2013 Board of Directors
Mike Nelson, President
Greg Matthews, Past President
Nate Allie, Vice President
Jared Maloney, Treasurer
Lue Ponich, Secretary
Alan Anseth
Diane Cross
Luci Cross
Joni Harman
Mike Matthew
Shari Nault
Don Olsen
Brent Sumner
Liz Varela
Gayle West
Representatives
Kendra Bruget.............................................................. Collections
Jim Foley............... Billings Preservation Society Endowment Trust
Stacey Jacobs ....................... Moss Grounds & Master Gardeners
Lora Mattox............................................................ City of Billings
Jennifer Mercer................................................Billings Depot, Inc.
Lue Ponich..................................... Mattie’s at the Moss Gift Shop
Staff
Jenna Richter................................................... Executive Director
Cal Beauregard..................................................Facilities Manager
Kelsey Palmer........................................................ Event Manager
Jennifer Teichert................................................ Event Coordinator
Sue Robinson............................................ Volunteer Coordinator
Kim Bar.......................................................................Accountant
Michaela Shifley.................. Rocky Mountain College Work Study
Mitch Lagge......................... Rocky Mountain College Work Study
President’s Letter
I am happy to report that the state of the Billings Preservation Society is sound!
We just finished what the board labelled as “one last hard year”, putting in
place systems that will ensure the financial well-being of the Society and the
Moss Mansion. We expect the coming year to be a continuation of these efforts,
along with the beginnings of a concerted donor development effort.
Assertive financial goals and a great business plan awaits us in the coming year.
Due to the hard work of the Moss staff, our many volunteers, and because of the
dedication and forward thinking of our directors, we feel more confident and
enthusiastic about our future as ever!
I am pleased to report that our board has adopted plans and budgets that will
continue the push of the past few years. We’ll further ensure the financial
stability of the Billings Preservation Society, preserve the physical structure of
the mansion, and move to encourage a larger more youthful presence in our
members on our board. We think we’re going to do that by making preservation
“cool”.
The Moss Mansion symbolizes the place and ideals from which we came.
Throughout the past 110 years of change, the Moss has remained in a great part
as it was when the doors opened in July of 1903. The Moss family helped to
pave the way for Billings to become the vibrant and growing city that it is today.
Through the safeguarding of the Moss Mansion, and by attracting people to
the events on the grounds,
preservation of the symbols
of our past will become
more common, more
important and hopefully
much cooler!
Mike Nelson
President
2013 Memberships
Endowment
Royal Johnson
Founders
Alan and Suzanne Bressler
Pat Morledge
Benefactor
Joy and Gene Culver
Ralph and Tancy Spence
Larry and Shelley Van Atta
Patron
Shirley Fisher
Steve and Bronwyn Hammond
Al and Connye Hartman
Randy and Debbie Reger
Joseph S. Sample
Tom and Ruth Towe
Brock and Kathy Whittenberger
Ronald and Amy Yates
Seniors
Linda Buckingham
Dorothy McLaughlin
Elizabeth Melius
Patti Miller
Shari Nault
Arlene Priest
Manya L. White
Preservationist
Family
Dr. Hewes and Susan Agnew
Nate and Janna Allie
Alan D. and Sandi Anseth
Bill and Nancy Boyer
Rockwood Brown
Don and Marilyn Castleman
Richard John Cicero
Dr. Patrick and Mrs. Carla Cobb
Ted and Diane Cross
Don and Marilyn Floberg
Cindy Walter and Jim Foley
Angus and Marjorie Fulton
Jim and Peggy Good
DarLyn Harris
Rita Heizer
David and Judy Johnson
Dave and Elaine Kinnard
Lawrence and Karen Klee
Ken and Barb Kosovich
Sharon Lincoln
Kay Foster and Mike Mathew
Greg and Missie Matthews
Rod and Vicki Michael
Eileen Orser
Ossie Abrams and David Orser
Jon and Kathy Pierce
Emil and Lue Ponich
Rinnie Ruiz
Steve and Kathie Shandera
Stephen Haraden and
Linda Shelhamer
Emma Jean Stevenson
Jack and DeeDee Thomas
Jim and Linda Thompson
Bob and Gail Waller
Jock and Gayle West
Donald and Judy Allen
Bill and Jean Bradford
Tom and Carol Bradford
Roy and Kim Brown
Steve and Lucinda Butler
Jim and Josie Chalmers
William and Vickie Coffee
John and Shirley Collins
Shane and Gina Colton
Jim and Virginia Court
Frank and Kathy Cross
Bill and Colette Davies
Bob and Shari Dayton
Walter and Carol Degnan
Ida Degraffenreid
Dennis and Jennifer Deppmeier
James and Cynthia Finch
Harry and Mary Gottwals
Phillip and Barbara Griffin
Steve and Joni Harman
Bob and Linda Harris
Ray and Agnes Havig
Randy and Stacey Jacobs
Dan and Susan Jurovich
Gaye Kaiser
Dr. David and Mrs. Marilyn Klein
Bob McClure and Pam Lowe
Larry and Joyce Mayer
Donald and Robyn McCabe
Patty Nelson
Judy Povilaitis and Mike Nelson
John and Vida Polling
Jack and Patricia Rehberg
Joe and Judy Rich
Franklin and Peggy Robbie
Sig and Bev Ross
2013 Memberships
Dennis and Deanna Rudolph
Curt and Sue Schelle
Mike and Chris Schmechel
Rebecca W. Shepard
Bob and Sandy Short
Richard Sims
Mark and Teri Smith
Paul Matt and Penny Strong
Jim and Joyce Tollefson
Chuck and Joan Tooley
Patti S. Townsend
Richard and Patricia Vettell-Becker
Jim and Kerry Vincent
Ed and Pat West
Paul and Betty Whiting
Tom and Peg Wickliffe
Bryan and Mamie Wilson
John and Cynthia Woods
Frank and Dodie Zweifel
Individual
Greg and Thora Aldrich
Alsa Photography
Kim Bar
Tamara Bauer
Kathy Boston
Kendra K. Bruget
Marion Cain
Kris Carpenter
Joe Chenoweth
Judy Cigler
Levi Cook
Debra Court
Luci Cross
Julie Dial
Sherri Eastman
Ann Evans
Karen Ferguson
John and Pat Foote
Donna M. Forbes
Martha Godwin
Virginia Green
Donna Groepler
Marilyn Haddenhorst
Randy Hafer
Ann Hafer
Betty Hanstrom
Pete and Dottie Hilger
Cathy Holloway
Jan Jahr
Kathleen S. Jelle
Adonna Kimmel
Susan King
L.M. Minich and Denise King
Ethel Kniss
Mary Ann Kostkas
Anne Lambrecht
Wendy Lane
Marilynn Laughery
Bartie Lebsock
Andrea H. Long
Susan Lovely
Paulette Mallow
Lowene McNeese
Joan Michael
Sheri Moffet
Diane Noddings
June Pierce
Jane Reger
Harriet Sallee
Mike and Barbara Sample
Sarah Schweitzer
Kimberly Shelton
Nancy Shepard
Mrs. Dean G. Shultis
Cindy Lou Smith
Don and Susan Sommerfield
Nelta Taylor
Linda Traver
Gretchen Wagner
Phoebe Knapp Warren
Virginia Wicks
Betty A. Wolff
Chuck and Julie Wyman
Sandra T. Wyman
Pat Young
Richard Zimmerman
Volunteer
Sharon Adler
Andrea Ayers
Dorothy Cloepfil
Ruth B. Drummond
Geri Dunbar
Dorothy Anne Gray
Lea Koerner
Ted and Diane Kylander
Brian Longenecker
Joyce Platzkow
Dorothy Podoll
Doug and Paula Poehls
John and Laura Ross
Katherine Snapp
Janice Soft
Enid Stube
Fern Vonderheide
Special Events
Heritage Home Tour
Chair:
Shari Nault
The 2013 Heritage Home Tour featured fve incredible homes located on Highland Park Drive, Poly Drive,
Virginia Lane, and North 32nd Street. A little rain never hurt anybody and it certainly didn’t stop us from
having a phenomenal turnout. Many thanks are due to the sponsors and volunteers who helped us raise
$15,272.
Presenting Sponsor - Kibler & Kirch
Restoration Sponsors - Fisher Construction, Inc.
Moulton Bellingham
Sponsors - Billings Nursery & Landscaping
Bruco
Gainan’s
Northern Hotel
Payne Financial Group
The Fieldhouse
West Law Firm
Downton Abbey Event
SpringFest
Chair: Stacey Jacobs
Committee Leaders: Pam Nelson
Nancy Smith
Lowene McNeese
Nelta Taylor
Leister Neeley
Donna Groepler
Kathy James
Nancy Rigg
Susan Schwidde
Nicki Maier
Debbie Court
Cherie Caverly
Deb Mattern
Heather Kaiser
Sherry Moore
Vicki Michael
Val Hinkle
Virginia Wicks
Bronwyn Hammond
Rita Solem
Janet Stevenson
Lue Ponich
Jared Maloney
Brent Sumner
Lennis Ryan
Ashley Harada
Amanda Lambott
Kyle Neary
Joan McNally
Spring Fest is held on the Moss grounds the first Saturday of every June and is the perfect way to welcome
warmer weather and kick off the summer fun. A juried event, Spring Fest features artists from Montana
and Wyoming displaying creative high-quality arts and crafts. It’s a day full of live music, children’s activities, artist demonstrations, entertainment and food. This year we had over 4,000 visitors attending and we
raised $20,963.
This event would not be possible without the volunteers who manage each booth and an army of helpers
to set everything up. We are incredibly grateful for their hard work and enthusiasm which helps make
SpringFest a success year after year.
Special Events
Party for Preservation
Chairs: Jim Foley and Mike Nelson
Committee Leaders: Duncan Peete, Lue Ponich, Jenna Richter
The Party for Preservation is a joint fundraiser between the Billings Preservation
Society Board and Billings Preservation
Society Endowment Trust and is held on
the Moss grounds in early September.
This year, guests were treated to live music from Ed, Pete, and Dennis and enjoyed food prepared by Thomas Nelson
Catering. Drinks and laughs were served
with every meal as our 2013 celebrity
waiters competed for tips. This year’s
winner was none other than Livin’ Large
Larry. The 2nd annual Party for Preservation was a huge success and generated $71,739. This is going to be a tradition that gets bigger and better
each year.
We would like to give a special thanks to our celebrity waiters. Their
bold and exciting performances greatly enhanced the evening and
culminated in a huge fundraising success. We couldn’t have done it
without them!
Celebrity Waiters:
Rick Burt...............................NorthWestern Energy
Luci Cross.................... A-Line Drafting and Design
Colin Dow........................... St. Vincent Healthcare
Jeff Ewalt...........................................Zoo Montana
Spencer Frederick...........................Stockman Bank
Mayor Tom Hanel
Lane Huffman.........................Langlas & Associates
Bill Kennedy........................ County Commissioner
Diane Kylander................................... Comedienne
and Billings Studio Theatre
Ben Ripley....... MT Restaurant & Retail Association
Mark Lanctot................................................. Sysco
Ben Ripley....... MT Restaurant & Retail Association
Shawn Samuelson............. Mountain West Benefits
Corby Skinner................................... Writer’s Voice
Chef Eric Stenberg.......................... Northern Hotel
Jim Walker....................................Western Security
Keri Wilson............ Billings Chamber of Commerce
“Livin’ Large” Larry Wilson.............. Newstalk 95.5
Sharon Weatherwax-Ripley.................. Easter Seals
Party for Preservation Sponsors & Supporters:
First Interstate Bank
Foley Group
Gallery Interiors
Montague’s Jewelry
Northern Hotel
NorthWestern Energy
O2 Architects
Payne West Insurance
Sysco
Special Events
Check Presentation from
Clark Marten Photography
Library Summer Reading Program
2013 Halloween Season
Chair: Nate Allie
Twilight Tour “Set Designer” and Script Writers:
Cal Beauregard and Joedi Johnson
This year’s Circus of Terror, housed on the Moss Mansion grounds, did not disappoint! Guests brave
enough to enter traveled through a maze of spooky circus attractions where they encountered sideshow
spectacles, mischievous carnies, a gigantic spider web and killer clowns. Conceived, designed, organized,
and staffed by volunteers, the Circus of Terror was a hit for all who dared visit the Moss. Thank you to many
volunteers from Billings Senior High School, Central High School, and Skyview High School who dressed
up each night to deliver thrills and chills!
Back by popular demand, the Moss Mansion opened its doors for special Twilight Tours. Guests experienced
the mansion in the darkness of night…shadows, flickering lights,
creaky steps and all…while guides (and ghosts!) related stories of
fear through the years. Combined, these two popular events raised a
record breaking Halloween total of $17,055!
Special Events
2013 Holiday Season
Talented staff and volunteers from a variety of organizations worked their
magic to transform the Moss into a Fairytale Christmas. For their holiday
spirit, creativity, and so much more, we are extremely grateful!
Thanks also to our amazing team of elves, aka Moss Mansion volunteers,
who hosted over 2,200 tour guests, supported fundraising events, and
added much merriment to the season!
Congratulations to the Winners:
Billings Family YMCA, winner of the 2013 People’s Choice Award
Eagle Mount, winner of the Best Theme Interpretation Award
2013 Christmas Tree Decorators:
A Christmas to Remember .................................. “Catch the Gingerbread Man for Christmas”
Billings Family YMCA.......“Beauty and the Beast”
Boy Scouts Pack 318..................“Shrek the Halls”
Catholic Home School... “The Gingerbread Man”
Community Day Care.................. “Wizard of Oz”
Geri Dunbar..... “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”
Eagle Mount...........................“Heaven’s Garden”
from H.C. Anderson’s “The Angel”
Girl Scouts.....................“Little Red Riding Hood”
Moss Mansion Volunteers................. “Cinderella”
Northern Hotel..................... “A Holiday Garden”
Rimrock Foundation............“Once Upon a Time”
Special K Ranch..............“A Woodland Fairytale”
Thumb R Green Garden Club.“The Little Tin Soldier”
United Blood Services............ “A Disney Princess
Christmas”
Yellowstone AIDS Project.....“The Emperor’s New
Clothes”
Zoo Montana.............. “Legend of the Guardians”
Candlelight Tours
Taking a Candlelight Tour at the Moss is a unique and wonderful way to spend a December
evening! This year guests were welcomed by friendly volunteers and enjoyed a guided tour of the
Moss Mansion and a night-time view of twinkling Christmas trees in every room. Following the
tour, guests were invited to relax in the Music Room with drinks, dessert (our delicious sipping
chocolate sold in the Gift Shop), and live music. Thank you to the many musicians who filled the
halls with merriment and provided a memorable
experience for all.
Holiday Season
Musical Entertainment
Women at the Well
Sweet Adeline’s
Cathy & Gayle Violin Duets
Con Spiritu
Shawn Rasch & Men’s Quartet
Other Activities
Memorial Day
2013 Summer Exhibit
Building
Gift Shop
Wall
July Tea Party
Volunteer Training
Concert in the Music Room
Preservation News
2013 Billings Preservation Society Endowment Trust
Society Endowment Board
Jim Foley, Chair
Joy Culver
Greg Matthews
Mike Mathew
Duncan Peete
Lue Ponich
Ruth Towe
Mike Nelson
Endowment Supporters
Sheila Christopherson
Debbie Court
Gene and Joy Culver
James and Berte Heath
Mary Ann Kostkas
James and Judy McNally
Lue Ponich
Susan Schwidde
Jody Ellis Smith
Donna Sweeney
Carlene Taubert
Ruth Towe
Gail Waller
Amy Wells
First floor hardwood,
refinished January 2014
Endowment Trust Account
Beginning Account Value:
January 1, 2013
$405,690.99
Deposits
$15,700.00
Withdrawals
$15,630.96
Taxable Income
$18,219.16
Change in Asset Value $31,293.42
Ending Account Value:
December 31, 2013
$455,272.61
Moss Mansion Volunteers in Preservation
ChristiArnold
Teresa and
Russ Bessette
Cheryl Blaquiere
Kathy Boston
Kallie Bradley
Linda Broderson
Kendra Bruget
Alicia Bryner
Carol & Bill Callahan
Ellen Carlson
Cherie Caverly
Pamm Conder
Charlotte Cortez
Jim Court
Terah Cronk
Tianna Cronk
Geri Dunbar
Teresa Firth
Dorothy Ann Gray
Mathew Goodrich
Cathy Holloway
Joedi Johnson
Linda Johnson
Ethel Kniss
Mary Kroll
Ellen Kuntz
Ted and
Diane Kylander
Mitch Lagge
Rich Lagge
Jody Lamp
Allanda Lattin
Rietta Malsom
Katarina Manhart
Marlene McCave
Joan Michael
Patti Miller
Sheri Moffit
Grace Nelson
Jill Palmer
Mackenzie Palmer
Lue Ponich
Cheryl Prophet
Betty Radatz
Sue E. Robinson
Kathleen Sedgwick
Nancy Shapard
Michaela Shifley
Sandy Short
Stephanie Snapp
Janice Soft
Robin Stetzner
Rebeca Strong
Enid Stube
Karen Tooker
Alicia Torgerson
Ruth Towe
Morgan Tuss
Wanda VerBeck
Siobhan Warmer
Xela Warmer
Karen Wegner
Isabella Whitworth
Paloma Whitworth
SophiaWhitworth
Virginia Wicks
Pat Young
Gift Shop Volunteers
Lue Ponich, Chair
Debbie Court
Ethel Kniss
Joan Michael
Marion Cain
Pamm Condor
Pat Young
Sheri Moffet
Computer Expert Extraordinaire
Amy Cantrell
Master Gardeners
Stacey Jacobs, Chair
Lori Anderson
Pam Before
Teresa Bessette
Mary Ellen Capser
Luanne Engh
Doreen Gates
Vi Hills
Sharon Hogan Joanie Kalberg
Sheri Kisch
Barb Kosovich
Pat Laufmann
Kathy Manders
Joan McNally
Judy Miller
Roberta Olson
Denise Price
Melissa Rehm
Susan Rickett
Steve Shandera
Sharon Simon
Chris Smith
Carolyn Swenson
Ruth Towe
Diane Whalen
Museum Archives & Collections
Amanda Moore
Brittany Vitovich
Karen Wegner
Kendra Bruget
Levi Cook
Patti Miller
2013 Honorees
Joy Culver
Joy Culver’s quiet confidence and financial acumen have been a cornerstone in the mission
of the Billings Preservation Society since its beginning and even before it became an official
entity. Working with several local architects who shared an interest in the preservation of
historic buildings, Joy drafted the financial “package” that made possible the acquisition
and saving of the Moss Mansion. Joy served several terms as President of the new BPS Board
and, with characteristic modesty, remembers the “people of Billings” who joined in the hard
work of fundraising, meeting with politicians, writing newspaper articles, lobbying the State
and the City of Billings, and all that was necessary to acquire and preserve this community
treasure. Joy organized Preservation Workshops to educate property owners regarding the
tax benefits in preserving historic buildings.
Now serving as a Trustee of the BPS Endowment, Joy’s generosity and wisdom continue
to be an asset to our organization
A diminutive dynamo in the form of Dee Dee Thomas first joined the
Billings Preservation Society Board of Directors in 1994, serving as
its President two years later and then as a Trustee of its Endowment.
Throughout her tenure and for many years afterward, Dee Dee’s sparkling personality and infectious energy led projects and fundraising to
new levels of success in preserving the Moss Mansion and its grounds
for future generations. Dee Dee’s crowning achievement was co-chairing the successful drive to fund a two year long project:
Jack Thomas provided faithful and willing support to Dee Dee’s Moss
Mansion projects, from set-up and take-down for the seemingly endless
number of fundraisers, to providing his considerable legal expertise on
DeeDee and Jack Thomas
a variety of issues, including a complicated property dispute that temporarily halted the construction of the Visitor Pavilion. Since the Thomas
home is located near the Moss Mansion, Jack and Dee Dee agreed to be on the call list for Kenco Security—
and Jack was known to have made a number of trips to the Moss in the middle of the night! In later years, Jack
served in an official capacity on the BPS Board of Directors Executive Committee. The wonderful twinkle in
his eye and his warm demeanor have made his friendship with the Moss of inestimable value.
For fifteen years, the public face of the Moss Mansion in the Billings community belonged to Ruth Towe, Executive Director par excellence of the Billings Preservation
Society. Ruth began her official position in 1988 and, working from a professional museum assessment, developed and prioritized a checklist of restoration work. This served
as a blueprint for Ruth’s indefatigable oversight and initiation of the complete restoration of the interior, the exterior, the conservatory, and the grounds. Since each project
required funding, Ruth became legendary in her ability to find and acquire grants to
allow forward progress. Her ability to share her vision with others inspired countless
volunteers, many of them professionals, to join in reclaiming this crown jewel of our
city. Her background in journalism and marketing served her well in making the Moss
Mansion a destination for visitors.
Ruth Towe
Ruth left a legacy that is epic in proportion. By the time she retired in 2003, she
had completed every major project on her checklist—and a few more, including the
Visitor Pavilion and the Driveway now named in her honor. Ruth’s “ethic for preservation” extended to the
restoration of the Billings Depot, serving on that board from its formation in 1996 until the restoration was
completed in 2003.
Community Partners
Ajax Foundation
Crowley Fleck
CTA Architects & Engineers
First Interstate Bank
Montague’s
Moulton Bellingham PC
NorthWestern Energy
Phillips 66
PPL Montana
Stockman Bank
Sysco
Yellowstone Electric Company
Corporate Award
Presented to:
AD Creative
For infusing new life to the Moss Mansion with the introduction of new
branding, logo and website.
Volunteer Service Award
Presented to:
Kendra Bruget and Patti Miller
For their outstanding work in maintaining the
Moss Mansion’s collection and archives and
sharing it with the world through
beautifully fashioned exhibits.
Bernie Nelson Service Award
Presented to:
Mike Nelson
Whose generosity of spirit, devotion of time, and commitment to preservation
has made a lasting and historical impact on the Moss Mansion.
Financials
Statements of Financial Position December 31, 2013 and 2012
Assets
Checking / Savings
Accounts Receivable
Other Current Assests
Cash on Hand
Undeposited Funds
Inventory – Gift Shop
Total Current Assets
Property & Equipment
Accumulated Depreciation*
Buildings**
Furniture and Fixtures
Other Assets
Total Assets
Liabilities & Equity
Accounts Payable
Payroll Liabilities
Other Liabilities
Total Current Liabilities
Equity
Unrestricted Net Assets
Net Income
Total Equity
Total Liabilities & Equity
2013
2012
35,238.14
8385.99
33,311.91
1,595.00
500.00
0.00
19,375.74
$63,499.87
500.00
0.00
19,375.74
$54,782.65
(422,160.59)
863,286.69
540.00
300.00
$505,465.97
(390,597.53)
863,286.69
540.00
200.00
$528,211.81
3,221.76
6,656.28
0.00
$9,878.04
2,424.25
4,087.73
205.00
$6,716.98
520,619.83
(5,402.93)
515,216.90
$505,465.97
530,913.76
21,974.26
552,888.02
$528,211.81
*Depreciation expenses for 2013 total $31,393.19.
**The Moss Mansion is owned by the City of Billings (38.5%) and the State of Montana
(61.5%).
Moss Mansion Room Underwriters
Eide Bailly
NorthWestern Energy
2013 in Summary
63 volunteers donated
4,435 hours of their time to the Moss Mansion.
6,944 people visited
the Moss Mansion in 2013, of which,
925 of them were elementary
students on a school tour.
7,932 people attended a
Moss Mansion fundraising event.
Financial Summary
Revenues
Fundraiser Revenue
Donor Revenue
Corporate
Foundations
Individuals
Facility Rentals
Gift Shop Contributions
Grants
Membership
Tour Revenue
Room Sponsorship
Miscellaneous Revenue
Total Revenue
Expenses
Fundraiser Expenses
Management & General
Total Expenses
Net Revenue End of Year
Total
140,259.12
8,215.00
2,500.00
7,672.47
30,691.00
5,000.00
5,000.00
6,375.00
47,124.55
5,100.00
201.54
258,138.68
58,157.53
205,384.08
263,541.61
$(5,402.93)
Totals include the purchase of a new event tent, event supplies
and an investment in staffing.