Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center

Wow! Quite a party the L&C folks threw today! As promised, the baby bison (two of ‘em!) made an appearance - pretty awesome. Unfortunately, I arrived too late to see the other critters, but it was great to see the displays and attractions: demonstrations of guns, tipis and pelts, games for kids, live music, food. I’m no expert, but it sure looked like a good turnout, too - lots and lots of people, and it sure seemed like everybody was having a good time. And for the first time, I explored the lower part of the Center, and was quite impressed - can’t wait to go back for a more thorough visit.

Here’s a few pix from today - as always, just click to see ‘em all and in full-size. If you visited the Center today, what was your favorite part?

May 4, 2008 | Filed Under history, events, animals | Leave a Comment

L&C IC Anniversary

Today is the day! The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center will celebrate ten years with a party for everyone: free admission, live animals, food & drink, etc. Check it out:

Read The Whole Thing >>>

May 4, 2008 | Filed Under history, events, animals | Leave a Comment

Cascade County History Museum

WOW. I’ve driven by it, wondered about it, thought about checking it out…and on Friday I finally did visit the Cascade County History Museum - and it was great. There are scores of items on display detailing the history of Cascade County - including Great Falls, Stockett, Tracy, Ulm, the Smelter, Tribal Americans, historic buildings, sports, medicine, education, and much more. So many pictures, too - absolutely fascinating to see life in Cascade County stretching back over 100 years.

(click anywhere on the pix to see them all full-size!)

There’s also a section devoted to “traveling” exhibits that changes periodically - right now there’s quilts hanging on the wall of this section, all with the theme of (I think) Variety Is The Spice Of Life. My favorite quilt was titled “The Spies Of Life” and featured Napoleon Solo and Ilya Kuryakin, aka the men from U.N.C.L.E. Heh.

And what would a museum be without a great gift shop? This one has hundreds of books about the history, culture, and people of Cascade County and Montana; and of course pretty cool souvenirs and trinkets. Also in this section is another “rotating” feature; currently on display and for sale is book and box art.

By the time we were done wandering and admiring and learning, we were convinced: we signed up for membership ($20 each). That will get us free admission for a year, 10% off purchases, invites to members-only events, and a newsletter.

All in all, a wonderful experience - of course now I’m kicking myself for not having visited the museum until now! If you haven’t been yet, trust me: get down there!

Cascade County History Museum
422 2nd Street South, phone 406-452-3462
Open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 am until 5:00 pm

February 16, 2008 | Filed Under history, civics | 1 Comment

10th Street Bridge

I’ll admit to being a bit baffled about the “purpose” of the 10th Street Bridge project; being a relative newcomer to Great Falls, I only know about the bridge from reading about it - not from crossing it or seeing it used every day. But I do know that it sure looked pretty cool a few weeks ago, when the bluish-purple lights shone underneath the bridge and provided a fascinating purple glow to the smoke from the ~~smelter~~ refinery (oops…thanks for the catch, Wolfpack!). And luckily for us, GreaterFalls.com reader Alan snapped a couple of awesome pictures and agreed to share them here:

Thanks Alan!

December 10, 2007 | Filed Under around town, history | 8 Comments

October 30

What’s so special about October 30? Plenty! “War Of The Worlds” was broadcast in 1938. Our state capital, Helena, was “officially” born. It’s national Candy Corn Day - yummy! The following people celebrate birthdays: Henry Winkler (aka Fonzie); Grace Slick (of Jefferson Airplane/Starship); Ruth Gordon (of Scavenger Hunt); Ben Bailey (of Cash Cab); and lots of other people. And there is plenty of other stuff that happened on October 30!

October 30, 2007 | Filed Under history, blogging, people | 2 Comments

Montana Veterans Memorial

We visited the Montana Veterans Memorial a few days ago, and were both proud and humbled. It’s a beautiful place, and seeing the names of so many Montanans who served is amazing. We found the plates for my girlfriend’s father and grandfather - her father was an Air Force pilot in the 60s and 70s, and her grandfather was a Marine in WWII. We also saw the plates for Colonel Einar Malmstrom (Malmstrom Air Force Base) and Capt Shawn McCaughey (Canadian Snowbirds). There’s also a bench dedicated to the First Special Service Forces, the American-Canadian team assembled during WWII at Fort Harrison in Helena that became the forerunner to modern-day Special Forces units.

(click to see full-size pix)

October 7, 2007 | Filed Under history, military | 2 Comments

Buffalo Jump

Heard on the radio the other day that the state park formerly known as “Ulm Pishkun Buffalo Jump” is now called “First Peoples Buffalo Jump.” The reason for the name change: apparently, the buffalo jump was used by more than one native tribe - so the plural “first peoples” was chosen to reflect that several tribes used it. Learn more about the park at the Montana Outdoors site.

Bonus Trivia: the word “pishkun” is thought to mean “deep blood kettle.” Sounds like the name of a rock band!

September 13, 2007 | Filed Under outdoors, history | 1 Comment

Newfoundland Dogs On Display

The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls, Montana, held a “Newfoundland Appreciation Day” to honor Seaman, the Newfie that was companion to Lewis & Clark as they made their historic journey. My friend Kelley brought her adorable 9-month old pup, Grizzly, and along with some other proud Newfie companions, shared some tips and stories with the audience. I learned a lot about them - that they are water lovers, have webbed feet, perform amazing rescues, and are often confused with actual bears. OK, that last bit I made up. The dogs were great - putting up with endless petting and blazing sun and lots of clapping. Everyone had a good time!

Click on the pix to see larger sizes, and to see the whole set.

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Click on the pix to see larger sizes, and to see the whole set.

June 23, 2007 | Filed Under history, animals | 1 Comment

Historical Pix

Don’t remember what I was searching for a few weeks ago, but I stumbled across some pretty cool historical pictures of Great Falls - and some of our earlier residents. Corson, Stickey, and Cummings are some of the names, and of course there are some pix of Charlie Russell’s home, the Stack, and some of the Falls. Cool.

November 17, 2006 | Filed Under around town, history | Leave a Comment

“Crazy Ted”

Wouldja believe that it’s been 10 years since Ted Kaczynski, aka The Unabomber, was arrested? Sure focused a lot of attention on Montana, particuarly since it occurred as the Montana Freemen were beginning their 81-day standoff with federal agents. Great Falls, of course, was located more or less in between the two locations. I wasn’t here then, so I ask you long-time residents: what impact, if any, was there here in Great Falls? I recall that the infamous cabin was brought to Malmstrom Air Force Base temporarily, but beyond that, I don’t know much else as far as the local impact.

April 3, 2006 | Filed Under history, events | Leave a Comment

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