Bozeman Magazine

Missouri Headwaters State Park events

Missouri Headwaters State Park has events planned for each Saturday in July as part of the park’s summer speaker series. These talks will each begin at 7 p.m. behind the park office, except for the July 13 event, which will be in the picnic area. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chair and bug spray.

• On July 6, Headwaters will host Buck Buchanan, a Montana singer and songwriter. Since a young age, Buchanan’s appreciation of music, combined with his love of poetry, led him on the path to writing songs. In 1976, he moved to West Yellowstone to be part of a country rock band with his longtime friends. In 1980, he moved to Bozeman and was a science teacher for 22 years at Belgrade Middle School. His love for songwriting and playing music never ended, so in 1998, he and Johnny Regan founded the country band, www.Twang. Buck currently resides in Manhattan with his wife, Carol.
• On July 13, Headwaters will host a special speaker, Hasan Davis, who will present The Journey of York. York, who is little known even today, was the Corps of Discovery’s only black member. Witness the courage and the compromise of America’s growing pains from an enslaved servant of William Clark to a voting member of one of the most daring expeditions ever mounted by the United States. Hasan Davis has shared the Journey of York more than 500 times in the past 25 years and feels blessed to continue bringing his unique experience to audiences across the nation. This event is sponsored by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail; the Jefferson River Chapter of the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation; Humanities Montana; and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
• On July 20, join Montana historian Austin Haney in a journey back in time to discover some lesser-known tales and people from Montana’s northern frontier. Haney will present a broad look at a span of time and place in Montana history to spark an interest and curiosity in each visitor to learn more.
• On July 27, FWP Game Warden Sgt. Matt Wemple will address common questions on bear safety in Montana, enabling recreationists to enjoy bears in the wild safely and responsibly. Wemple’s job duties involve responding to conflicts between humans and bears, investigating wildlife attacks on humans, and educating recreationists on how to conduct themselves and be safe in bear country.

Also on July 27, Missouri Headwaters State Park will host its annual breakfast celebrating the anniversary of the Corps of Discovery’s arrival at the headwaters of the Missouri River. The breakfast will kick off at 8:30 a.m., with a special program beginning at 9 a.m. The program will include readings from the expedition journals, music about members of the expedition, and a flag ceremony.