Chinook Senior Center offering presentations about local history
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This iconic photo shows one of the two C-141 Air Force cargo planes that crashed nine miles north of Harlem in 1992. Last November was the 30th anniversary of the crash. Darwin Zellmer, who took this photograph, and Kraig Hansen, Fire Chief in Harlem when the air disaster occurred, will share some of their memories of the crash and the community's response at a program on Tuesday, March 21 at
The Chinook Senior Center is offering two free presentations related to local and regional historical events. The presentations were first hosted by the Blaine County Museum in the winter. Senior center board members felt the topics would be of interest to the Center's clients as well. It was observed that many seniors, leery of the icy winter conditions and bad travel conditions, likely opted not to attend the winter programs.
According to Peggy Perry, chair of the Center's board of directors, "These historical presentations are an attempt to provide more varied services and programming for our Center's clients and the community as well. They're scheduled to fit seniors lifestyles and needs." The Center received funding to acquire some user-friendly audio-visual aids that now it easier for seniors and others to hear and see programs presented at the senior center. The Center is on Pennsylvania Street just across from the Grande Villa and behind the Chinook Post Office downtown.
Presentation marking the 30th anniversary of the Air Force crash near Harlem in 1992
On Tuesday, March 21, Kraig Hansen and Darwin Zellmer will present a program about the crash of the two Air Force C-141 cargo planes that collided and crashed nine miles north of Harlem. That air disaster occurred in November, 1992. Their original presentation was done as part of the remembrance of the 30th anniversary of the crash in November of last year.
Kraig Hansen and Darwin Zellmer were both part of the response made by locals when the air disaster occurred. Kraig was Harlem's Fire Chief at the time, the volunteer firemen were some of the first locals to respond to the crash site. Darwin was also among the initial locals who headed to the crash site. Darwin made many of the first photographs of the disaster site and recovery efforts.
Darwin was part of the local group that began thinking early on about how to honor the memory of the thirteen military personnel killed in the crash. Out of this, by the Memorial Day following the crash, the Airmen Memorial on Main Street at the entrance to Harlem from US Highway 2 was completed and dedicated. The creation of the memorial was recognized nationwide and throughout the military as an incredible feat created by a close-knit caring community. Hansen was also a member of the memorial committee.
As a side note, part of the honoring of the 30th anniversary of the crash is an exhibit of photographs and documents related to the crash currently on display at the Blaine County Museum Darwin and the Airmen Memorial Committee provided all the materials and photos for the current exhibit at the Museum. Admission is free to the exhibit which will be on display through May, 2023. Get more information at the Museum: 357-2590 or blmuseum@itstriangle.com
On March 28 an early history of the Bear Paws will be presented
Austin Haney, in one of his 1850's reenactor's outfit, will be presenting a program at the Chinook Senior Center titled "In the Shadow of the Bear Paws." His program will describe Blaine County before "ranching, the railroad and homesteading." The program is at 1pm on Tuesday, March 28 at the Center.
The second presentation in March (Tuesday the 28th) at the Chinook Senior Center will be a video made by Austin Haney last winter as part of the Blaine County Museum's winter lecture series. Readers may know Austin as the interpretive ranger for the past two seasons at the Bear Paw Battlefield south of Chinook. The native of Great Falls will be working again this summer at the Bear Paw Battlefield.
Sam French, the Blaine County Museum Director, said when introducing the winter program that Austin had spent time doing original research "about early exploration and tribal migrations in North Central Montana from the 1690's through the 1800's and will be sharing his findings." She added he would describe Blaine County before "ranching, the railroad and homesteading." An avid reenactor, Austin has done reenactments through the Lewis and Clark Foundation and is active in several other historical reenactment groups.
Both programs will begin at 1pm on March 21 and 28, after lunch. The programs will be in the main dining room at the Chinook Senior Center. All are welcome for lunch, there is a charge. Call 357-2648 before 10am for a lunch reservation. There is no charge for the two programs in March. All are welcome for lunch and/or the programs. Mark your calendar for these two programs in March.
