Teddy Roosevelt opens museum season

The Heritage Museum will host a Humanities Montana Speakers Bureau program, “A Visit with Teddy Roosevelt,” with Arch Ellwein June 1, the museum’s 2013 opening day.

The presentation offers the audience a chance to meet the vibrant 26th president of the United States. Even Roosevelt’s critics admired the man who took on the corporate trusts, charged up San Juan Hill, defied the party “bosses,” built the Panama Canal, defined conservation and won a Nobel Peace Prize.

Hear his views on conservation, agriculture and democracy, all shaped by his Western experience. Portrayed by Ellwein, Roosevelt talks of his experiences in Montana as a rancher and sportsman. Following his “press conference,” the actor/historian will come out of character for further discussion.

Ellwein, a performer and historian from Sydney, has toured a dozen states portraying Roosevelt. A Montana native, Ellwein was a well-known radio broadcaster in northeastern Montana and North Dakota before retiring.

The program starts at 1 p.m. in the Beebe Room of the Heritage Museum, 34067 U.S. 2, Libby. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Partial funding for the Speakers Bureau program is provided by a legislative grant from Montana’s Cultural Trust and from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The museum will open at 10 a.m. June 1, and programs, demonstrations and activities will start soon after.

The cookhouse will be serving burgers, cold drinks, pie and more. A complete schedule of events and times will be available on the website, www.libbyheritagemuseum.org.

For more information, call the Heritage Museum at (406) 293-7521.