Historian for the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base Troy A. Hallsell will present his research on the urban woodlands in our community at The History Museum on the Second Saturday in August.  Hallsell examines the roles parks and trees played in the early development of Great Falls, Montana from 1883-1916. From the beginning founder Paris Gibson understood that in order to build a booming industrial center on the Great Plains his new town required an abundance of parks, trees, and green spaces. By leveraging the reform-minded ideas of the Progressive Era, he built a town that anticipated and sought to address many of the ills that plagued cities during this period. The park and tree development during Great Falls' early years illustrates how Progressive Era beliefs and practices shaped today's Great Falls and demonstrates how aspects of the era's reform policies remain influential for modern-day residents.

Troy Hallsell, PhD, is a historian of cities and the American West. He is also member of the Cascade County Historical Society's Board of Directors.  This Wealth of Woodland in the Desert: Parks & Trees in Great Falls, Montana’s Early Development first appeared as an article in the Montana Magazine of Western History published by the Montana Historical Society last fall.  Hallsell hosts a podcast for New Books in the America West, a channel on the New Books Network. His book titled The Overton Park Freeway Revolt: Place, Politics, and Preservation in Memphis, TN, 1955-2017 is under review by the University of Tennessee Press.

Join us in the Ozark Club at The History Museum at 1pm on August 13 to learn more about this fascinating topic.  While you are here explore our exhibitions with free admittance to the museum and browse our giftshop featuring a variety of history books and Montana made gear.