Capitol Reenactment March 5

March 5 might be a good day to tour the capitol and the Montana Historical Society Museum.

To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the current House Chamber in the Capitol House members will hold a special historical, one hour re-enactment from the 1913 session Tuesday, March 5th, at 1 p.m.  According to the press release:

     “On March 5th, history will come to life as we celebrate 100 years in the House Chamber. Traditions, authentic attire as well as the actual Floor Session, will be a reflection of 1913,’ Chief Clerk of the House Lindsey Grovom said. “Please join us as we visit the century old, House of Representatives!”

     The Chamber will be decorated to reflect what it looked like 100 years ago, and the House staff developed a script based on the issues that were being discussed at that time. Those on the floor will dress in clothing appropriate to the era.

     The re-enactment also will pay tribute to artists Charles M. Russell, Edgar Paxson and Ralph DeCamp, whose work still adorns the Capitol. It is the 100th anniversary of Russell’s masterpiece “Lewis and Clark Meeting the Indians at Ross’ Hole” above the rostrum that still dominates the House Chamber.

     The new wings of the Capitol were built in 1911 and 1912 and finished for the 1913 session. The Senate passed a resolution in 1913 thanking the three artists for their work in making the Capitol not only beautiful but also reflecting the pride Montanans had in their state and their culture.

     The Montana Historical Society will have a booth and display in the House Lobby just off the House floor from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with information on what were then the new additions to the Capitol, historic photographs and other historic documents from the period. MHS Government Archivist Jeff Malcomson will be on hand at the booth in the character and dressed as Gov. Sam Stewart, who was governor in 1913.

     MHS staff will have guided tours from noon to 2 p.m. of the DeCamp artwork in the Capitol and Paxson’s  artwork tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There also will be free admission tickets at the booth for the nearby MHS Museum , which currently features a major exhibit on the life and times of Paxson.

If you want to bring your class, please call Nicole at 406-444-3695 either to schedule a tour or to let us know how many students to expect.