Winner of the 16th Annual Paris Gibson Award

DATE:             June 19, 2025

CONTACT:     Megan Sanford, Paris Gibson Committee – 406-452-3462

Winner of the 16^th Annual Paris Gibson Award - Jane Weber

           Great Falls, Montana – For more than three decades, Jane Weber has dedicated herself to volunteer and professional activities. Jane has significantly contributed to the preservation of Great Falls’ history and to the ongoing improvements of Great Falls residents’ quality of life.

            In the early 1990s, Jane was appointed as the liaison between the Lewis and Clark Forest Service and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Fund, Inc. (Fund Inc.). The Fund Inc. was emerging as a committee for building a world class interpretive facility along the Missouri River dedicated to the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Expedition. The goal was to have the facility completed by the 2004 Bicentennial of the Expedition’s passage through the Great Falls area. Due to Jane’s hundreds of volunteer hours, leadership, resources, and motivation provided to the group, she became the element that guided everyone through many challenges to see the project to completion, with the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center opening on May 3, 1998.

            Jane’s work with the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center didn’t end once the Center opened, but her contribution continued, as she would go on to become the first Director of the Center. Jane did whatever was necessary to insure the success of the Center, such as working to develop interactive programs for visitors and children, working with volunteers, and garnishing funding for programs. By the time she retired from her position in 2010, she had become a true inspiration to both staff and volunteers of the Center.

            After Jane retired, she found a new way to continue her commitment to the residents of Great Falls and the surrounding area. Jane was elected to serve two terms as a Cascade County Commissioner. During her time as a Commissioner, Jane enjoyed working conscientiously to improve the quality of life for all County residents, being instrumental in the replacement project of the failed County Courthouse roof, the removal of lead-based paint and asbestos in the old jail, and in establishing a superfund site in Black Eagle to erase the toxic impacts of a hundred years of mining.

            Jane also serves as the Chair of the Big Sky Country National Heritage Area Committee. This committee was founded in 2015 as the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Members are dedicated to ensuring all the historic stories of Central Montana are preserved for generations to come. Her contributions to the committee brought the Montana History Conference to Great Falls for its September 2024 meeting. More than 300 attended and enjoyed local amenities and the history Great Falls has to offer.

            “Jane Weber, too, has recognized the city’s potential and has spent many years making good on its unfolding possibility.  Her work and dedication make her most worthy to receive the Paris Gibson Award 2024”. ~ Patricia Kercher, Nominator

            To be eligible for the award, selected by previous Paris Gibson Award winners, a nominee must meet the following criteria: currently a resident of Great Falls; provided significant impact to the City of Great Falls; provided leadership for the community through volunteerism; and performed selfless action for the betterment of the community.  The award winner will receive a $500 check provided by Jimmy and Debbie Filipowicz of Steel Etc, which may be given to a local charity of the winner’s choice; a tree, donated by Steve Tilleraas of Tilleraas Landscape Nursery, planted in their honor, with a granite marker donated by Montana Granite; a plaque donated by Greg and Leanne Hall; a dinner for two at P. Gibson’s, donated by P. Gibson’s Sports Grill; and a ride in a 1918 Model T Ford at the Fourth of July Parade provided by Kurt Baltrusch of the Skunk Wagon Club.

            Formal announcement of Jane Weber as the winner of the 2025 Paris Gibson Award will be made at the first concert of the season by the Great Falls Municipal Band. The announcement will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Gibson Bandshell, in Gibson Park on Wednesday, June 25^th, 2025. Megan Sanford, Chairman of the Paris Gibson Celebration Committee, will make the announcement. The concert is free and open to the public.

            Former winners are: Doug Wicks, 2010; Norma Ashby, 2011; Greg Hall, 2012; Ian and Nancy Davidson, 2013; Gene Thayer, 2014; Bill and Joan-Nell Macfadden, 2015; Arlyne Reichert, 2016; Sheila Rice, 2017; Brad Talcott and Linda Caricaburu, 2018; Chuck and Gerry Jennings, 2019; Judy Ericksen, 2020; David and Tanya Cameron, 2021; and Bud Nicholls, 2022, Kathy Van Tighem, 2023; Harold Spilde, 2024. 

For further information about the award, contact Megan Sanford, 406-452-3462.