In late 2024, our beloved Executive Director, Kevin Kooistra, suddenly passed away. To honor his memory, we have partnered with his daughters, Emily and Lilly, to continue this dedicated fund. Kevin’s unwavering passion for preserving the spirit of the West and his tireless dedication to the Yellowstone River Valley were an inspiration to us all. To celebrate his birthday on January 4th, we are asking for donations in the amount of $30 to represent his 30 years of devotion to the Western Heritage Center.
Please consider a donation if your life was touched by Kevin’s love of history. Whether he helped you with a research project, shared an interesting historical or natural fact with you, you attended one of his walking tours, programs, or exhibits, or you enjoyed Kevin’s work in and around Billings, such as the downtown lamp banners, the Skyline Trail interpretive panels, and his work in historic preservation, or if you even just shared a laugh with him, please think of donating in his honor. Your generous contribution will not only commemorate Kevin’s profound impact but will also amplify the support for the Western Heritage Center Foundation’s mission, ensuring that his vision endures.
Chandler Cohagen: Montana Architecture – “Designed for Living” See Kevin’s last presentation for the Western Heritage Center
