The Museum at Central School in Kalispell has announced its lineup for the seventh-annual John White Series, a series of speakers who do presentations on topics of local historical interest. The events are at the museum on the second and fourth Sundays of January and February at 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 John Fraley kicks off the series with one of the 10 true stories from his second book, “Wild River Pioneers: Adventures in the Middle Fork of the Flathead, Great Bear Wilderness and Glacier Park.” Fraley will recount how, in 1894, Lena Cunningham was murdered in Badrock Canyon, how Flathead County Sheriff Joe Gangner investigated the crime, and how, after a sensational trial, itinerant Charles Black was hung for the murder. Fraley has worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for 30 years, mainly in the Flathead area. Read a previous Beacon story about Fraley’s book here.
Jan. 25 In Steve Lozar’s beer museum on the second floor of his silk screening business in Polson, Lozar has a fascinating collection of bottles, cans, kegs, advertisements and newspaper clippings chronicling Montana’s beer history. Steve will share the story in his John White presentation, focusing on breweries in northwest Montana. Lozar represents the Polson District for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He has taught anthropology at Salish Kootenai College for 28 years, and
worked as the tribe’s education director.
Feb. 8 Will Hammerquist will speak on the topic, “Glacier Beyond One Hundred – What Does the Next Century Hold for Glacier National Park?” Will is the Glacier Program Manager for the National Parks Conservation Association. Prior to that Will served as policy adviser to the Governor’s Office on areas including transboundry water, environmental restoration, and as staff to Montana’s Lt. Governor.
Feb. 22 Brian Peck has been studying wolves in northwest Montana for more than 20 years. His presentation covers the many myths about wolves through the ages and follows that up with a look at wolf recovery in our corner of Montana. Brian is an independent wildlife consultant working with the Great Bear Foundation and Natural Resources Defense Council to bring about the recovery of grizzly bear and wolf populations in North America.
Series tickets for all four presentations are $25 for Northwest Montana Historical Society members, or $7.50 for a single event. Non-member tickets are $35 for the series, or $10 for each event. The John White presentations have sold out in past years, so get your tickets early. The Museum at Central School is located at 124 2nd Ave E in Kalispell. Call 756-8381 for tickets and more information.