Montana Historical Society Announces February Public Programs

• January 29 2024

The Montana Historical Society invites community members of all ages to attend its February public programs, which include lectures, workshops, and a special discussion on the Montana Heritage Center.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Library, Ken Hamlin will present “Letters from the Montana Frontier.” In honor of Valentines Day, Hamlin will share historic letters from Montana related to the separation of married couples, families, and courtship through the mail. These touching examples and stories come from his book Montana Through the Mail: 1810-1889.

On Monday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. at Brothers Tapworks, Montana Historical Society Director Molly Kruckenberg will share plans for and answer questions about the new $100 million facility currently under construction in “The Montana Heritage Center: Saving Our Past, Sharing Our Stories.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. at Touchmark, Montana Historical Society interpretive historian Christine Brown will share “All the Sign Text That Isn’t Fit to Print,” highlighting the intriguing, sometimes macabre, and often sad stories that never made it onto National Register signs. Each year Montana Historical Society historians write 50 to 100 National Register of Historic Places signs, but invariably must leave out many juicy historical details in order to meet a 190-word limit.

On Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Library, Carroll College professor emeritus Bob Swartout will speak about Montana’s historical ethnic and social diversity, drawing from his book Montana: A Cultural Medley. Swartout’s book gathers enthralling stories from African American, Japanese American, Metis, Jewish, Dutch, and many other communities across the Treasure State.

The Montana Historical Society also is partnering with the Holter Museum to put on two historic Valentine-making workshops this month. Participants will be provided with supplies and instruction to make their own Victorian-themed cards for their loved ones. Both workshops will be held at the Holter. The adult workshop will be on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m., and the children’s workshop will be on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. Prior registration is required.

Only programs held at the library will be recorded and posted on the MTHS YouTube channel.

For more information, email laura.marsh@mt.gov.