MTHS Announces October Lecture Series

• October 02 2023

The history of native plants’ forage and horticulture, plus the vigilante X. Beidler activities in Fort Benton are two captivating, free lectures hosted by The Montana Historical Society in October.

On Oct. 5, Carson Thomas from the Montana Department of Agriculture will present on “Native Plants of Montana: A History of Forage and Horticulture.” While history often focuses on the people of the past, the story of the land and our natural environment also is an important part of our cultural heritage. In this presentation, Thomas will delve into the cultural significance of native plants and how their historic cultivation and use has helped shape Montana history. This program is being offered in conjunction with the Big Read of “The Bear” by Andrew Krivak.

On Oct. 19, Overholser Historical Research Center historian Ken Robison will share “A Hidden Tale: The Vigilantes and X. Beidler of Fort Benton.” Stories of Montana vigilantes often center on Henry Plummer and X. Beidler in Bannack and Virginia City in the early 1860s, but vigilante activity later in the 1860s in the booming and lawless riverport town of Fort Benton has received little attention.

Robison will take you through the streets of the “Bloodiest Block in the West” and the “Hoo Doo Block” to unveil the hidden tale of lawman X. Beidler and the vigilantes in Fort Benton. These stories are told from Robison’s new book “Historic Tales of Fort Benton,” and copies of his book will be available for purchase.

Lectures are cosponsored by the Lewis and Clark Library in Helena and are held every other Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Library’s Large Meeting Room. Community members of all ages are invited to attend.