4HistoryBuffs

Calling all history enthusiasts! 4HistoryBuffs is held on the last Tuesday of each month from 6-8pm. Join guest speakers for lively and entertaining presentations of historical interest.

History of Old Faithful Inn

Mar 25

Speaker: Jim McDonald. Jim McDonald was the principal historic architect for a $26 million restoration of Old Faithful Inn, a project that entailed five winters of work from 2004-2009. The illustrated talk will delve into the details of how the iconic structure was strengthened and modernized. Being a National Historic Landmark, the work had to adhere to precise restoration and seismic standards. The story of this successful project is a tribute to McDonald’s leadership.

Western Montana’s African American Community: 1870-1940

Apr 29

Speaker: Sophia Etier. For much of Western Montana’s history, the story of the region’s African American communities has been one that was dominated by the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers. Recent research, however, has uncovered that the African American communities Hamilton and Missoula contributed significantly to the urban landscape and local histories between 187-1940. For the first time here are their collective stories.

A Land Surveyor’s Interpretation of the History of Missoula Property Development from 1860 -1890

May 27

Speaker: Bill Weikel. This presentation will provide the audience with an overview of the who, what, where, why, and how of Missoula area property development from the time of the first valley settlers, through the Hellgate era, the Missoula Mills founding era, to 1891. The presentation will be primarily based on research from Private, Local, City, County, Territorial, State, and Federal records, with the addition of a few conclusions I have made based on connecting the threads of all these records and a few opinions from previous writings and presentations.

Soaking Up the History of Montana’s Hot Spring Resorts

Jun 24

Speaker: Jeff Birkby. Montana’s hot springs bubble with fascinating stories of Native American legends, miraculous cures, isolated wilderness soaks, and glittering spas. Crude bathhouse built by early settlers in the 1800s gave way to ornate bathing resorts and social gathering centers.