THE FOUNDATION FOR MONTANA HISTORY PRESENTS:
Have you always wondered why some headstones in Montana cemeteries look like carved tree trunks? Have you ever strolled through your local cemetery and wondered what an “Oddfellow” was, or why there are strange altars and incense burners near graves that have Chinese or Japanese inscriptions?
Join us in Virginia City this summer to learn more about ethnic communities, fraternal organizations, and cemetery symbolism in Montana.
THE VIRGINIA CITY CEMETERY MASTERCLASS
The Foundation for Montana History’s President/CEO Charlene Porsild and Crystal Alegria, Executive Director of The Extreme History Project, team up to provide an informative and comprehensive look at symbols, meaning, and funerary practices in Montana.
Five Office of Public Instruction (OPI) credits are available. Simply ask for a form upon arrival to the masterclass.
After a morning in the classroom with our experts, we will provide you with lunch before moving on to the Virginia City Cemetery. Once there, you will put your new knowledge to the test with an identification activity!
MASTERCLASS DETAILS
When: July 18, 2025 from 9:00am to 2:00pm
Where: The Elks Lodge (300 Wallace St, Virginia City, MT 59755)
Price: $50: includes lunch and workshop materials
Masterclass Goals:
Provide hands-on experience and resources to better understand historic cemeteries.
Provide high qualify information, delivered by experts, about how different cultures and organizations have used symbols in Montana cemeteries.
Make history relevant through personal discovery and hands-on learning.
Increase historical literacy, understanding, and appreciation of Montana’s diverse ethnic and fraternal communities.
Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Butte MT.
Signup for our newsletter to receive workshop updates and be sure check out our Cemetery Preservation page for further resources!
Special Thanks To
Click to learn more