Living History events abound this Saturday

While the common thread among historical attractions everywhere is to teach people about history, Havre's Living History Da,y Saturday, provides the opportunity to experience the area's history come to life as well.

Living History brings together efforts at several of the area's historical sites and annual events that welcome people to take part in activities, demonstrations and re-enactments that bring the area history back to life.

Fort Assinniboine

During this weekend event, historic Fort Assinniboine, once the largest military post in Montana and the U.S., will have half-hour tours all day, starting with the first at 10 a.m. and ending with the last tour leaving at 3:30 p.m. During the tours, people will be treated to live firearm and cannon demonstrations by the Bullhook Bottoms Black Powder Club and learn about traders, Mounties, soldiers and native Americans who are testimonials to our state's past and the opening of the frontier.

People can stroll through displays and vendor booths with jewelry, crafts, Montana books and more. Organizers are working to include a small military encampment on site to show how soldiers lived while out on the trail or on campaign, to compliment the tours of officers quarters, the officers' Amusement Hall, the fort library and more.

Tours on the Black Jack touring wagon, named after General John "Black Jack" Pershing who was stationed at the fort early in his career, will go out every half hour.

Fort Assinniboine is located about six miles south of Havre, east off U.S. Highway 87. In final preparation for the event, the cost of tours was set at $6 per adult and $4 for 18 and younger for the day, and the lunch will be pulled pork sandwiches with side dishes for a donation.

Havre Beneath the Streets

During Living History, displays of some of the city's old business district will come alive at Havre Beneath the Streets museum with actors re-enacting the business deals of old and providing treats.

The Sporting Eagle Saloon, the Old West at its best, will have gamblers and dance hall girls, as well as good ol' boys just needing a drink. People can shop at Gourley Brothers Bakery to purchase homemade pastries made fresh for the day. Havre's Meat Market will be handing out samples to anyone wanting a heartier bite to eat. A choice of old-fashioned penny candy will be available to buy at Holland and Son Mercantile.

Saturday's tours will start at 9 a.m. and run every half hour with the last tour leaving at 4 p.m. A special rate of $8 a person will be offered for tours for Living History. The main office for Havre Beneath the Streets is at 120 3rd Ave. Appointments for tours are welcomed.

Frank DeRosa Railroad Museum

During Living History, members of the local model train club will be running a variety of to-scale trains in the museum. This display will include not only the museum's main-floor tracks at 120 3rd Ave., but also special runs in the large and elaborate tracks in the basement.

Admission is free and model train enthusiasts will be on hand throughout the day to talk about the trains and the history of railroad on the Hi-Line.

Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump

Though many museums offer the chance to see relics and bones that have been uncovered and placed into displays, Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump offers a rare opportunity to view artifacts in their natural, found state. A site where different tribes and cultures or Native Americans had run bison off a cliff overlooking the Milk River, Wahkpa Chu'gn is a living archaeological dig that reveals cultural and natural influences through different eras.

Tours of the buffalo jump start at the jump's interpretive center, which is on the northeast edge of the Holiday Village Mall parking lot or at the Clack Museum. For Living History, tours will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A demonstration of the ancient cooking method of stone boiling will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. next to the interpretive center.

In celebration of Living History, tours will be given at a reduced rate of $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $4 for students, and children younger than 6 will get in free. Tours are about one hour long and are fully handicap accessible, including a six-passenger Polaris to help anyone who wants a ride get from the center to the tour starting point without hiking.

H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum

The H. Earl Clack Museum, which shows the area history from the dinosaur age through to modern times, is going back to prehistoric times this year, celebrating the dinosaur heritage of the area and the state.

As one of the 14 members of Montana's Dinosaur Trail, the museum will be featuring their many dino displays and the Dinosaur Trail passport stamp books. The passports, $5 each, can be stamped at each of the museums along the statewide trail of museums, and everyone who gets all their stamps within five years earns a top-quality Dinosaur Trail T-shirt.

Tours of the museum, located in Holiday Village Mall at the west end of Havre, off U.S. Highway 2, are free. It will be open from noon to 6 p.m. for Living History.

The High Line Heritage House

In celebration of Living History, High Line Heritage House, affectionately referred to as The Cottage, will be honoring the Juneberry. Along with tours of The Cottage, visitors will be treated to a short presentation about the Juneberry and its importance in the area culture, diet and fauna, and those participating will enjoy free, homemade, Juneberry mini muffins.

The Cottage is located at 132 3rd St. Tours will begin at 10 a.m., with tours every hour on the hour with the last tour departing at 5 p.m. Cost for the presentation and tour is $8 for adults, $4 for children 10 years and under.

Public Transportation

Anyone not wanting to drive to the Living History venues can catch the North Central Montana Transit bus line which will be following a special schedule starting at 10:30 a.m. at Town Square