Join us for our annual Gift Shop Holiday Open House on Second Saturday, December 14 from 12pm-5pm! Shop for a wide variety of Made in Montana gifts and Montana books right here on Machinery Row. During the Open House, take an additional 20% off sale items. A purchase in the Gift Shop helps support our mission to preserve and share the rich heritage of North Central Montana. Don't forget that members of The History Museum & Research Center also receive a discount on regular purchases, starting at 10%.

Local women’s a cappella group Sound of the Falls returns to The History Museum with a special performance, Christmas Carols, in the Ozark Club at 12:30pm with free admission.

At 1pm, author Carol Bradley will give a captivating presentation of her new book, "Twisting in Air: The Sensational Rise of a Hollywood Falling Horse," in the Ozark Club event room.

In "Twisting in Air," Bradley chronicles the fascinating history of stunt horses in Hollywood, from the dark early days of inhumane treatment to the development of specialized "falling horses" trained to tumble safely on command. This free admission presentation will explore the gritty and glittery era of Western movies, where an extraordinary group of horses made cinematic magic possible. Bradley will share behind-the-scenes stories from iconic Western films, highlighting the unique bond between stunt riders and their horses. The story of Cocaine is detailed here, a thoroughbred-quarter horse mix who overcame a debilitating injury to become one of Hollywood's most sought-after falling horses. Coke’s work included doubling for John Wayne's horse Dollor and appearing in numerous John Ford-directed Westerns. Bradley's presentation will offer a unique glimpse into the world of Hollywood stunt work, animal welfare, and the art of filmmaking.

Carol Bradley was a newspaper reporter in Tennessee, New York, Washington D.C. and Montana. After studying Animal Law as a Nieman fellow at Harvard, she began writing about animals in the U.S. Twisting in Air is her third book. She lives in Great Falls with her husband and two rescued dogs. She currently serves as Board President of The History Museum & Research Center. Find out more at www.carolbradley.com