Bitter Root Valley Historical Society

Line 4b: mcintosh apple day & liquid apple night in the fall, mcintosh apple day & liquid apple night cultural heritage festivals celebrate the apple boom that helped to settle this area in 1880s to 1920s. This was the 45th apple day presented by the museum, featuring 700 handmade mcintosh apple pies, apple butter stirred onsite, caramel apples, apple fritters, and fresh cider from a vintage cider press. Over 175 fresh produce and craft vendors from around the region offer their wares to the many attendees. The hard cider festival in the evening offers locally made ciders to taste while enjoying music on the museum lawn to close out the day. These events attract thousands of visitors, supporting local merchants and exploring the history and cultures of the bitter root valley.

Line 4c: outreach and educational activities the museum is an educational venue with guided and individual opportunities to explore the rich history of the bitter root. We invite our guests to experience our history through activities, events, tours, and exhibits. We host student field trips for the schools in our valley and are visited by hundreds of school age children. Free family activities are presented every saturday morning focusing on s.t.e.a.m. Concepts and natural history. We present annual cultural heritage events that reinforce our living history and sense of place. In 2024, the main courtroom gallery featured glacier park: vintage views and pollination investigation, with interactive activities for all ages. The new homestead cabin activity room and covered wagon opened this year. Our nine exhibit galleries highlight lewis & clark and the salish people, early settlers, logging, agriculture, antique tools, and wildlife. Outside on the museum lawn, living history of the nez perce exhibit is displayed telling the story of the nee-mee-poo people in their own words and pictures.

Line 4d: other cultural heritage events the valley's diverse cultural heritage is highlighted each year with bitter root day honoring the salish culture and montana's state flower in june. The museum programs include cowboy music and poetry, apple blossom festival, veterans day, victorian christmas, speakers, and author presentations throughout the year. The museum is a passport station for three national historic trails: lewis & clark, nez perce, and ice age glaciers with exhibits to add to visitors' exploration of the past.