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.

February 24

Graphic Design of the WPA

Speaker: Luke Duran. With their unique hand-drawn lettering, simple messages, and unforgettable illustrations, the posters created by the artists of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) promoted tourism in the service of economic growth.

March 24

The Mexican-American War

Speaker: Tate Jones. The causes, battles, and aftermath of the Mexican-American War, which was precipitated by the American annexation of Texas and ended with the US gaining more than a half million square miles of Mexican territory.

April 28

Feeding the Frontier: Chinese Gardeners

Speaker: Mark T. Johnson. In towns across Montana, Chinese gardeners were once a familiar sight—walking the streets with baskets of fresh vegetables or cultivating fields on the edges of growing communities. Drawing on farming traditions from southern China, they introduced techniques that produced remarkable crops in the challenging conditions of the Mountain West.

May 26

Celebrate America: Commission 250

Speaker: Molly Stockdale. As the US commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding, Montanans can reflect on what our state looked like in 1776 and how the people of our state have contributed to our nation. This presentation highlights the cultural significance of six Montana State Parks. Stories of eight historical figures who changed Montana, the U.S. and the world through their efforts in arts innovation, service and historic preservation.

June 30

A Marxist, a Martyr, and a Murder: The Stanford Family

Speaker: Maria Greer.