Independent scholar Laura Ferguson shares highlights from her research and writing on American Indian women as part of MHS’s yearlong project, Women’s History Matters.

Historian Dr. Greg Gordon answers the question "Who was A.B. Hammond?" through an overview of his new book, "When Money Grew on Trees: A. B. Hammond and the Age of the Timber Baron." Gordon explores the legacy and reputation of one of Missoula’s—and Montana’s—most important, albeit extremely unpopular, historical figures.

Montana State University PhD candidate Mary Biehl provides insight into one Montana woman in her presentation. In addition to other pursuits, Atwater operated the nationally renowned Shuttle-Craft Weaving Guild for thirty years, while the Black Beaver Fur Farm near Basin and the Ennis-area cattle ranch she operated with her son Monty yielded only financial hardship.

Jewell Peterson grew up on her family’s homestead near Cut Bank, MT. The Montana Historical Society interviewed Peterson in 1984. She recounted the social activities of Cut Bank, community changes, oil-and-gas development, the contributions of community women, and various issues surrounding reproductive health. Listen to short samples of her interview.

Jewell Peterson grew up on her family’s homestead near Cut Bank, MT. The Montana Historical Society interviewed Peterson in 1984. She recounted the social activities of Cut Bank, community changes, oil-and-gas development, the contributions of community women, and various issues surrounding reproductive health. Listen to short samples of her interview.

Jewell Peterson grew up on her family’s homestead near Cut Bank, MT. The Montana Historical Society interviewed Peterson in 1984. She recounted the social activities of Cut Bank, community changes, oil-and-gas development, the contributions of community women, and various issues surrounding reproductive health. Listen to short samples of her interview.

Jewell Peterson grew up on her family’s homestead near Cut Bank, MT. The Montana Historical Society interviewed Peterson in 1984. She recounted the social activities of Cut Bank, community changes, oil-and-gas development, the contributions of community women, and various issues surrounding reproductive health. Listen to short samples of her interview.

The often harsh environment of eastern Montana and western North Dakota has profoundly impacted the history of the region. Montana State University-Bozeman, PhD candidate Daniel Zizzamia examines how the physical geography and remnant resources generated through geologic time in the American West influenced western settlement and the advancement of American science in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. Presented at the 2013 Montana History Conference in Sidney.

Montana Historical Society Museum Technician Vic Reiman examines the development of ranching in Montana from its beginnings in the 1850s--focusing on the less familiar types of cattle that populated Montana before the Texas Longhorns arrived in the 1880s--through the Hard Winter of 1886-1887 which spelled the end of the open-range era. Presented at the 2013 Montana History Conference in Sidney.

Lyndel Meikle, Interpretive Historian at Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Deer Lodge, explores fashions, fads, and foolishness in the Treasure State. From arsenic-lined boots to blue glass cure-alls, Montana has not been immune to the witlessness which afflicts humans from every time and place. Presented at the 2013 Montana History Conference in Sidney.