie's capturing the past

Sharing history can come in many forms and be captured in almost any place. Even through the decor of a local restaurant. Beartooth NBC takes us inside Bert & Ernie's for a look at how they're capturing the past.

"I would say there's upwards of 50 to 60 items in here of historic value primarily Helena but a lot of Montana history," says B&E Owner, Toby DeWolf.

"The community has been probably the most gracious giving us artifacts and different things that they have had and collected through the years," says DeWolf.

"I've got the two cornerstones of Marlow theatre which of course is a significant piece in Helena as far as rich history," says DeWolf.

"There are a lot of different conversation pieces for people because many people who grew up in Helena know that this was the globe and there are a lot of little pieces around here that they remember," says DeWolf. 

"The Wagon because I think it would be really neat to take it out on the street and see what it actually feels like to drive around," says Office Manager Lyra Powell.

"That wagon came from Hensdale Montana and it's an original Studabaker Wagon probably about 130 years old," says DeWolf.

"The horse is probably equally about 130 years old. To my knowledge it's very rare and there's only a few left in the United States that are even this shape," says DeWolf.

"We've got all the original and very first pictures of all the first high school football team, basketball team and cheerleading team which Helena High was the very first high school in the state of Montana," says DeWolf.

"The people that come in here I think that's one of the biggest things for people is they will come up to something and say I'm in that picture or that's my grandfather or something like that or this was my family's and that sticks out in a lot of my employees minds forever cause then they can go on and tell other people," says DeWolf.

Bert & Ernie's Owner Toby DeWolf says being able to play a significant role in preserving not only Helena's history, but also Montana's history, makes collecting that much more worthwhile.

Story by Drew Steele, Beartooth NBC.
Sponsored by Big Sky Plumbing & Heating of Helena.
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