The competition, modeled on the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, will pit object against object from the Montana Historical Society’s museum, archives, and library collections.
Throughout the month, objects will face-off in online polls that will be promoted on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #MontanaMadness. But the game isn’t limited to Facebook and Twitter. Anyone can download a Sweet Sixteen bracket from the Montana Historical Society website home page, where they can also vote on the objects they think should advance in the tournament.
Those voting through the website can enter a sweepstakes to win a one-year family membership to the Montana Historical Society, a signed copy of Montana's Charlie Russell: Art in the Collection of the Montana Historical Society, by Jennifer Bottomly-O'looney and Kirby Lambert, or a 7 ½” x 9 ½” print of Night Storm, by Blackfeet artist Gale Running Wolf, Sr.
According to MHS Historical Specialist Martha Kohl, “The Montana Madness competition is our way of having a little fun while looking to expand the audience for Montana history.”
History enthusiasts chose the Sweet Sixteen competitors from 65 objects displayed in the Society’s new online exhibit, “Appropriate, Curious, & Rare: Montana History Object by Object.”
Let's meet the Sweet 16 objects and view the matchups. For the story behind the object, follow the links in blue below.
Group A - Voting March 5-March 11
The Smith
Mine Disaster Board, 1943 (#1 Seed) squares off against the "Square & Compass" Branding Iron, 1899 (#16 Seed), both from Montanans at Work.
Lewis and
Clark Bridge Near Wolf Point, 1930 (#5 Seed) from Montanans in Motion plays the game with the Faro Board
and Casekeep, ca. 1920 (#12 Seed) from Montanans at Play.
White Swan's Painted
Robe, ca. 1880 (#4 Seed) from Montanans in Conflict faces off against Fort Benton
Weather Vane, ca. 1854 (#13 Seed) from Coming to Montana.
Elk Tooth Dress,
before 1860 (#7 Seed) from Montana Before Montana versus A’aninin
(Gros Ventre) Tipi Liner, 1875-1900 (#10 Seed) from Montanans at Home: in a style battle between fashion and home decor, which one is better?
Group B - Voting March 12-March 18
Montana
State Federation of Labor Certificate of Affiliation, 1908 (#2 Seed) tries to organize its way out of the challenge thrown down by Cree
Gauntlet Gloves, 1910 (#15 Seed), both from Becoming Montanans.
Shoe Worn by
Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin, ca. 1914 (#6 Seed) from Montana and the Nation has a crushing competition with Petroglyph,
350-2,000 before present (#11 Seed) from Montana Before Montana.
When the Land Belonged to God by Charles
M. Russell, 1914 (#3 Seed) from Montana State of Mind battles Fisherman's
Map of Montana by Jolly Lindgren, 1940 (#14 Seed) from Montanans at Play.
Letter Written
at Three Forks, Montana, 1810 (#9 Seed) from Coming to Montana tries to (paper)cut the Beaded Cradleboard,
ca. 1900 (#8 Seed) from Montanans in Motion out of the competition.
