Digital Exhibits
The Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections regularly creates exhibits using archival materials within its holdings. These digital exhibits highlight different aspects of Western Montana and University of Montana history.
110 Years of Forestry at the University of Montana
On March 21, 1913, the Montana State Legislature authorized the creation of the School of Forestry at the University of Montana-Missoula. This exhibit celebrates the unique history of the School of Forestry, which was renamed the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation in 2016.
Plenty Coups
Alaxchiiahush (Many Achievements), or Plenty Coups, was a chief of the Ashalaho (Many Lodges / Mountain Crows), which is a clan of the Apsaalooke (Children of a Long Beaked Bird). To become chief, Alaxchiiahush accomplished many war deeds. This exhibit features photographs and text that contextualize the life and deeds of Alaxchiiahush within the context of Apsaalooke history and culture.
A History of Campus Planning
When the University of Montana-Missoula was established in 1893, it owned no land or buildings. Today, the campus has grown to over 120 acres. This exhibit illustrates the history of campus planning and expansion through photographs, maps, architectural plans, and articles.
A History of Greek Life at the University of Montana
The first Greek social organizations at the University of Montana-Missoula were founded over 100 years ago. Today, the university is home to six fraternities and four sororities, all nationally-recognized. This exhibit examines the history of Greek life on campus.
A History of the Interscholastic Meet
The first Interscholastic Meet took place at the University of Montana-Missoula campus in the spring of 1904. It brought high school students from across Montana together for athletic and academic competition. This exhibit features photographs, programs, and memorabilia that illustrate the history of the meet.
Women Writers and Montana, 1890-1930
A number of prominent women authors wrote and published during Montana's early years as a state. This exhibit tells the story of several of these writers, drawing on their own words and manuscripts to do so.
Finding Children in the Archives
Finding children in most archives can be a challenge. This exhibit features photos, letters, drawings, and books that offer a glimpse into the fragmented record of childhood that remains amongst other family and business papers.
Glacier National Park Centennial, 1910-2010
Glacier National Park became the nation's 10th national park with its establishment on May 11, 1910. The park preserves one million acres of mountains, lakes, and forest. This exhibit celebrates the park's centennial with a selection of photographs, maps, pamphlets, and tourist brochures. It also contains short home movies created by Walter H. McLeod.
Transportation In and Around Missoula
Did early Missoulians prefer to walk, bike, or ride? Who provided carriage and wagon repair? This exhibit features photographs, advertisements, and pamplets that illustrate the various methods of getting to, from, and around Missoula.
A History of the Home Economics Department
The University of Montana-Missoula offered its first home economics course in the summer of 1913. As the department grew, subjects included household budgeting, textiles, nutrition, and interior design. In 1989, the university disbanded the home economics department. This exhibit features photographs, recruitment pamphlets, and other memorabilia that illustrate its history.
Homesteading in Montana
The Homestead Act of 1862 significantly affected the American West. People flocked from the East Coast and the Midwest to the Dakotas and the West Coast, but the future state of Montana drew more homesteaders that any other destination. This exhibit features a selection of photographs, maps, and pamphlets related to the dream and reality of homesteading in Montana.
Immigrant Montana
Montana's immigrant communities have profoundly shaped the history of the state. This exhibit features materials reflecting the experience of immigrants in Montana.
The Poetry of Patricia Goedicke
Patricia Goedicke published 13 books of poetry from 1968-2009 and taught creative writing at the University of Montana from 1981-2003. Goedicke's work often weaves together a broad range of images and themes. This exhibit draws from Goedicke's literary manuscripts to illustrate her approach to poetry as a teacher, writer, and critic.
Mike Mansfield: A Legacy of Leadership
Mike Mansfield served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1942-1952, in the U.S. Senate from 1952-1977, and as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 1977-1988. This online exhibit highlights Mansfield's leadership during his long career in public service by examining his own speeches and interviews as well as essays written by others about him.
Orchards in Western Montana
During the first half of the 20th century, orchards were an important part of Western Montana's economy, particularly in the Bitterroot and Flathead Valleys. This exhibit features a selection of photographs, brochures, and pamphlets related to orchards in the region.
R.H. McKay: Western Montana Photographer
Rollin H. McKay, a prominent Missoula-based commercial photographer, created an impressive catalog of images of people, places, and landscapes in Western Montana from the 1910s through the 1940s. This exhibit examines McKay's career through a selection of his images.
Student Army Training Corps
The U.S. military established the Student Army Training Corps, Section A, at the University of Montana (then called the State University of Montana) in Missoula on October 1, 1918. The SATC was designed to give young men on college campuses across the U.S. an opportunity to get an education and receive military training at the same time. This exhibit features the digitized pages of an SATC photograph album.
Tales of the 1910 Fire
In the summer of 1910, a massive wildfire known as the Big Burn engulfed Northeastern Idaho and Western Montana. It destroyed more than three million acres of timber and 79 firefighters died trying to contain it. This exhibit features photographs and a first-hand account of the fires from forest ranger, Joseph B. Halm.
Teddy to Monte: Mascots of the University of Montana
Long before Monte, Teddy was the first official mascot of the University of Montana-Missoula. Over time, a total of nine live bear mascots and two costumed mascots have represented the university. This exhibit tells the story of those bears through photographs, news stories, and university publications.
A History of the Student Union
In the fall of 1935, the University of Montana (then called the State University of Montana) opened its first official student union building in Missoula. In 1955, a larger building called the Lodge replaced the original student union. In 1968, the University Center that we know today opened and became the new student hub. This exhibit illustrates the history of the three student union buildings with a selection of photographs, pamphlets, and architectural drawings.
Trading Posts and Mercantiles in Montana
Who founded the first trading post in Montana in 1907? Were there many mercantile or general stores in Missoula or the surrounding area? This exhibit features images and advertisements that illustrate the history of retail in Montana and highlight traders, trading posts, and general stores around the region.
Women in Montana Politics
Created to celebrate the centennial of women's suffrage in Montana in 2014, this exhibit showcases the achievements of women throughout Montana who contributed to the advancement of gender equality from 1882-2014.
World War I Propaganda
The most effective wartime propaganda strategically harnesses the fears and expectations of an intended audience and makes them come alive through carefully chosen images and text. This exhibit features some of the WWI propaganda that was created in Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, and the United States.
Trail of Broken Treaties
On October 13, 1972, 17 UM students joined a caravan to Washington, D.C. as part of the Trail of Broken Treaties, a protest event highlighting Native grievances and advocating change to Indian-federal relations.