I grew up on a farm near Wichita, Kansas in the 50’s and 60’s. Whitetail deer, wild turkeys, quail, and pheasant roamed the wheat fields. Each month, neighboring farmers would gather for a farm supper. Afterwards, the women would go to the living room and crochet, quilt, or do fancy needlework. The men would sit on the porch and discuss politics, and the children would go to the barn and play with the kittens. That was a much different time, and for many years, I have wanted to return to that time when life seemed much less hectic, small towns were small towns, and neighbors visited each other.

I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart College in 1969 and received my Master’s and Specialist's from Wichita State University. I worked as an English teacher in public and private schools in Kansas until 1978 when I moved to Richmond, Virginia and took a position as an instructor with Dominion/Virginia Power, working at its North Anna nuclear power plant until I retired in 2005. My husband, Wayne is retired from Boeing Aircraft in Seattle.

After retirement, we first thought of moving back to Wichita, but my husband (a fisherman and hunter) suggested we look at Townsend, Montana as he had fished at Canyon Ferry Reservoir for many years. I fell in love with Townsend, especially the way it’s nestled between the Elkhorn and Big Belt Mountain ranges. The people are friendly, and I knew Townsend was where I wanted my business to be. Every evening in the summer and fall, we go up in the mountains and look at the wildlife and beautiful scenery. Wildlife in various forms (photographs, ornaments, figurines, jewelry, and linens) is reflected in the store.

Big Sky Illuminations opened in Townsend on August 1, 2006. One of the store’s unique features is its theme: “Where It’s Christmas Every Day.” Thus, patrons see uniquely themed Christmas trees (e.g., hunting, fishing, cats and dogs, patriotic, etc.,) all year round. The tree in the front window changes with the seasons and has been a rodeo tree, an autumn tree (resplendent with greens, golds, reds, and oranges), a circus tree, a spring tree (with hydrangeas, butterflies, birds, and dragonflies), and for June, a bridal/anniversary tree.

We want our shop to emanate a feeling of home and comfort, where people can not only step back in time but get new ideas for decorating. Most of the display tables and hutches are made from old barn wood. My husband built a 6’x6’x6’ cabin to help display merchandise, and our son contributed the elk horns which sit atop its roof. The checkout desk is a 1950’s dresser to which barn wood that survived a 1963 tornado on the farm in Kansas has been attached. Old yardsticks from across the Midwest are used for edging.

We also produce a monthly newsletter (Glad Tidings). The newsletter carries information about our products and special events in our store, If you would like to receive the newsletter, please establish an account with us and click on the “Options/Newsletter” box.

We would be happy to assist you in finding just the right gift for every occasion. Happy Shopping and Best Wishes!

Rebecca Kelch Mitchell

Big Sky Illuminations

221 Broadway
Townsend, MT 59644

(406) 266-4304

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