The Veterans
and Pioneers Memorial Building, 225 N. Roberts St., across from
the Capitol. It houses the Montana
Historical Society. Photo taken in the 1960s.
The
Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building under construction, 1951
The
Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building, 1960s
COURTESY
OF WENDI KOTTAS PETERSON
Charles
M. Russell Room, 1950s
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
Works of
Charles
Marion Russell (1864-1926) have long been a major draw for
the Montana Historical Society. The postcard view above shows
the Russell gallery as it appeared in the 1950s. Your editor
spent many enoyable hours in this room. Russell was one of Montana's
great souls, and - in my opinion - the finest western artist
of all time.
"Montana Heritage"
1955 HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTANA PROMOTIONAL PAMPHLET
This
interesting and nostalgic 33-page brochure details the functions
of the Historical Society, and abounds with photos of the current
museum as it was in the 1950s. It also has numerous behind-the-scenes
photos. This PDF download
is presented courtesy of the Montana Historical Society.
Click the brochure cover below...
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD • PUBLISHED HERE WITH PERMISSION
Beautifully
Crafted Dioramas
The Museum
had numerous highly-detailed dioramas during the 1950s -70s,
illustrating various scenes from Montana history. The use of
forced
perspective to create the illusion of depth was utilized
to great effect in most of the dioramas.
The "Buffalo
Jump" diorama has long been a favorite of museum visitors.
Creating
the Buffalo Jump Diorama, 1952
FROM
"MONTANA HERITAGE" - 1955 HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MONTANA
PROMOTIONAL PAMPHLET
Two photos
of Gardell
Dano Christensen (1907-1991) working on the buffalo jump
diorama, 1952. State budget constraints forced Christensen to
leave the MHS in early 1953. The diorama was completed by artist
Leslie
H. Peters.
Diorama
Depicting Seismic Oil & Natural Gas Exploration
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
This 1950s diorama
featured an African American figure.
Oil
Drilling Diorama
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
A Diorama
of the Early Days of Copper Mining in Butte, Montana
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
Depicted are
Marcus Daly, Ben Ali Haggin and George Hearst.
"Territory
Junction" was a mock frontier main street which occupied
part of the lower level of the Montana Historical Society in
the 1960s - 70s. It featured 13 stores and offices with authentic
19th Century fittings and artifacts. This exhibit has long since
been removed.
"Territory
Junction" Jewelry Shop
The
Back Bar of "The Mint" Saloon
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
The back
bar of Great Falls' "The Mint" Saloon, which was once
frequented by Charles M. Russell. It is currently on loan from
the Montana Historical Society to the C.
M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, and may be seen there.
"Territory
Junction" Junction
"Big
Medicine"
SACRED WHITE BUFFALO
"Big
Medicine", the sacred white buffalo (1933-1959). Although
"Big Medicine" can still be seen, he has been such
a memorable part of the Museum visit for so long that he is
included here.
The birth
of this white buffalo at the National Bison Range on Montana's
Flathead Indian Reservation was seen as an auspicious event
by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He was well
cared for, and lived beyond the normal bison life span. While
he was still alive, preparations were made by the Montana
Historical Society to have his form preserved for future generations.
The
Montana Centennial Parade Passes the
Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building, 1964
COURTESY
OF TOM KILMER
Ed
Towe Antique Ford Collection
From 1967
to the mid-1970s, the Montana Historical Society enjoyed the
loan of the Ed Towe antique Ford collection. From 1967 to
1970, the collection was on display at 1325 Helena Avenue,
where the above photo was taken. Upon completion of the south
wing of the Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building in 1970,
the collection was moved there for several years.
The collection
was subsequently housed at the old State Prison in Deer Lodge,
until it was dispersed by an IRS sale in 1997. If anyone knows
when the Towe collection left the Montana Historical Society,
please drop me an e-mail.
Studio
in the basement of the Montana Historical Society, 1970
PHOTO
BY KENNON BAIRD
A
1973 Video Clip Featuring the Museum
COURTESY
OF KITTY ANN QUIGLEY TAALER
Taken from
the 1973 promotional film "Helena-City of Gold", produced
by the Helena Chamber of Commerce. The antique Ford collection
and Territory Junction attractions mentioned in the clip are
no longer at the museum, but the institution has expanded and
improved greatly since the film was made.
The
Keelboat "Mandan"
Movie prop was
exhibited outdoors in Helena for years
Above
is a recent photo of the keelboat Mandan in Fort Benton, Montana.
The boat was built for use in the 1952 RKO motion picture
"The
Big Sky", starring Kirk Douglas, and adapted from
Montanan A. B. Guthrie's novel.
After
filiming was completed in Wyoming, the boat was shipped to
the Historical Society in Helena, and put on unprotected outdoor
display on the east side of the Veterans and Pioneers Memorial
Building. In true Helena fashion, it was immediately vandalized.
A fence was built around it, and it remained on display for
many years.
It was
eventually loaned to the city of Fort Benton, and was officially
deaccessed by the Montana Historical Society in 2005.
