History event planned for Milltown State Park Sept. 5

MILLTOWN– Milltown State Park and the Bonner Milltown History Center & Museum will host a Labor Day event at the Milltown State Park Confluence (7363 Juniper Dr, Missoula, MT 59802) on Sunday, September 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a free event open to the public.

Come celebrate the long industrial and timber labor history local to the Milltown and surrounding areas. Bring a picnic to the park, see artifacts from the Milltown Dam and Powerhouse, visit a photo gallery and display from the Bonner Milltown History Center & Museum and more.

Event Schedule:

11 a.m.– Blue Shop Tours: The doors of the blue shop will be open for tours of equipment saved from when the Milltown Dam and Powerhouse were in operation.

12:15 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. – Labor Songs: Join us as we learn and sing along to a selection of labor songs led by Scott Crichton.

1 p.m. – The Mystery of the Wobbly “Massacre:” Was there a Wobbly "massacre" that occurred in Bonner in 1917 or 1918? Find out as Kim Briggeman leads a presentation of evidence and discussion on what might have happened.

3 p.m. – Untold Stories of Montana Minorities with Ellen Baumler: Newly emerging stories about the contributions of minority groups reveal a neglected aspect of Montana’s heritage. These stories open a dialogue about minorities in our communities, both past and present. African American, Chinese, Japanese, and Jewish pioneers helped anchor Montana in myriad ways. Each group made lasting contributions and left significant legacies revealing a state history as diverse and as compelling as its topography.

Dreamy’s Soft Serve food truck will be on-site throughout the event for any sweet treat purchases.

Montana State Parks will follow recommended health department COVID-19 guidelines. For more information, call or email Jess Martin at 406-542-5531 or Jessica.Martin@mt.gov. For more information about Milltown State Park, visit fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/milltown.

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