Townsend Schools Seventh Grade Visits Radersburg For History Outing
 | Author:
Victor Sample, Preserve Broadwater History
Vic Sample: MT43 News Treasurer |
Townsend Schools Seventh Grade Visits Radersburg for History Outing
Victor Sample
Preserve Broadwater History
Preserve Broadwater History, the Broadwater County Museum and Radersburg Historical Preservation, Inc. joined together to co-sponsor the second annual Radersburg History Outing.
The Townsend seventh-grade class studies Montana History and the 3 historic preservation groups felt it was important that these students learn about Broadwater County history – in particular the history of Radersburg, the former county seat for Jefferson County. Working with David Lawson, Townsend Schools history teacher, the groups arranged the outing for May 1 of this year.
The students and teachers, Tyler Patrick and Dave Lawson arrived in Radersburg at the historic Radersburg Schoolhouse (built in 1913 and used through the 1965-1966 school year). Linda Huth, the curator of the Broadwater County Museum, gave the students a presentation on the history of Radersburg. Danny Williams, Radersburg native and lifelong Radersburg community member, attended the presentation and said “It was a great presentation. Linda did a wonderful job”.
After the presentation, members of Preserve Broadwater History (Keith Kirscher, Keith and Carol Obert, and Pam and Vic Sample) provided a lunch of grilled burgers, chips, cookies and water. The students ate outside on the school ground enjoying the beautiful spring day.
After lunch (and an opportunity to burn off some energy) the students walked down to the historic Radersburg Methodist Church. There they received a short talk about the history of the church (established in 1917) and about the circuit ministers in pioneer Montana – in particular about Brother Van who established many of the Methodist Churches in the early days of Montana.
The Radersburg tour ended with a trip to the Radersburg Cemetery. Jackie Smith, a member of the Radersburg Cemetery Board, was at the cemetery and talked to the students about the cemetery and the many stories to be found in the Radersburg Cemetery. She spoke about the 100+ unidentified graves, the large number of young children buried in the cemetery and even about a few people that had been murdered. Several of the students had relatives that are interred at the Radersburg Cemetery.
The outing concluded with a short tour of Toston before returning to Townsend.
Preserve Broadwater History (PBH) would like to thank Bob’s Supermarket for donating a substantial amount of the food and supplies used to provide lunch for the students. Bob’s Supermarket is a huge supporter of school activities and PBH is grateful for their generous donation.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Victor Sample
Image 1 Caption: Students at the Radersburg Schoolhouse
Image 2 Caption: Linda Huth making her Radersburg History Presentation
Image 3 Caption: Students at the Radersburg Cemetery
