Upper Swan Valley Historical Society – Wranglers, Dudes and Homesteaders Oral History Project

The Upper Swan Valley Historical Society used MHF funds to complete the documentary entitled: “Wranglers, Dudes, and Homesteaders: Stories from Montana’s Swan Valley Lodges.” The video focused on the 100 year history of three historical lodges: Gordon Ranch, Holland Lake Lodge, and Lindbergh Lake Lodge. Many of the interviews for the film were with old-timers who are articulate story tellers. The documentary included several early outfitters who packed into the Bob Marshall Wilderness as early as 1936, as well as descendants of the caretakers of the Gordon Ranch from the 20’s and 30’s, which was the first continuously occupied homestead in the Swan Valley dating from the late 1800’s.

This project was a great way to capture an important part of the history of the Swan Valley. The video is used in the Swan Valley Museum and was posted to YouTube.