Rendezvous is French in origin meaning a prearranged time and place to meet. During the fur trapping heyday of 1825 - 1840, a rendezvous was an annual summer gathering, weeks long for mountain men, Indians and traders. Furs were sold and supplies bought for the following trapping season.
In reality, rendezvous meant and still means much more. Today, hearty mountain men and women take inspiration from their forefathers, competing in games and trials of skill to test their mettle against the frontier.
Rendezvous, the new exhibit from the Northwest Montana History Museum, is meant to explore and celebrate these gatherings past and present. The exhibition was developed in partnership with the Bad Rock Settlement Museum in Columbia Falls. Bad Rock Museum proprietor and true Mountain man Stu Sorensen has lent numerous artifacts from his collection as well as his expertise to this exhibition. This one-of-a-kind display will be on exhibit until spring of 2020, but will have a Grand Opening Reception on Wednesday, November 20th, from 5 to 8 pm!
At 6:00pm, Stu Sorensen will demonstrate some finely-honed trapper skills such as using flint to make a fire and loading a black powder musket, all while wearing a mountain man ensemble. Light refreshments will be served, including some that have been specially selected to fit the evening's theme: tea, jerky, and sourdough. This is a family-friendly event and absolutely free to attend; all are invited to the "rendezvous" at the Northwest Montana History Museum!