Hometown Helena Thursday, September 4: Montana Heritage Center

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Hometown Helena this Thursday, September 4: Montana Heritage Center

September 2, 2025


Hey Y’All,


I imagine that Molly Kruckenberg, the Director of the Montana Historical Society (MHS), is the busiest person in the whole darn state these days. Nevertheless, she is going to join us at Hometown Helena this week. We really appreciate her carving an hour out of her busy schedule in order to update us on everything that’s going on at the Society. There is, of course, the working going on at the Montana Heritage Center (MHC). It’s exciting to drive by a couple of times each week and see the progress being made. It’s been an amazing project, and it is really neat to see it coming to a successful completion.


A traditional blessing and ribbon cutting is scheduled for December 2nd at 3 pm in the Central Commons of the MHC at 225 N. Roberts Street. Curated tours for the public will follow on December 4th & 5th. There will be a Grand Opening Celebration June 25-28, 2026. Details to follow.


Molly and the great MHS staff is also working on the 2025 Montana History Conference, titled ‘A Place in Time.’ The Conference is scheduled for this September 25-27 at the Best Western Great Northern Hotel at 835 Great Northern Blvd. right here in the Capital City. The Conference will include lectures, discussions, tours, receptions, banquets, awards and other special events over the course of the three days.  


You can view the full Agenda and register online here. You can also register by mailing your check to History Conference, MHS. PO Box 201201 Helena, MT 59620-1201. Finally, you can also call Christine Brown with the MHS at 406-444-1687, to register or with any questions you may have.


In addition to all that, Molly dons her fluorescent vest and hard hat frequently to check on the work at the Heritage Center; puts on her legislative hat in order to keep lawmakers on interim committees apprised; administers the day-to-day affairs of the MHS; arranges the new galleries and exhibits; and supervises the professionals and regular, ongoing actives at the Society, including the award-winning publication, Montana, the Magazine of Western History.


All in all, Molly has a very full plate as I’m sure you can see. We’re fortunate she will spend time with us this week, and we hope you can too. So, please come on down to Helena College this Thursday morning from 7-8 am to thank Ms. Kruckenberg, and learn more about the the Montana Historical Society and the new soon-to-be finished Montana Heritage Center. Or, you are welcome to Zoom into the meeting, courtesy of Aja Rail and her colleagues at Pinion.


Jim Smith

406-949-1002

Sept 11

  • Federal Funding Changes

    • MNA, Rocky, Myrna, Friendship Center


Sept 18

  • Dr Jennifer Glowienka, interim co-president of Carroll College

  • Carroll College Theatre preview of Puffs


Sept 25

  • Black Butte Copper Mine


Oct 2

  • Benefis


Oct 9

  • City Candidate Forum


Oct 16

  • American Trails


Oct 23

  • Helena Food Share


Oct 30

  • St Peter’s Health

Announcement period is from 7:00 to 7:15.

Please limit announcements and comments to 2 minutes.

Hometown Helena - Thursday, September 4th, 7 a.m. @ Helena College & Live via ZOOM hosted by Pinion:

  • Molly Kruckenberg, Director of the Montana Historical Society

  • Cast of The Thanksgiving Play, Raven’s Feather Productions

  • Online Meeting Instructions: Please keep your phone or microphone muted during the meeting and note that your camera may be on depending on your ZOOM settings. Please "raise your hand" at the start of the meeting if you will have an opening update or introduction.


  • In-Person Announcements: Please plan on approaching the front of the room to make announcements directly to our host so online attendees can hear. There is time at the beginning of the meeting for announcements. Please limit announcements and comments to 2 minutes.


  • View Program Recording: Hometown Helena is recorded and posted at HometownHelena.news, typically within a day.


  • Hometown Email List: This private email list is not shared. You can join or update your email information at HometownHelena.news or by clicking the button below.

The Hometown Helena Team is Jim Smith, Rick Hays, Kelly Cresswell, Emily McVey, Tom McGree, Peter Strauss, Ann Waickman, Haley McKnight and Matt Elsaesser

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