Bozeman Magazine

A Vertical History of the West: Devils Tower, Bear Lodge, Empire, and the Rise of American Climbing with Michael Reidy  One of the Rosenberry-Donohue Lectures on the American West Established in 1906 as our first National Monument, Devils Tower is a geological wonder. Its human history can tell us a lot about our fascination with seemingly mystical landscapes, our initial contemplation of deep time, and our modern ideas of wilderness. It also reveals a more hidden history of nationalism, empire, and Indigenous dispossession of land. Reidy will go through the surprising history of climbing at Devils Tower National Monument, from its initial first ascent through its more recent explosion in popularity. This lecture will reveal how this remarkable monument represents the history of the rise of American climbing more broadly, but also how Devils Tower can stand in for many other contested vertical geographies in the West, where more than just climbers are on the rise. Speaker Bio Professor Michael Reidy teaches in the History of Philosophy department at Montana State University. His research focuses on the history of science, exploration, and mountaineering. An award-winning professor, Reidy has taught students at MSU for over a decade about history, science, and human interaction with the natural world.   Hager Auditorium  Included with membership, $5/non-member  Registration is required