Unionville Community Collaborative
The restored Unionville Schoolhouse, white clapboard with green trim, among the pines

A 501(c)(3) non-profit

Preserving the story of Unionville

Our historic schoolhouse, our rich mining history, and the families who made this place home — past, present and future.

Support the Schoolhouse Explore the history

Our mission

Rooted in community, devoted to history

The Unionville Community formed a non-profit — Unionville Community Collaborative — that is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The specific purposes of the Unionville Community Collaborative are to preserve and educate on the historical significance of Unionville and surrounding area, including the historic schoolhouse, rich mining history, and collection of families past, present and future.

01

The Schoolhouse

Restoring and caring for the beloved schoolhouse that has anchored Unionville for generations.

02

Mining History

Documenting and sharing the mining heritage that built Unionville and the surrounding area.

03

Families & Stories

Gathering the stories, photos and records of Unionville families — past, present and future.

Volunteers with shovels and brooms in the snow in front of the schoolhouse
Volunteers at the schoolhouse on a snowy work day

Our biggest project

The Unionville Schoolhouse

Our biggest project, which is near completion, is the reinvigoration of the beloved and historic Unionville Schoolhouse.

The Unionville schoolhouse began its career as an office for Joshua C. “Pony” Ricker’s IXL Mining Company. Built in 1866 in nearby Park City, the building was sold to Unionville residents in 1872 and moved down the road to Unionville, where it served as the community’s schoolhouse until 1954.

The schoolhouse served as a community center, hosting dances and music, and served as a polling place.

  1. 1866Mine office

    Built in Park City as the office of Pony Ricker’s IXL Mining Company.

  2. 1872Moved to Unionville

    Sold to Unionville residents and moved down the road to become the schoolhouse.

  3. 1872–1954School & community center

    Classes, dances, music, gatherings and a local polling place.

  4. TodayRestoration

    Nearing completion through community effort.

From restoration to celebration

Volunteers on ladders fitting a large new multi-pane window into the schoolhouse wall
Volunteers installing a new schoolhouse window
Restoration volunteers of all ages enjoying ice cream bars beside sawhorses and lumber
The restoration crew takes a well-earned ice cream break
A large group of Unionville neighbors posing together in the Lewis and Clark County Commission chambers
Unionville neighbors at the Lewis and Clark County Commission
A crowd of neighbors gathered on the grass outside the restored schoolhouse and its bell cupola
Neighbors gather to celebrate the restored schoolhouse
The restored white schoolhouse with green trim and its new bell cupola, on a grassy hill among pines
The restored schoolhouse and its new bell cupola Photo: KTVH
Inside the schoolhouse: antique desks along a chalkboard reading Unionville Schoolhouse
Antique desks line the chalkboard inside Photo: KTVH
The schoolhouse outlined in holiday lights at dusk, with wreaths in the windows and a dusting of snow
The schoolhouse lit up for the holidays
Children playing with black puppies on the grass at a community gathering
Kids, puppies and neighbors at a summer gathering

Programs & events

Music, food & fellowship

The Unionville community has sponsored several wonderful events that included great music, wonderful food, and fellowship.

Neighbors relaxing on the lawn listening to a live bluegrass band on a summer evening
Live music on a summer evening
A packed room of neighbors watching two musicians with guitars perform under string lights
A full house for an evening concert
Kids and adults following a dance instructor across a wooden floor
Dancing together, all ages welcome

Upcoming

Oct17

Explore Montana: Hidden Helena Tour

Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 12:00–5:00 PM · Unionville Schoolhouse is a tour stop

The Unionville Schoolhouse joins Preserve Montana’s self-paced tour of more than a dozen historic residences, businesses and civic buildings around Helena. Guests use the Explore Montana app, with property ambassadors on site at each stop.

$35 general · $32 Preserve Montana members · Free for children 12 and under

Tickets & info at Preserve Montana →
TBA—

Schoolhouse Open House

Unionville Schoolhouse · Date to be announced

Celebrate the restoration with neighbors, tour the building and hear its stories.

TBA—

Community Gathering

Unionville · Date to be announced

Music, food and fellowship — the Unionville way.

TBA—

History & Family Stories Night

Unionville Schoolhouse · Date to be announced

Bring photos and memories to help us record Unionville’s families and mining past.

Want event announcements? Send us a note and we’ll add you to our list.

News

Unionville in the news

· Helena Independent Record

Community spirit: County updated on Unionville School renovations

At a Lewis and Clark County Commission meeting, heritage preservation officer Pam Attardo and volunteer Anna Baker shared progress on restoring the Unionville School. The foundation has been shored up, the building rewired, asbestos abated, and the north window wall and roof rebuilt. The site was graded for drainage, and access ramps were built from large granite blocks salvaged from the original Helena High School. A new cupola will protect the schoolhouse bell.

The work was supported by $110,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds through Lewis and Clark County and a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for Montana History.

“Trees that grow alone have to weather storms, insects, fire alone. In a grove of trees they protect one another and form communities.”— Anna Baker, to the County Commission
Read the full article at helenair.com →

More coverage

Leadership

Meet our board

  • Anna BakerChair
  • Wally JesterVice Chair
  • Michael JacobsonSecretary / Treasurer
  • Anne BlotkampMember
  • Chere JiustoMember
  • Kathryn WattersMember

Get involved

Help keep Unionville’s story alive

Donate

Your gift supports the schoolhouse restoration and our history work. Unionville Community Collaborative is a 501(c)(3); donations may be tax-deductible.

Make a gift

Volunteer

Lend a hand with restoration days, events, research and record-keeping. Every skill helps.

Volunteer with us

Share a story

Have photos, letters or memories of Unionville families, the school or the mines? We’d love to help preserve them.

Share your history

Contact & news

Get in touch

Questions, donations, volunteering, or a story to share — send us a message and a board member will get back to you.