History museum hosts its annual open house

The Northwest Montana History Museum is hosting its fourth annual Holiday Open House Wednesday, Dec. 15, featuring local author and historian John Fraley who will be signing copies of his new re-release“Wild River Pioneers.”

From its headwaters, the Middle Fork of the Flathead River flows 92 wild and scenic miles through the Bob Marshall and Great Bear wildernesses and alongside Glacier National Park. It also flows through history, carrying the stories of explorers, trappers, prospectors, railroad builders and train robbers, moonshiners, hoteliers, horse packers, wilderness rangers and more. “Wild River Pioneers” is Fraley’s collection of true tales about shootouts, grizzly bear attacks, a murder (and a hanging), secret caves, fortunes won and lost, a wily Josephine Doody bootlegging in Glacier National Park, and an ice cream-eating pet bear.

Fraley will be signing his books at the museum’s Schoolbell Books & Gifts from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 15. His other books include 2018’s “Rangers, Trappers, and Trailblazers,” 2019’s re-release of “A Woman’s Way West” and last year’s “Heroes of the Bob Marshall Wilderness.” All his books are available in the gift shop, so this is everyone’s chance to pick up an autographed copy. During the open house, the museum is offering 10% off everything in Schoolbell Books & Gifts, including Fraley’s books.

In addition, the museum’s two newest exhibitions, “Tales of Ten Objects: Objects of Progress from the 1910s” and “Glories, Chores, and Hardships,” are also scheduled to premier Dec. 15. The halls will be decked out in their holiday best, and Christmas cookies will be served. The event is free to attend.