The Extreme History Project

March is Women’s History Month! At Extreme History, we highlight women’s history all year long – but it’s always nice to have a month dedicated to the ladies. This month we are partnering with many organizations to bring women’s history to you!

On March 14th at 6:30pm, our Director, Crystal Alegria, will present Activists and Advocates: A History of Bozeman Women Creating Change for the Bozeman Public Library virtually, click here for more information and the Zoom link.

On March 23, Extreme History is collaborating with the MSU Library, Friends of MSU Library, MSU’s American Indian/Alaska Native Student Services, Native American Studies, Women’s Center, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Office of the Dean of Students to bring you author Patricia Cutright. She will speak on her new book, Native Women Changing Their Worlds. For more information click this link.

On March 28, Extreme History is partnering with MSU’s Doig Center and American Studies Department to bring you Birthing The West: Mothers and Midwives in the Rockies and Plains, a book signing with Jennifer Hill. This in-person event will be held at Montana State University’s Leigh Lounge at 4pm. Reception to follow. We hope you can join us for one or all of these events that are all free and open to the public!

Our Extreme History Used Book Shop has a large section on women’s history so come in and pick up a book (or two, or three) to read during women’s history month.

We encourage you to learn about this history of women in your community and your own family, these histories are often significant and monumental. By weaving women’s history back into the historical narrative, we are making stories richer and more diverse.

We’ve decided to keep our lecture series virtual for the time-being so our January through May lectures will be online via Zoom.

January 20 – 6pm – Scott Carpenter and Lesley Gilmore – “Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘til it’s Gone: Historic Preservation in Bozeman”(with appreciation and apologies to Joni Mitchell). To watch this presentation click here.

This informal, but lively presentation will examine Bozeman’s unique historical context and irreplaceable collection of historic buildings. The discussion will present a brief summary of Bozeman’s history, along with the definitions, facts and benefits of historic preservation. We will also examine the many rumors and misperceptions that precede, or derail preservation efforts. We will look at the importance of historic preservation to maintaining higher property values, providing the best opportunities for green energy and conservation versus demolition and new construction, and celebrate the positive aspects of maintaining a meaningful aesthetic and neighborhood appeal. We will also present ideas for how individual property owners can investigate the history of their properties, plan for effective renovation projects, and support historic preservation efforts in Bozeman.

Scott Carpenter is an archaeologist, historian, and architectural historian. He owns InteResources Planning, Inc., and has a professional career extending over 40 years in the private sector and the National Park Service. Scott is a recognized expert on the National Historic Preservation Act and various state and local regulations, tax credit programs, and preservation planning.

Lesley Gilmore is a historic preservation architect who’s passion for historic preservation is professional and personal, evidenced by her dedicated involvement in the Association for Preservation Technology, the AIA Historic Resources Committee, Preserve Montana, and the Extreme History Project.

Extreme History Puzzle Exchange:
November 13 from 3pm to 5pm – The Great Puzzle Exchange! Do you love to put together puzzles during the holidays – we sure do! If you have puzzles you would like to exchange, come on in to Extreme History Headquarters (234 E. Mendenhall) and drop off your gently used puzzles and pick out a new one for free!

A Book Reading/Signing Event:
November 16 at 6pm – Murder & Mayhem in Gallatin County: A Book Reading/Signing with Kelly Hartman. At Extreme History we like to say History Isn’t Pretty, and that sums up Kelly’s new book. Quiet fields broken by gunfire, the splash of a body dropping into the Madison River, cries for help cut off into silence and the grim last words spoken on the gallows all color the bloody history of Gallatin County. Cut-and-dried murder charges, unsolved cases and questionable accusations all paint the picture of law enforcement in and around early Bozeman. From the gruesome to the mysterious, sordid accounts of robbery, crimes of passion and fatal self-defense fill the annals of the historic county jail. Gallatin History Museum curator Kelly Suzanne Hartman chronicles each tale, allowing the reader to follow along the path of the investigations and the pursuit for justice. Join us at Extreme History Headquarters (234 E. Mendenhall) on November 16 at 6pm for a book reading/signing event with Kelly Hartman. Masks are encouraged.

Gift and Book Shop Events:
November 27 from 12pm to 5pm – Extreme History Book Shop Sale – Start your holiday shopping early and join us for Small Business Saturday and enjoy a buy one, get one of equal or lesser value sale on our specially curated used history books. At Extreme History Headquarters (234 E. Mendenhall).

December 4 from 3pm to 6pm – Join us for our annual Victorian Holiday Market where you can shop early for all the history-lovers in your family. Join us at Extreme History Headquarters for this annual open house event, visit with our board members, have a cup of hot chocolate and browse the unique offerings in our gift shop, the book shop and exhibits.

With Halloween on a Sunday this year, we thought it would be a great opportunity to do a walking tour through Bozeman’s historic Sunset Hills Cemetery on October 31 at 4pm! Join us for a stroll through historic Sunset Hills Cemetery on All Hallows’ Eve with tour guide, Jessica Jones. Step back in time as you walk through this historic graveyard, learning about mysterious local legends, spooky folklore, and local history. Keep watch because you may catch a glimpse of a spirit or two, drifting through the headstones. Meet Jessica at the cemetery gates located at the south side of Lindley Park a few minutes before 4pm. Space is limited so secure tickets early. For tickets click here.

We’re excited to offer a few more historic walking tours of Sunset Hills Cemetery on October 10th, 17th, and 24th at 4pm. Set atop a peaceful overlook, Bozeman’s historic Sunset Hills Cemetery offers a panoramic view of downtown while each evening’s sunset reflects the nature of its quiet inhabitants. The early residents of Bozeman laid their love ones to rest in this sanctified ground overlooking the town that their toil and labor helped establish. Bozeman’s early movers and shakers rest here along with others whose stories make up the town’s historical narrative. Join us for a tour of Sunset Hills Cemetery and learn the fascinating history of early Bozeman. Click here to reserve tickets.

Dear Friends,
We are disappointed to announce that we are cancelling our History After Dark event, originally scheduled for October 15th, due to the rise in Gallatin Valley Covid cases. Our community is important to us and we want to do everything we can to keep everyone, including our Extreme History volunteers, safe and healthy. If you have already purchased a ticket, you will receive a refund.
Thank you for your support and please look for our future events as the Covid situation stabilizes.

As the days get shorter and there is a touch of fall in the air – our thoughts at Extreme History turn to History After Dark! Join us for this self-guided walking tour that brings Bozeman’s past to life! On Friday, October 15, some of Bozeman’s notorious citizens will return from the grave to share their stories with the public. Participants will walk the dark streets of downtown Bozeman, hearing tales of horrific murders, gruesome hangings, and salacious madams from the mouths of the dead themselves. Tours will kick off at 7pm from The Extreme History Project headquarters located at 234 E. Mendenhall. Tickets are limited so purchase early! CLICK HERE TO SECURE A TICKET! For more information or questions, send us an email at info@extremehistoryproject.org!

We are excited to kick off our 2021 historic walking tour season on Memorial Day weekend! Starting May 28th, we’ll be offering nine historic walking tours including our Murders, Madams, and Mediums: Bozeman’s Dark Side, our popular Ghosts of Bozeman’s Past cemetery tour, and our Business and Pleasure: Bozeman’s Historic Red Light District tour, just to name a few. Our tours are full of fascinating Bozeman and Montana history you won’t want to miss! To secure your spot on a tour, visit our Eventbrite page by clicking here and book a tour today!

It is that time of year again, time to Give Big! Please consider adding The Extreme History Project to your giving list this year.

We need history and a connection to our community’s past now more than ever. By understanding where we’ve been, we can better understand what’s happening today. Help us continue our mission to make history relevant. Contributions big and small are welcome and go a long way in helping us to provide you with quality historical programming, bringing history alive.

Together we can tell the story of our place, not only the traditional narrative but one that includes all the voices in the story. We ask for your support and we thank you for giving big to history. It’s easy, just follow this link. Thank you for your support of The Extreme History Project and Give Big.

Click here to view our 3-minute video about why we think history is important!