Carnegie Library to become B&B in Malta

Kim Hudson and Rachel Liff are the new owners of the historic Carnegie Library building. Their plans for the future are to have a Bed and Breakfast.

Hudson is originally from southwest Montana and Liff from Vermont but has lived the past 25 years as a Montanan.

They both currently are from Norris, Mt by Bozeman and were introduced to Malta by their friends Parker and Barb Heinlein.

About a year ago the two were driving around Malta and saw the Carnegie Library building, stopped in the street and decided something needed to be done.

They both turned and looked at each other and thought the same thing at the same time.

"We just looked at each other and said 'that building has got to be saved'." said Liff and smiled.

"So now we are now the proud owners of it." stated Hudson.

They've already started renovating by removing two big trees that were in front on either side of the stairway. The one tree was dead and the other not so great either and the trees blocked the beautiful front of the building.

They have to get a roof and some masonry work done on the back wall before starting anything else.

They are both working stiffs, and Hudson a retired working stiff.

They are looking at grants to help with the process and it helps that the building is on the historic register.

They are also working with the Montana Preservation Alliance that has people to work with you on a lot of the details and paperwork.

Some of those details are through the Montana Park Service and are very particular too, the extra input is appreciated.

"We're guessing if we are lucky, maybe it will be a two year project." Liff predicted.

"We'd love to do it next year because the building is 100 years old then," added Hudson.

"Yes, 1917 was when it was built." stated Liff

"But we can't see that there is any way we could have it done by next year." chimed in Hudson. "Some of these grants take a year just to get them."

When asked what their intentions were for the building the answer was to be a Bed and Breakfast.

Liff also went on to include, "We also want it to be for the community, for meetings and other functions."

"We want to support the community by tying the community back to that building and community use, which was originally it's whole purpose." shared Hudson. "We can't see just privatizing it. We want something for the whole community."