Northwest Montana History Museum hosts holiday open house

Local author and historian John Fraley will be special guest at the Northwest Montana History Museum’s annual open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.

Fraley will be signing copies of his new historic collection, “Heroes of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.”

Fraley traces the lives and times of past and present heroes of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, from old-timers like Joe Murphy, to Smoke Elser, and on to the present. Over the past century, these heroes have ridden, packed and hiked from one end of the Bob to the other. Ride along on horse and mule treks and wrecks, and discover the sport of trout wrangling. Meet the fluorescent hunter, White River Sue, and the black-clad backpacker. Battle packrats, fish-eating deer, tricky bears, and a tree-hugging criminal.

Read about a dog rescue, smokejumper adventures, kids raised in the wilderness, and the first study of grizzlies in the Bob. Witness a tense moose-lassoing rodeo, and meet a backcountry rooster named Bob Marshall, the first live chicken to attempt a traverse of the Bob.

Fraley’s other books include 2018’s “Rangers, Trappers, and Trailblazer” and last year’s re-release of “A Woman’s Way West.” All three books are available in the Museum's Schoolbell Books & Gifts,

Admission to the event is free, and for this evening only, the Northwest Montana Historical Society is offering 10% off everything in the gift shop, including Fraley’s books.

There will all be free and festive holiday ice-cream floats, offered to visitors in a safe and socially-distant setting.

The Northwest Montana History Museum is located at 124 Second Ave. E. in Kalispell. The museum can be reached Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 406-756-8381.