The Montana Historical Society hosts public programs on a wide variety of topics relating to the Treasure State’s history and culture. Most programs take place on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. (excluding holidays and a summer break). Every fall the Society holds its annual Montana History Conference. Special lectures, exhibit openings, curator tours, and family programs also enliven the year.
Can’t make it? Watch the archived recording on the MHS YouTube Channel as well as a variety of great presentations.
Sign up to learn about upcoming programs.
Unless otherwise noted, recordings will be posted on the MTHS YouTube channel.
Thursday, March 21, 6:30 p.m.
They Are Our B17s!: Norden Bombsight Training Facilities in Montana
Lewis & Clark Library
120 S Last Chance Gulch, Helena
Presentation by Kate Hampton
During the 1930s, the US Army Air Corps and Department of Defense instigated parallel programs to augment the military’s capacity for strategic bombing. Kate Hampton will speak on Montana’s four top-secret training facilities, where hundreds of airmen learned to crew the massive “Flying Fortresses” and to master the precision bombsight.
Saturday, March 23, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Ledger Art Workshop for Kids
Lewis & Clark Library
120 S Last Chance Gulch, Helena
Although this style of art is often referred to as “ledger art,” pictographic art was, and still is, produced by Plains Indians using different “canvases”—including rocks, cliffs, hides, clothing, tipi liners, bound ledger accounting books, and other types of paper. Most often, it was produced to tell a story about important events that happened in a particular person’s life. It also sometimes depicts historic events significant to a larger group.
In this workshop for kids, participants will learn about the history and meaning behind pictographic art. Then, we will provide materials and instruction for them to depict their own stories on historic ledger paper.
This workshop is limited to 24 kids, ages 5 and up. Parents and guardians are encouraged to accompany their kids. Prior registration is required. Use this link to register.
If you have further questions, please contact laura.marsh@mt.gov.
To arrange speakers for your group or organization, or other questions regarding public programs, contact Laura Marsh at (406) 444-4789 or laura.marsh@mt.gov.