The historic Livingston Depot Center opens the seasonal railroad history museum Memorial Day. The beautifully restored Northern Pacific Railroad station, dating back a century, is a remarkable exhibit in itself.
The Depot’s flagship exhibit, “Rails Across the Rockies: A Century of People & Places,” provides captivating insight into Montana’s railroad history and the grandeur of train travel. The exhibit highlights Livingston as the gateway to Yellowstone since the 1880s, particularly focusing on the Northern Pacific’s pivotal role in Yellowstone’s establishment as America’s first national park.
In addition to its main exhibit, the museum presents “The Livingston Depot in History & Architecture,” and “Remarkable Migrations,” as well as the featured special exhibit, “The Grizzly Bear Illustrated: 1828–1943.”
Ursus Horribilis: The Grizzly Bear Illustrated is curated by Lee Silliman and explores the complex relationship between humans and grizzly bears on the early western frontier. Through works by 19th and 20th-century artists like Karl Bodmer and Frederic Remington, the exhibit reflects an era in the tangled relationship between humans and this iconic symbol of the American West. A gallery tour and illustrated lecture will bring the exhibit to life on June 14th at 10am.
The Beast of Our Time, a 28-minute, award-winning documentary produced by Save the Yellowstone Grizzly, is an unflinching inquiry into the relationship between climate change and grizzly bears. The film, directed by Maaike Middleton, is narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges and scored by pianist Bill Payne of Little Feat. A partnership between the Depot and Elk River Arts & Lectures brings a screening of the film on June 13th at 6pm that will be followed by a discussion of regional experts on grizzly biology and conservation.
All are welcome to join the screening of Beast of Our Time and panel discussion, as well as the guided gallery tour and illustrated lecture. The events are free and light refreshments will be provided.
Livingston Model Railroad Club operates a large HO scale layout in the basement of the former Northern Pacific baggage building at the Livingston Depot Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7:30pm. The club is also open Thursday afternoons from 1–4pm.
The Depot Museum is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Monday through Saturday, from 10am–5pm. Operated by the Livingston Depot Foundation and located at 200 West Park, there is a nominal admission and group visits are also welcome by special arrangement. Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.livingstondepot.org. •
