Join us for our next lecture on October 21, 6pm at the Bozeman Public Library with presenter, Crystal Alegria. Crystal will explore how communities in Montana confronted death during early settlement. This presentation delves into the diverse funeral practices, mourning customs, and burial traditions that took root in the region from the mid-1800s through the early 20th century. Drawing from historical records, Crystal will examines how Montanans honored their dead. From hastily-dug frontier graves to the rise of formal cemeteries and mourning traditions, this talk sheds light on the rituals of grief, remembrance, and resilience in a place where life and death were often inseparable companions.
Crystal is the Director of The Extreme History Project and a public historian with over two decades of experience in historical interpretation, archaeology, and community-based history projects. She co-founded The Extreme History Project to make history more accessible and engaging to the public and has worked extensively on uncovering and sharing Montana’s rich and complex past.