The Senior Center has a rich and storied history with roots dating back to the ’60s.
We have been active in our current location on Higgins since 1976.
1966 Kathleen Walford shared her dream of establishing a Senior Center and met with the Missoula Human Resource Council. The minutes of that first meeting read: "and dreaming wildly, there will be a place where people can come in off the street to rest, to have fellowship and to attend meetings of interest to them."
1967 The State Council on Aging approved a project to start a senior center and after much searching, they found the Victoria Hotel at 424 N Higgins. Many volunteers and generous donations converted the decrepit hotel into a new center. The board resolved not to ask the public for money. Various projects provided the funds we needed.
1972-2018 A building purchased from Garden City Floral on N Higgins was utilized until 1976 at which time the current building was purchased. After remodeling, our space included office spaces, dining, snack bar areas, and restrooms. The maple dance floor from "Roller Fun" was handcrafted and installed by members. The downstairs contained the Bargain basement and pool tables.
2018-2023
Activities offered when the Center was established included cards, checkers, painting, and sewing classes. Currently, volunteers from within the Missoula Community and among our membership have added art classes and exercise classes. Outside organizations bring in dances at least once per month.
Volunteers who are willing to gather other volunteers and organize more activities receive the Board’s support when those ideas are well thought out and then presented to the board at our regularly scheduled board meetings, once per month.
Today the Center is still primarily self-funded and focuses on providing a place where people gather to share time, have fun, interact with each other, and volunteer. Members also provide necessary support for each other. The fellowship identified as part of the original goal is still very much a part of the Center. We share time, meals, laughter, and some tears with each other. The Center turns strangers into what becomes a caring family. We work on projects, enjoy each other's company, help each other, and support each other in times of crisis.
The Center functions with qualified executive staff and over 50,000 hours of volunteer work. Our dues are $25 annually and members can be any age, but voting members must be 50 or older.
In Just 2 short years, Missoula Seniors paid off their mortgage. We continue to be grateful recipients of the generosity of our Missoula community.
