Missoula County commissioners on Tuesday approved an application for federal funding to restore barracks used during World War II to imprison American citizens of Japanese and Italian descent. “This is a crucial step toward the full restoration of these buildings and in helping to advance the Historical Museum’s effort to tell the story of these internment camps,” said Matt Lautzenheiser, executive director of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, which will submit the funding request.

“Adding two fully restored barracks to our interpretation will help us better inform the public and raise awareness of the 2,200 Japanese and Italian nationals held at Fort Missoula during World War II,” Lautzenheiser said.