News

In honor of campaigns to bolster local economies during the holiday season, the Northwest Montana History Museum welcomes book lovers and shoppers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25.

All books are discounted by 10 percent (that means 20 percent off for museum members) and many other items will be on sale. For more than two decades the bookstore and gift shop at the museum has served as a go-to for unique history- and Montana-themed titles and items.

In addition, from 10 a.m. to noon popular local author John Fraley will be on-site to sign books and catch up with his growing fan base. Fraley’s well-researched tales of early Montanans and their adventures–including his own as chronicled in his fifth, most recent book, My Wilderness Life–are always a hit with readers.

Stop by to browse, chat, and make a big impact by “shopping small” at your history museum.

The Northwest Montana History Museum’s Movie Night at the Museum will screen the 1965 film “Shenandoah” starring James Stewart at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28. The Civil War film also stars Doug McClure, Glenn Corbett, and Patrick Wayne with Katharine Ross and Rosemary Forsyth making their film debuts. Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, the movie soundtrack prominently features the familiar American folk song “Oh Shenandoah.”

In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in 1864, family patriarch Charlie Anderson (Stewart) only wants to be left alone to manage his farm along with his six sons, daughter Jennie (Forsyth), and daughter-in-law Ann (Ross). They are not slave owners, and Charlie is not concerned with the fight between North and South nor the skirmishes and battles being fought throughout the area. He only wants to be left in peace, to attend church on Sunday (to which his large family is always late) and work his farm. While some of his sons want to fight for the Confederacy, they respect their father’s wishes and stay on the farm. But after daughter Jennie marries a Confederate officer (McClure), events bring the war to his front door and his family into the conflict.

Admission and popcorn are free, but donations are gladly accepted to defray costs. Soda pop, water, beer, and wine are available for purchase. Seating is provided, but viewers can bring their own cushions or seating if they like.

The Northwest Montana History Museum brings the past alive through exhibits, artifacts, educational programs, and events. Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 124 Second Ave. E., Kalispell. Call 406-756-8381.

Kristina Graber Wilfore, a graduate of Flathead High School, appears at the museum to provide insight into her work on behalf of women, elections, and democracy around the world.

The free event is a casual conversation starting at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch or order for pickup from a nearby restaurant and join in to listen as Wilfore describes her trajectory from Kalispell to Washington, D.C. She has worked worldwide in the areas of international development, elections, and civic advocacy.

Join us for this rare opportunity to learn firsthand about life as a “disinfo fighter” serving on the frontlines of democracy movements around the globe.

More about Wilfore:

Kristina Graber Wilfore is a seasoned international development and elections specialist who has worked in more than 30 countries for more inclusive and responsive democratic movements. She has been on the ground in hotspots such as Ukraine, Kenya, Turkey, Brazil, and Kosovo. She has worked hand-in-hand with hundreds of women on their campaigns for higher office and to help overcome barriers to political participation, designing large-scale election integrity and counter-disinformation programs in fragile environments. Wilfore co-founded the cross-national initiative #ShePersisted, and serves as the Global Democracy Advisor at Reset.Tech testing and developing methodology for multilayered counter-disinformation programs in fragile democracies. Wilfore advises governments and international agencies on how to create an enabling environment to address social media harms and national security threats presented by mis/disinformation. She is an adjunct professor with the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, where she teaches a graduate course in counter-disinformation research and policy. Wilfore serves on the advisory board of Globant’s Be Kind Tech Fund startup society and is a member of the U.S. Institute of Peace Civil Society Working Group.

Details:

11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, 2023

Northwest Montana History Museum, 124 2nd Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901; 406-756-8381; nwmthistory.org

We know what some might think: The museum is selling its stuff?

Let us explain. Over the years since it opened its doors 25 years ago in the former Central School, the Northwest Montana History Museum has become the premier repository for thousands of regional artifacts. Before the museum adopted the defined process it has now — nothing enters the collection without a signed deed of gift from the donor — items sometimes came into the collection informally or were found on the doorstep (please don’t do that).

With formal processes for cataloging and storage now in place, museum staff and volunteers have discovered duplicates among the holdings (such as 14 typewriters) as well as items with no connection to Northwest Montana. Where possible, we have tracked the items to their original donors and offered them back. If the original donors cannot be found, we offer items to other, similar institutions. For example, we sent some duplicated items to museums in Deer Lodge and Livingston.

As the museum grows in its collection and membership, it does not have enough space to accommodate the number of items in storage and continue the mission. We mount frequent exhibits, such as the popular “Tales of 10 Objects” displays, as a way to show artifacts not on permanent exhibit.

Months ago we began a review of our stored collection, identifying duplicates and items outside the scope of the museum’s collection scope. Much as we love the items that have come our way, we are running out of storage and must make room to continue accepting items that help us present and preserve Northwest Montana history.

As part of the upcoming Locals Day organized with the Conrad Mansion and Hockaday Museum of Art, the Northwest Montana History Museum will hold a “yard sale” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. We follow the International Council of Museums’ protocol for deaccessioning. If items cannot be returned to their original donors or directed to more relevant, similar institutions, the next best option is for them to stay in the community from where they came.

That’s where you come in. Please spread the word that we hold this yard sale as a way to fine-tune our collection and increase our capacity for collecting items that reflect this unique place we call home. We appreciate our donors’ reverence for history and supporting us through donations to the collection as well as our members and visitors, who help us achieve our mission.

Also according to International Council of Museums’ protocol, all proceeds from the yard sale will benefit the collection.

Thank you for your understanding and support of this rare event. Feel free to call with any questions, and see you Sept. 23! Please, buy a typewriter.

Thank you to the Daily Inter Lake for publishing our first public statement on this event.

From now until Sept. 15 the museum joins 77 other Flathead Valley nonprofits for the fundraising campaign masterminded by the Whitefish Community Foundation.

At the $10,000 mark the museum will be eligible for a percentage match from the foundation, which bolsters the net considerably so we can keep on preserving and presenting Northwest Montana stories.

We are grateful to be part of the campaign, and hope you will help us make the most of the match and meet our goal! Last year we raised enough to enable more exhibits, events, the launch of our downtown walking tour, and so much more!

Thank you for your support. We receive every dollar given to us through the campaign. Here’s a direct link to do so, or look out for all the pop-up events around town to donate in person.

Thank you again for keeping history alive and helping make the history to come.

Last time Kalispell’s premier cultural institutions staged Locals Day, the occasion drew 600 people to enjoy art, history, and fun at three historic landmarks within walking distance of each other in downtown Kalispell.

Now Locals Day returns, this year running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.

The Conrad Mansion Museum, Hockaday Museum of Art, and Northwest Montana History Museum will offer discounted admission to all three institutions and special activities to mark the occasion, when we thank our supporters and expand outreach to recruit more. Our institutions could not survive without the community’s support.

Visitors who show their Montana driver’s licenses can buy a “passport” to the Conrad Mansion, Hockaday, and the Northwest Montana History Museum—all located within a nine-minute walk of one another.

The passport costs $12 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and up (kids under 12 are free).

In addition, institutions will stage special activities and offerings at their locations:

The Conrad Mansion Museum, the well-crafted home of a prominent founding family, will offer self-guided tours of the building’s three floors.

The Hockaday Museum of Art, home to Northwest Montana’s artistic legacy, will host food trucks and family activities in its parking lot and lawn. It also will be the final day of the Give Back Benefit Sale exhibition.

The Northwest Montana History Museum, the premier interpreter and presenter of regional history and artifacts, will hold a yard sale of items that either are duplicated in the collection or lack a connection to Northwest Montana. Following International Council of Museums’ protocol, the items first were offered back to original donors, when known, or to other institutions. Proceeds from the sale support the collection. The Flathead Ukulele Network plays noon to 2 p.m.

Thank you to event sponsor Glacier Bank!