Board of Directors

Phil Connelly: Board President                                                                                                                     Committees: Executive, Finance & Facilities                                                                                            

Phil spent a 35-year career as I.T. professional – programmer, analyst, user manual writer, database analyst, project management, manager. He has served on many boards – planning, airport, open lands, Bitterroot Celtic, water forum, Daly Mansion; and has been writing a history column for Ravalli Republic since 2009. 

Joann Hosko: Secretary                                                                                                                                      Committees: Executive, Events & Fundraising                                                                       

A retired teacher in the Bitter Root Valley, Joann Hosko is also a Victor Heritage Museum Board Member, Secretary Naomi Ch. 19 Order of Eastern Star, Secretary/Treasurer Victor Cemetery Association, Ravalli County Right to Farm & Ranch Board, co-author of Bitter Root Trails IV, and active in antique and classic car clubs.

Peggy Riemer: Vice President                                                                                                                        Committees: Executive , Events & Fundraising                                   

A retired theater teacher, Peggy Riemer is on the Philadelphia Board of Historic Plays and Payers Theater and shares her love of history, her talent of presentation and her passion for the Museum with the community. 

Perry Bartol: Treasurer                                                                                                                                    Committees: Executive, Finance & Facilities

Perry Bartol is retired after a 33 year career in banking. He is a passionate student of history, with a love for Montana and Ravalli County.  He lives in Hamilton with his wife Charlotte and has two children Henry and Whitney who both attend college.

Ruth Wimberly                                                                                                                                                        Committee: Finance & Facilities

Ruth Wimberly is originally from St Cloud, Minnesota. She recently moved to Hamilton to be closer to family in the area. She moved here from Sandpoint, ID where she had been involved as a volunteer and board member for many years with the Bonner County Historical Society &Museum. She loves reading about local history and exploring the Bitterroot valley. Ruth’s professional background has been in Human Resources.

Elena Lopez                                                                                                                                                              Committee: Events & Fundraising

Born and raised in California, Elena moved to Montana in 2015 and has 5 amazing kids. She has been on the San Luis Obispo, CA historical society board of directors, Friends of Price House, Pismo Beach Board of directors and the Dana Adobe Board in Nipomo, CA. Elena loves history and currently works at the Daly Mansion, in Hamilton, MT.

Scott Sacry                                                                                                                                                                        Committee: Events & Fundraising

Scott Sacry lives in Stevensville with his wife Amy and daughters Avery and Maddie. Scott received a B.A. in History a long time ago and has always enjoyed learning about the past, especially Western American History, Montana History and Environmental History. Scott works for the Bitterroot Star Newspaper as an advertising rep and sport’s reporter.

Board Meetings of the Bitter Root Valley Historical Society (BRVHS) are open to the public – all are welcome to join. All meetings are held on the second floor of the Ravalli County Museum, on the second Wednesday of each month and start at 10:00am.

2025 Board Meeting Schedule: Jan 8, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 9, May 14, Jun 11, Jul 9, Aug 13, Sep 10, Oct 8, Nov 12, Dec 10