A History of Montana in 101 Objects

by Montana Historical Society Historians & Staff, Montana Historical Society (Contributor)

"Whatever is appropriate, curious, and rare" A HISTORY OF MONTANA IN 101 Artifacts & Essays from the Montana Historical Society The Montana Historical Society (MHS) serves as Montana’s memory, and since 1865 has pursued its mission to collect and protect items of significance to Montana’s past. In this volume, MHS and other noted historians present 101 objects selected from the society’s vast collection, with detail-rich, full-color photographs and an interpretive essay for each artifact. The book is sectioned into eleven themes such as “Before Montana,” “Building Montana,” “Montanans on the Move,” and “Montana at War,” to name a few. Featured items include an Assiniboine or Sioux painted buffalo robe; Jim Bridger’s Hawken rifle, binoculars, and case; the Fort Benton weathervane; a copper grotesque; Fannie Sperry Steele’s saddle; and a Willem de Kooning painting, “Woman.” The cover features an iconic Montana image that links the past to present-day―the Square & Compass brand, still the emblem of fraternal orders of Freemasonry today. “On Feb. 10, 1873, the Poindexter and Orr Ranch in Beaverhead County registered the Square & Compass (a traditional symbol of the Freemasons). It was the first Montana brand to be recorded. Today, the original Brand Books, in use since 1873, continues to be held in trust by the Montana Department of Livestock Brand Division.” – Montana Historical Society

280 pages, Perfect Paperback

Published September 16, 2021

Reviews

[Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended as an easy place for any newcomer to Montana to start getting acquainted with the history of the place. The pieces are well-selected and the essays concise while still being interesting and informative. Makes me wish San Francisco had something similar.

[Cheryle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Montana Historical Society has been in existence since 1865 and this fantastic book has been compiled to showcase some of the preserved artifacts it houses in Helena, Montana. This assemblage of objects, interpretive essays, and beautiful photographs by Tom Ferris, draws attention to the diversity of experiences—the triumphs and the sorrows, the everyday struggles and joys—that made Montana. The book is sectioned into eleven themes such as “Before Montana,” “Building Montana,” “Montanans on the Move,” and “Montana at War,” to name a few. Featured items are beautifully pictured and the accompanying essays range from the unusual to the sublime. The many and diverse cultures are included and highlighted. These include an Assiniboine painted buffalo robe; Jim Bridger’s Hawken rifle, binoculars, and case; the Fort Benton weathervane; a copper grotesque; Fannie Sperry Steele’s saddle; and a Willem de Kooning painting, “Woman.” For me the most unusual item was an electric bathrobe from 1908.
Reading this book has whet my curiosity to visit the Historical Museum which houses these items. A fantastic addition to anyone's desire to learn more about Montana and how it has evolved to today.

[BLDinMT · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic way to dip into Montana history. The book has fabulous visual appeal coupled with brief and informative accompanying text. I discovered previously unknown facets of state history and developed a more rounded, fuller understanding of where we came from and who we are. It is a more diverse history than one might think!

Now I am itching to go back to the Montana Historical Society museum!