Goals and Outcomes

The purpose of this site is to collect and preserve the shared history of 4-H in Montana. What will be the result of this work? We hope to accomplish three things:

  • A website repository 
  • A public presentation
  • A physical, museum-quality exhibit

1. This Montana 4-H History website

This website will be expanded and developed as 4-H history is compiled, and as 4-H stories are shared. It will serve as a virtual collection of 4-H history and information in Montana. You can contribute to this site by sharing your photos, stories and historical information. Ultimately, we hope this site will have an online photo library, shared stories, a Montana 4-H timeline of significant events, news and updates.

Image: Powell County Canning Club, Missoula, 1915. Unknown photographer. Elsie Carper Collection on Extension Service, Home Economics, and 4-H

2. A museum-quality public exhibit

The initial goal of collecting Montana 4-H history is to develop a physical exhibit to display to the public. This entails several phases:

  1. I have received permission from the Montana Historical Society to proceed with planning and designing a Montana 4-H history exhibit to go on display at the new Montana Heritage Center in Helena, beginning in January 2027. 
    Next steps:
  2. Develop a structure and narrative to organize the “storytelling” aspect of the exhibit. This is currently in progress, and I am working with a dedicated exhibit curator at the Montana Historical Society.
  3. We are in the process of researching and curating a small collection of meaningful and significant Montana 4-H artifacts to include in the exhibit. The artifacts will be items loaned from Montana institutions and collections;  and items that are willingly loaned or donated to the exhibit. Ultimately, donated artifacts would be conferred to a permanent collection at the Montana Historical Society. 
  4. Secure some funding to produce and assemble physical elements of the exhibit, and to provide outreach materials that will engage exhibit viewers, promote 4-H, and connect youth to a local 4-H club.
  5. Afterward, the exhibit could then become a “traveling” exhibit that could go on display at county historical museums and/or Montana State University.

Image: Dorothy and Gladys Hill, both Blackfeet tribal members and students at the Cut Bank Boarding School, showcased their project “Furnishing of a Model Indian Home” at the 1930 4-H Club Hi-Line Association Conference at Rocky Boy, Montana. Montana Historical Society collection, MHS PAc 84-59 f2.

3. A public presentation

I am currently developing an hour-long public lecture series on the history of Montana 4-H, which I hope to present at the annual Montana History Conference, hosted by the Montana Historical Society. I am experienced at delivering highly visual, engaging talks such as this, and would be delighted to take this on the road to present to communities and county 4-H organizations across the state.

Image: 4-H junior leadership flag raising ceremony. Date unknown. USDA National Agricultural Library.