CENTRAL MONTANA’S HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS FEATURED AT NATIONAL DISCOVERY CENTER PRESENTATION MAY 17
Anthropologist Sally Thompson to discuss historical documents from Central Montana’s past at 1 pm, conduct book signing

American Prairie is pleased to announce a fun deep-dive into Montana history through historical documents, maps, and images via a fun and eye-opening presentation! The program, called “New Twists and Unusual Turns in the Heartland of Montana,” will be conducted by anthropologist Sally Thompson at the National Discovery Center in Lewistown, located at 302 W. Main Street. The event is set for Saturday, May 17, at 1 pm. Admission is free; however, donations to American Prairie can be made online at https://americanprairie.org or at the door with your phone using a QR code.

During this 90-minute event, Dr. Sally Thompson explores short historical narratives, artwork, and maps from Central Montana with an eye toward understanding how our viewpoints have been shaped by those who have controlled the pen. Dr. Thompson encourages audience members to arrive early to closely examine the maps, images, and documents that will be the focus of her fifty-minute presentation. An engaging conversation with the audience and a signing of her book, Disturbing the Sleeping Buffalo, will follow her talk.

Sally Thompson is an experienced workshop leader whose career in the Rocky Mountains and American Southwest has spanned more than four decades. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and has worked as an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, educator, filmmaker, and tribal consultant and collaborator. Her 2015 book, "People Before the Park" (Montana Historical Society), was a collaboration with the Kootenai Culture Committee and the Pikunni Traditionalist Association of the Blackfeet Tribe. Thompson published two new books in 2024: "Disturbing the Sleeping Buffalo: 23 Unexpected Stories that Awaken Montana’s Past" (Farcountry Press) and "Black Robes Enter Coyote’s World" (Bison Books, University of Nebraska Press). To learn more, visit sallythompsonauthor.com.

The National Discovery Center is free and open to the public Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Visit americanprairie.org/national-discovery-center to learn more, and follow American Prairie on Facebook for updates on upcoming events and programming.

About American Prairie
American Prairie’s vision is to create a vast and collaboratively-managed prairie destination that serves as a fully functioning ecosystem for wildlife, and offers visitors permanent access to the landscape that shaped our nation’s character. Already open to the public for recreation including camping and hunting, American Prairie offers visitors an opportunity to connect with nature on a truly grand scale. Learn more at americanprairie.org.