A challenge to preserve some Anaconda history

Before I address the challenge, some background is in order. Last week I received two separate cell phone calls that parallel each other as to some history of Anaconda.

On Thursday, Mike Knutson, a previous Algebra, Physics, Photography, etc. teacher at Anaconda High School, asked if I would help to coordinate the transporting and preservation of 92 bankers’ boxes of negatives that include family photos, graduations and sports, etc. The second call on Friday was an inquiry about historical sports pictures related to the mid-1970s. The two calls had an interesting connection and posed a challenge that would be beneficial to Anaconda’s history. How could I refuse?

Mr. Mike Knutson became a member of the Anaconda High School faculty in 1966 and taught Algebra and Geometry. The next year he started a Camera Club, which previously was known as the Projection Club. During the 1970-71 school year, he took an unpaid leave to work on his master’s in science. From 1971-76, Mr. Knutson continued teaching and oversaw the Camera Club, which had its darkroom in a janitor’s closet at the south end of the second floor. During the 1976-77 school year, Mr. Knutson took a paid sabbatical to attend MSU in Bozeman to study Photography and crossed paths with his former photography student, Mike McCullough.

Mr. Knutson would briefly teach Photography at the Junior High in 1977-78 and return the next year to teach Physics and oversee the Camera Club at AHS. In the early 1980s, Elmer Carosone asked Mike to teach a semester class on Photography. He oversaw a fundrasing activity to acquire the necessary equipment. The School District chipped in, along with the Vocational Department that renovated an awesome darkroom in the back of the Physics classroom. From 1984 to his retirement in 1991, Mr. Knutson continued teaching Physics, Earth Science and Photography.

Mr. Knutson remained in Anaconda until 2000 and opened a studio on East Park, in addition to Butte and Laurel. Later that year, Mike moved back to his home state of Minnesota. He has always felt he would like his commercial (now historic) negatives returned to Anaconda.

Now for the challenge. Mr. Knutson would like to get some help to return the commercial negatives and records. Although all the black and white Camera Club negatives remained at the high school, he has contacted some citizens who have expressed an interest in the challenge. I will follow up on his request. In addition, Mr. Knutson has pledged $200 to help with a project. He has a few other checks for $40 to assist. Funds raised could help return the negatives that include Seniors, Weddings, Proms, Homecoming, Sports, Band, etc.

Some options to this challenge could include: 1) To connect with a trucker that travels I-90 to Rochester, Minnesota and is empty on the way back to Anaconda. A diesel/stipend could be arranged. 2) A volunteer willing to pull a trailer for reasonable expenses could be an option. 3) Raised donations and transporting the negatives by other suggestions are welcome.

In any case, preserving Anaconda’s history should be the bottom line. We have an opportunity to preserve some photo history. I have helped promote much of Ralph Schmidt photo collection and look forward to helping a fellow teacher and friend.

Finally, Mr. Knutson told me of a few situations that he was able to replace some precious/lost photos. He has helped others and now it seems appropriate to help him return some history back to Anaconda.

J. Ray Haffey is the author of “Anaconda, Montana – Goosetown and West of Main.” He may be reached by email at j.ray1.2e@gmail.com.