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?
CEMETERY SYMBOLISM WORKSHOP
Join Crystal Alegria, Executive Director of The Extreme History Project and Mark Johnson, Historian & Associate Professor at University of Notre Dame, for an informative and comprehensive look at symbols, meaning, and burial practices found throughout Montana.
Four Office of Public Instruction (OPI) credits are available. Participants can request a credit form upon arrival at the masterclass.
A Day of Learning & Discovery
Begin the day in the classroom with our expert presenters as they guide you through the history and significance of Montana's burial traditions, symbols, and memorial practices.
After the morning session, we'll provide lunch before heading to Benton Avenue Cemetery for a hands-on learning experience. Put your new knowledge to the test during an identification activity as you explore the cemetery and examine its historic markers and symbols.
Afterlife Party
We'll round out the day with an Afterlife Party at The Montana Club. Join fellow participants and presenters for an opportunity to continue the conversation, share what you've learned, and celebrate a fascinating day of Montana history.
Come curious. Leave with a deeper understanding of the stories, symbols, and traditions found in Montana's cemeteries.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
When: July 18, 2025 from 11:00am to 4:00pm
Where: Lewis and Clark Library, Large Community Room (120 S Last Chance Gulch St, Helena, MT 59601)
Price: $65: includes lunch and workshop materials
Workshop 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.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive workshop updates and be sure check out our Cemetery Preservation page for further resources!
