Montana Reads – A History of Montana in 101 Places – online book club

The MT 250 Commission’s book selection for this month is A History of Montana in 101 Places: Sites and Stories from the Montana Historical Society, by Ellen Baumler, Christine Brown, Martha Kohl, Kirby Lambert, and Tom Ferris.

Take a fascinating journey through Montana’s dynamic history with A History of Montana in 101 Places. This book brings to life the people, battles, buildings, and landscapes that have shaped the Treasure State. From Indigenous lands to iconic structures of the modern era, this collection reveals how Montana has been continuously remade by its inhabitants.

• Explore a diverse mix of historic sites, from battlefields to schoolhouses, all reflecting Montana’s cultural and political evolution.
• Essays from renowned historians and photographers, including Ellen Baumler, Martha Kohl, and Kirby Lambert.
• Beautifully illustrated with original and historical photography that captures Montana’s unique architectural and cultural landscape.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply love Montana, this book is an essential addition to your collection. Perfect for anyone wanting to understand the state’s rich, complex story through its landmark sites.

Please register here to receive the Zoom link for the meeting or to attend in person at the Lewis and Clark Library in Helena. You will receive the link in the automatic confirmation email, and we will send out a reminder on the day of the event. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to read the book before the meeting.

Please join the Montana 250th Commission and the Montana Historical Society in this year-along series of virtual events designed to build excitement around The United States’s 250th birthday in 2026. “Montana Reads: The Treasure State’s Book Club” is a monthly online book discussion that will cover exciting topics and figures from United States, Montana, and Tribal history.

Each month, a member of the Montana 250th Commission will lead a presentation and discussion on books that explore myriad aspects of our shared history – from the Founding Fathers to Montana statesmen and women, cultural traditions to amazing innovation. These monthly discussions will feature conversations around the books’ central themes, seeking applications to current challenges and initiatives facing our state and nation. Montanans are encouraged to participate in any and all of these events that they find interesting, and where possible to read the book in advance.

The Montana 250th Commission is excited to share these stories with all Montanans and will be bringing in special guests where possible to further bring this history to life. Events will be held on Zoom each second Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30pm.

For further information on the Montana 250th Commission, please visit Montana 250 or email [email protected].