H A Publication of the Spring 2010 SocietyMontana Historical Society St r Building Excitement for New Heritage Center

In this issue we proudly present plans for the Montana Heritage Center, the new home for your Montana Historical Society. Society Director Richard Sims and the statewide Society Board of Trustees required the new facility to embrace a vision worthy of Montana and its people. After years of painstaking planning and design, we believe this architectural model reflects that goal. Just east of the Capitol, it will be the friendly and open door of Montana. All building images courtesy of CTA Architects Engineers, SRG Partnership, and Main Street Design. Society Needs Your Support to Research Center Sleuth Closes Cold Murder Case Create New Home for History Today’s television “cold case” Once in a great while Montana plans that unite six Montana His- ­fiction dramas can’t hold a “real- architecture can capture the gran- torical Society programs together ity” candle to Montana Historical deur and excitement of Montana in two buildings with one vision Society sleuth Molly Kruckenberg itself. to provide greater service to Mon- when it comes to unraveling a In this issue we present to tana history, to Montanans, and murder case that happened nearly you, our special friends, architec- to our visitors. 60 years ago. tural plans for the new Montana “This is the most exciting In true film noir style: It was Heritage Center that will create a moment in the last quarter cen- a day like any other day when “Society to match the scenery,” to tury of this institution,” ­Society Clem Pellett asked the Society borrow Wallace Stegner’s phrase. Director Richard Sims said. “As Research Center to help him learn We began with a vision of you examine these wonderful more about his grandfather’s 1951 greater service to all components architectural illustrations, you murder. of Montana history and heritage will share our vision of what this Kruckenberg, the head of the so that Montanans can forever means for us and all future genera- research center, took on the inves- share their story with each other tions of Montanans.” tigation personally. Pellet said he and with the world in functional Consensus has been reached didn’t know much about what had and attractive facilities. with the Society’s Board of Trust- happened and hoped that perhaps After years of hard work and ees, government officials at all he could find the gravestone of the careful design, we have arrived at New Home (cont. on p. 4) Sleuth (cont. on p. 6)

1 Montana Heritage Center fundraising goal for the Montana thinking about how you can con- Heritage Center project before we tribute to this worthy effort in the The Work Ahead realize our dream of a new home future. We would love to hear from you. direc tor Richard Sims for Montana history. The Society is working towards Let’s get right down to the dol- making the dream a reality. Inter- lars and sense. Architectural plans nal preparations for this major for the Montana Heritage Center campaign have been underway Something New, approved by the Montana His- for quite a while, although it has Something Old torical Society Board of Trustees been only three months since the Treasures from the represent a construction budget four-year debate over facility loca- Socie t y Collec tions of $37.5 million. This amount was tion was finally resolved in mutual identified as a reasonable figure agreement over the importance of The “something new” this issue for building a project of this scope, building the new center. We are is the seventh Wrangler Award and won necessary approval by now creating a presence on the for Western Heritage from the the Montana Legislature in 2005. Society website, we are develop- prestigious National Cowboy and Of that amount, $7.5 million in ing fundraising protocols, we are Western Heritage Museum in bonding authority was approved preparing a budget for campaign Oklahoma awarded to the Soci- by the 2005 legislature. Over the needs, we are designing campaign ety’s Montana The Magazine of past three years, even though the literature, we are producing a Western History. debate continued over a location commemorative naming program, The award was for author John for the facility, an additional $2 mil- we are working with both sides Monnett’s article, “ ‘My Heart Now lion was raised—$600,000 from of the legislative aisle, we are re- Has Become Changed to Softer the Greater Montana Foundation, tasking certain staff internally Feelings,’ A Northern Cheyenne and $1.4 million in appraised value and recruiting a professional fund Woman and Her Family Remem- of 300 acres of donated real estate. raiser, and most importantly, we ber the Long Journey Home.” It That now makes our goal $30 mil- are ­recruiting leadership state- was voted the Outstanding Maga- lion (including an endowment wide whose participation will zine Article for 2009. goal) to raise over the next few validate this momentous effort The Metropolitan State College years, through appeals to the pub- and help ensure success. You will of Denver professor tells the tragic lic sector and to the private sector. hear much more about this once- story of Iron Teeth’s trek from Many donors would like to see in-a-lifetime opportunity to create Indian Territory to the North- state government allocate signifi- a heritage campus at the Capitol ern Cheyenne’s homelands on cant funds for the new center, and worthy of Montana’s breadth and the northern plains in 1877. She many in state government would depth of history. vowed to reclaim a way of life or like to see further success in the A formal campaign for the new die trying. private sector. The work, accord- Montana Heritage Center will Society Press Magazine Busi- ingly, will focus on two fronts be launched soon, and we will be ness Manager Tammy Ryan said simultaneously. Also, it is a rule of asking for your support and con- proudly: “Now we have a Wrangler Montana state government that tributions. We consider you our in our collection for every day of 100% of funds for construction of partners in history. Please begin the week.” state buildings must be on hand— “cash on the barrelhead”—before any bid process for construction begins. We must meet our total

About Us The Society Star is published quarterly by the Montana Historical Society and is a benefit of membership. Director Richard Sims 7 Society Director: Richard Sims (left) and John ­Monnett 7 Editor: Tom Cook, 406-444-1645 with the Wrangler 7 Graphic Designer: Diane Gleba Hall Awards presented www.montanahistoricalsociety.org to Monnett and the Society Press.

2 The Society Star: Spring 2010 On the Road to Montana’s Great Museums and Galleries Range rider Museum, Miles Cit y There is no better place to go to with artifacts like Charlie Russell understand southeastern Mon- artwork, he says, “and the next I’m tana than the Range Riders cleaning the toilet.” Museum in Miles City. The museum includes 13 build- It does what it says it does: ings on 13 acres of land and has “Captures the essence of area more than 38,000 square feet of The Range Rider Museum has lots to offer. ranches, railroads, Indian villages, exhibit space. It is a rich collection Fort Keogh and all the things that of artifacts and historic buildings trooper. Bob is one of the foremost make southeastern Montana spe- that is well worth a trip to see. experts on the history of the fort, cial and historical.” Although there is not much of a model of which is on exhibit. For 25 years Bob Barthelmess it left, the museum is near the site But his favorite room is Memo- and his wife Betty Ann have car- of the famous Fort Keogh that rial Hall that has 875 plaques with ried on the mission and improved led to the establishment of the the names and the histories of the the museum that was established community. Bob is a third genera- families that settled the area. “It in 1939. tion Miles Citian, and his grand­ preserves the memory of the lives Bob’s sense of humor is as great father, Christian Barthelmess that were lived out here. There is no as his knowledge of the history of was ­stationed at the fort serving greater thing than that,” he said. Go the area. One day he is working as a musician, photographer and see all the “riders” of the past. Society Star Profile Deb Mitchell: Guiding Light for Montana History For thousands of students and and puts that knowledge to work adults Deb Mitchell has been the in the tedious detail and schedul- face and voice of the Montana His- ing that she faces every day. torical Society. “We have some of the most Her official Montana Historical amazing tour guides. They are our Society title is Program Specialist front-line people with the public. for Outreach and Interpretation. They are here because they are Deb Mitchell and a tour group in the What she does is oversee tour passionate about what they do,” ­Montana Homeland Gallery guides for Montana’s Museum, she said. the State Capitol and the Original International visitors some- the classroom is always special. It Governors’ Mansion, work with times ask Mitchell where the cow- is fulfilling to work with all of the bus tours, sends Society ­history boys and Indians are, and she kids across the state,” she said. footlockers to schools across the always strives to present the real Mitchell grew up showing state, and coordinates a wide story of Montana. “When they horses, so she has a “good under- variety of special educational complete a tour, the most com- standing” of early transportation ­programs for children and adults. mon thing you hear is that we have in the state. Her sons Tanner and “I started out at the Society 10 the most beautiful museum and Skyler both participated in high years ago as a tour guide,” she said. capitol they have seen. Especially school rodeo, and Tanner also “I really enjoyed working and vis- from those who came thinking competes at the college level. iting with people from across the that we were still the wild, wild It gives her a good perspective state, and really the world. I like to West,” she said. on the often stressful aspects of challenge myself, so I applied for Working with classroom teach- her job. “What I do every day is a my current job, and here I am.” ers and students is one of the breeze compared to going to the She is a graduate in civil engi- most rewarding parts of her job, rodeo,” she said. “Watching my neering from Yakima Valley Com- she said. “Seeing what we do here boys ride 2,000-pound bulls is munity College in Washington, at the Society incorporated into what tough is.”

The Society Star: Spring 2010 3 Grand Design and New Vision for Montana History and Heritage Stretching majestically over two blocks just east of the State Capitol Building, a welcoming place for MHS Museum patrons, researchers, all Montanans and their visitors

e ns Storag el Co llec tio Low er L ev

ee t be rts Str Ro Museum Store to complete Multi-purpose Event Center visitor experience for up to 300 people Spacious Main Exhibit Gallery— 15,000 sq. ft. Montana’s Museum and engage including responsibility for state our research, education, and his- records, common ground where toric preservation services. To Montanans come together to gov- hear their excited voices, see their New Home (cont. from p. 1) ern themselves, and tradition. faces, and watch them learn from ­levels, and other interests that the This is where thousands of our tour guides what it means to new facility will be in Helena— students and their teachers from be a Montanan reminds us of why near the Capitol that is popularly every corner of the state come this is chosen ground. known as the People’s House. each year to learn about state gov- The plan also allows us to save There are many logistical and ernment, take Society sponsored money by remodeling our exist- technical reasons for that decision tours of the State Capitol, visit ing building, using state-owned property just across the street north of that building for new con- struction, and bringing the whole project together with a grand con- course under 6th Street between the two structures. These plans were developed by some of the best Montana and national firms that specialize in facilities like ours. The partnership includes CTA Architect Engineers, SRG Partnership, Architecture Planning Interiors, and Main Street Design. The Montana Archi- Plans for the new Montana Heritage Center result in additional parking spaces in the area. tects & Engineers Division and The landscaped grounds have plenty of green space for outdoor events and festivals includ- other state officials also assisted ing a terraced amphitheatre adjacent to the center. in planning.

4 The Society Star: Spring 2010 Grand Design and New Vision for Montana History and Heritage Stretching majestically over two blocks just east of the State Capitol Building, a welcoming place for MHS Museum patrons, researchers, all Montanans and their visitors

Classrooms where New home for the Mackay s Storag e Café with a taste of learning will be fun Gallery of C.M. Russell Art llec tio n the real Montana er L evel Co Low Modern, professional and Welcome Center for Broad, well-lit underground user-friendly Research Center entire Capitol Complex concourse and exhibit area

Layout of the main floors of the new Montana Heritage Center. Underneath and above these public areas are where Montana’s memory lives. These improved spaces allow safe and modern storage for the Society’s extensive collections. Our winning formula is 6–2–1: 6 programs operating more efficiently out of 2 buildings, providing 1 new level of public service.

The new Montana Heritage the street will provide 45,330 nsf. building and a new building. The Center will be a welcoming entry The existing Society Building has “sizzle” is the excitement repre- point and anchor for visitors as 66,995 nsf and will be renovated. sented by the architectural design, part of a Capitol Campus master The planning process from by new and renovated spaces, plan that is also underway. June—December 2009 kept firmly and by the increased capacity to Total space needs for the Mon- in mind two concepts that Sims ­provide education and enjoyment tana Heritage Center were iden- emphasized: “The steak and the to all Montanans and those who tified at 119,805 net square feet sizzle.” The “steak” he describes as visit us. (nsf). The new building connected the meat of the project, the syner- Share our excitement. Build the by a grand concourse gallery under gistic functionality of a renovated future with us.

The Society Star: Spring 2010 5 Sleuth (cont. from p. 1) man who had killed his grandpa, Nationally renowned artist Clarence. Little did he know that coming home for rendezvous his request would lead to the apprehension of Frank Drynan, It is always a question whether dezvous even more exciting this who had killed Clarence, escaped Montana makes artists famous year,” said Sue Near, who is coordi- justice, and was still on the loose. or whether artists make Montana nating the event. “This request really hit a lot of famous. By chance, Brown came to the our records,” Kruckenberg said. “It Either way, it is time for art Montana Historical Society in covered the gamut—that’s what lovers to make their plans and 1973 and ran into then curator of made it a great research case.” get their reservations now for art Bob Morgan, who recognized Most people know about the the Montana Historical Society’s his talent. “Bless Bob’s soul, he Society’s great museum, she said, 32nd Western Rendezvous of Art told me ‘we’re going to do some- but the archives that include more Aug. 19-22 in Helena when Harley thing for you,’ and he gave me a than 25,000 feet of material and Brown comes home to the show one-man show at the Society. I records is the heart of Montana’s and the place that made him one went from zero in my career on memory. of the most renowned painters of up to where I am fortunate to be Kruckenberg began the search the West. today,” Brown said. with the Society’s newspaper “A lot of people in Montana over Morgan said he knew that collection which has nearly all the years have followed my career Brown was a great, budding art- of the papers ever published in and helped me along,” Brown said. ist, and his career has been Montana beginning when it was “Montana was where it all began “phenomenal.” a ­territory. Other records includ- for me. I am happy to be coming “I guess we were all a little bit ing from the state attorney gen- back.” more exciting in our younger days,” eral’s office and the prison, which Although he is a charter mem- Brown said of his Rendezvous the Society archives, added to the ber of the Northwest Rendezvous experiences. “Now an exciting day information. Group of artists that work with to me is going to the Safeway and Clem and Kruckenberg contin- the Society to put on the four-day looking for a cereal.” ued to communicate on e-mail, celebration in Helena each August, To find out more about Ren- and he made trips from his home it has been several years since his dezvous, view some of the art, in Bellevue, Wash., to meet with busy schedule has allowed him to and register go on line to www. her and do research himself at the attend the event. westrendart.org. Society. Brown will present a special All of the research even­tually one-man-show on his life and led to Pellett hiring a private work as a thank you to the patrons Don’t Miss investigator, who—armed with of Rendezvous for their support History Conference the information—was able to over the years and to share some track Drynan, 78, down in Ari- of the things that he has learned The history of Glacier National Park zona, where he was apprehended from and about the people he has will be featured at the Montana by authorities. known along the way. Historical Society’s 37th Annual “What I am going to do is take Montana History Confer­ence Sept. the frames off my work and just 30 though Oct. 2 in Helena. show some of the stuff that I have “We are celebrating the cen- done over the years and answer tennial of Glacier Park as well as people’s questions about it,” examining the role of tourism and Brown said. outdoor recreation in the history University of Montana Profes- of Montana,” Society Outreach sor Rafael Chacon is also one of and Interpretation Program Man- the special guest speakers this year ager Kirby Lambert said. at Rendezvous. He will present For more information contact “Paintings as Propaganda: Art in Lambert at 406-444-4741, email Glacier National Park in the Early [email protected], or go on line Molly Kruckenberg casts a careful eye on 20th Century. “We have some very to www.montanahistoricalsociety. the Drynan files. special guests that will make Ren- org.

6 The Society Star: Spring 2010 “When I attended school in immigrants who had experienced New Society Book the 1970s and 1980s, the county’s socialism in their native Europe. Recalls Montana’s Communist movement simply By the late 1930s people were was not discussed, certainly not trying to put their past behind ‘Commies’ in classrooms and never in polite them. conversation,” she said. McDonald used newspaper ac­- For nearly two decades ­Charles counts, oral histories, FBI reports Taylor’s organization held sway in and even internal communist the northeast corner of Montana party files to do her research. through his flagship newspaper, The 232-page book that The Producers News, which for a includes many illustrations and time was an official organ of the ­photographs sells for $16.95 in Communist Party USA. paperback. It can be ordered by When economic times got calling the Museum Store toll- tough in northeast Montana, free 1-800-243-9900. Members get Taylor found fertile ground for their ­discount. his communist interests among The Producers News once was the voice for the Communist Party in northeast Montana. Memorials to Society It is a story so sensitive that for Great Way to be Remembered decades many Montanans were There is no better way to honor a on the gift check, that ­specifies the ashamed to even talk about it. person with a passion for Mon- person to be remembered. A new book published by the tana history than to donate a gift Families are encouraged to Montana Historical Society Press to the Montana Historical Society contact us if memorial contribu- at last brings to light a nearly for- in their name. tions in honor of their loved one gotten chapter of state history You can celebrate historic occa- will be directed to the Montana when communism gained a strong sions such as birthdays, anniver- ­Historical Society. We appreciate foothold and even a national voice saries, and holidays or say “thank having a copy of the obituary or in radical politics during the 1920s you” with a tribute donation some biographical information on and 1930s. honor­ing a special person in your the person named in the memorial The Red Corner: The Rise and life. It’s easy—just send a dona- for our files. Please include contact Fall of Communism in Northeastern­ tion to the Montana Historical information so that we may send Montana by Verlaine Stoner ­Society and let us know the name acknowledgements of memorial McDonald is a riveting book that of the person you would like to pay gifts received to the family. recounts newspaper wars, farm tribute to, including their contact The Society will send all tribute labor activism, communist picnics information and the special occa- and memorial donors a personal and youth organizations, ugly cor- sion you’d like to highlight. The letter of thanks for their gift. ruption and scandal. Society will send the honored per- Checks can be sent to: Tributes McDonald’s journey into the son a letter notifying them of the & Memorials, Montana Historical dark days her family had lived tribute gift, acknowledging your Society, P.O. Box 201201, 225 North through began in 1985 when a thoughtfulness (gift amount will Roberts, Helena MT 59620-1201. hired man came across some old remain confidential), and letting Contact Susan Near, Special Proj- newspapers on her family farm. them know what it means for our ects Manager, for further informa- One of the papers that had been history programs. tion on these funds or to discuss published in nearby Plentywood Memorial gifts express your other recognition ideas. in 1932 bore the headline “Vote sympathy or remember a loved All donations to the Montana Communist Tuesd’y, Nov. 8.” family member, friend or col- Historical Society are tax deduct- Although she had lived in league. At the same time these ible in accordance with section Sheridan County most of her life, thoughtful donations contribute 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue McDonald said she only began to to the Society’s effort to preserve Service Code. No goods or services discover the radical history of her Montana’s many legacies. When can be exchanged for your gift if it community as she read through making memorial donations is used as a tax deduction. the yellowed newspapers. please include a note, or a notation

The Society Star: Spring 2010 7 225 N. Roberts, P.O. Box 201201 Helena, MT 59620-1201

3,000 copies of this public document were published at an estimated cost of $.70 per copy, at a total cost of $2,154, which includes $1,729 for printing and $425 for distribution.

7 First look at your new Montana Heritage Center! 1 7 Society “star” solves cold case 1 7 Director Sims proposes path to new building 2 7 On the Road to Range Rider Museum in Miles City 3 7 New Society Press book confronts “commies” in Celebrating the spirit of Montana’s Native American veterans, Society Director Richard Sims helps open the “Native Words, Native Warriors” exhibit at the People’s Center in Pablo Montana history 7 on the lands of the Salish, Pend d’Oreille and Kootenai tribes. The travelling Smithsonian Institution exhibit on Indian code talkers is being taken by the Society to all reservations in the state. It is much appreciated by Indians and non-Indians alike, who are finding common ground in honoring all of the state’s veterans and those who are currently serving. Watch for it coming to your area. We appreciate our members!