What's New @ The Museum
“IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU”
At the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula’s ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION & PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The Friends of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula are providing a little something for everyone at this year’s 4th of July Celebration held annually on the Historical Museum grounds at Fort Missoula from 8am until 4pm, Saturday, July 4 - rain or shine! read more...
"This Contest is for Real Hands, Rodeo Photographs of the 1930s" North Gallery Opening April 26, 2009 through October 2009
New Exhibits at the Museum:
Forestry Day - April 25, 2009.
Activities include collegiate and professional lumberjack competitions, including crosscut sawing, pole climbing, wood chopping, axe throwing, hot saws, and log rolling. There will also be an impressive array of historic forestry and logging equipment, operating steam-powered sawmill, restored fire lookout tower, hands-on opportunities for all, displays of crafts, activities for children, and venders. Food will be available from The University of Montana's Woodsman Team Annual Forestry Day is held in conjunction with The University of Montana Woodsman Team and the Montana Society of American Foresters.
"This Contest is for Real Hands; Rodeo Photographs of the 30s" exhibit
opening, April 26, 1:00-4:00.
"Unintended Consequences: 1918 - The Flu and World War I"
“Death is a personal thing, a deep family tragedy.”
In Missoula, the fourth largest community, the city’s hospitals were overwhelmed. The city and county officials struggled to deal with the outbreak. The community was desperate.
The Historical Museum presents a new exhibit, “Unintended Consequences: The 1918 Flu & World War I”, opening on Sunday, March 30.
According to historical documents the “Spanish Influenza” epidemic of 1918 was the most virulent flu epidemic in history. It killed more than 5,000 in Montana, more than 650,000 in the United States, and an incredible twenty to fifty million died worldwide.
At the same time the flu was taking its toll, America was still engaged in World War I. These two catastrophic events impacted the lives of many with devastating consequences.
Not only did the flu claim many civilian lives but the military was hit hard also. Some speculated they might be victims of biological warfare because Germany had already introduced chemical warfare in Europe. This was a time of turbulence and suspicion, and none more so than in Montana.
When asked why she chose this as a theme for the spring exhibit, L. Jane Richards, Senior Curator/Assistant Director of the Museum said, “I chose this theme because of its historical impact. The exhibit demonstrates the way science has treated the flu over the years since 1918. It’s also about how the war changed America and how its politics still affects us today.”
Opening mid-February will be "Recent Acquisitions" in the Southgate Mall Orientation Room
Scavenger Hunts!
We have scavenger hunts for many aspects of the exhibits, both indoors and outdoors. These can be done independently or docent-led (if scheduled arrangements made). Just ask!
