The goal of this book is two-fold. First, for Montana's Daughters of the American Revolution, it is a permanent record of its 115+ years of visibly marking the state's important historic sites. Second, for lovers of Montana history, the book provides a rare look at the stories (and back-stories) behind these bronze and granite sentinels of our past.
As prominent DAR member Laura Tolman Scott explained in 1929,
"We are living in the period of Montana's development when we are becoming conscious that we have a history. A history made up of enchanting tales more fascinating than fiction, and landmarks holding far greater glamour than the older shrines of the east."
In reading this book, you will learn:
The year DAR started its "marking of historic sites" program
Which DAR chapter bankrupted itself installing a marker in 1925
The marker dedication ceremonies that drew audiences of 1,000 and more
The seven historic forts included in DAR's markers program
When in the early 1900s the first marker was dedicated ... and the date of the most recent
In addition to detailing the history of the 35 individual DAR markers that remain, the 250-page book also provides photographs (both current and historic), the markers' GPS coordinates, and references that will be of interest to those who enjoy...or study...Montana's history. The final two chapters describe DAR's historic markers that have been lost to time and Montana DAR's "other commemorations," including those in New York, Washington D.C., and high up in the Continental Divide at Lemhi Pass, straddling Idaho and Montana.