Spudfest raises money for loacl history museum

The Hot Springs Senior Center played host to the annual Spudfest on Sunday as a fundraiser for the LaRue-Hot Springs Museum. President of the LaRue-Hot Springs Museum Association ,Gail Patton, said the event raises money for the continued operation of the history museum just outside of the town.

Aptly named, the Spudfest featured baked potatoes, baked beans, salad and dessert for about 80 residents that attended. A silent auction followed including items donated from local businesses and residents such as books, flowers and oil changes among other things.

Patton said the catering was the result of a donation from Leslee Smith, owner of the Symes Hotel in Hot Springs. She and her staff also prepared and delivered the meal.

In its sixth year, Patton said the event will help the museum continue to achieve its stated purpose of “creating an environment to display artifacts from the Bitterroot Valley to the Camas Prairie and beyond.”

“We are interested in preserving the history of the area and this helps us accomplish that,” said Patton.

The museum, opened in June of 2008, sits on two acres donated by lifelong Hot Springs residents Harold and Betty LaRue who also contributed $80,000 for the construction of the facility.

The museum contains a wide assortment of historical pieces including old ranch equipment, Native American artifacts, and items from previous Hot Springs businesses. The museum will be open on weekends from noon until 5 p.m. starting in May. Entry to the museum is free of charge.