Montana's DAR Markers . . . Honoring Where History Was Made

Mons Teigen, who built the school in 1914 and still owned the
building about donating it. He and his family agreed and deeded it to
the Julia Hancock Chapter. The chapter took on the project of getting
the school moved and repaired as a Bicentennial project. The chapter
opened the school each spring to local teachers to conduct model classes
in the same manner as taught at the turn of the century.
The school was moved to Central Montana Museum grounds in
Lewistown and dedicated on July 3, 1976. On that occasion, the first
teacher of the school, Miss Louise Smith (later Mrs. Bill Beedie) and
two pupils from the school’s first year, Amelia and John Luebke, were
present. Marion Vinge, a pupil who attended the school in its final year
of 1936, also participated in the 1976 ceremony.
From the beginning of the project, the chapter wanted to have a
bell on the building, so again they began a search. Tony Tuss offered a
bell if the chapter could install a tower in which to hang it. But, due to
lack of funds, this project was delayed for several years. Then, in spring
of 1983, Mr. Tuss agreed to build the tower, enlisting help from others.
He installed the bell in the tower and placed it upon the school roof.
For the September 17, 1983, dedication ceremony, Julia Hancock
Chapter Regent Mrs. Ramon Eatinger was mistress of ceremonies. The
program included brief talks by NSDAR Honorary Vice President
General Miss Marjorie Stevenson, Montana State Regent Mrs. Jess T.
Schwidde, and Honorary State Regent Miss E. Lorene Burks. Special
recognition was given to Mr. Tuss by Mrs. McVey and the official
dedication of the marker was made by Mrs. Eatinger.
At the time, the Teigen School was the only DAR-owned building
in Montana. It is included in Historic and Memorial Buildings of the
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