'Rockstar of History': Jack Gladstone concert will honor retiring Montana historian Ellen Baumler
Ellen Baumler poses for a photo outside of her historic Helena home. Baumler is retiring after 26 years with the Montana Historical Society. Photo by Thom Bridge.
Jordan Erb, The Independent Record
In front of historical locations across the state sit small aluminum signs, engraved with 250 words worth of history. The plaques tell stories of the places that lie beyond the signs and the people who occupied them, digging into Montana’s past in a way compelling enough to attract even those most aloof to history.
Behind each of these signs is another story, that of Ellen Baumler, an interpretive historian at the Montana Historical Society. At the end of next week, Baumler will retire after working for 26 years and securing the title “Rockstar of History,” as well as a special place in the memories of Montanans.
Over the past 26 years, Baumler has authored about 1,500 signs across the state, according to outreach and interpretation program manager Kirby Lambert.
“It’s a challenge and it’s been really fun,” Baumler said, stopping briefly to reflect. Then, with a laugh, “but I’m not too sorry to not have to write them anymore.”
After starting to work in what she described as "the state's best job" in 1992, Baumler’s position expanded to encompass writing and conducting walking tours of historic districts, and educating people -- particularly students -- about history.
In fact, Baumler cites this aspect of her work as her favorite. Baumler got her start in educational outreach with the help of Chere Jiusto, executive director of the Montana Preservation Alliance.
“Ellen is here with the schoolkids every spring,” Jiusto said. “We get to see the kids and they’re always just mesmerized and really paying attention. They love to hear the stories that she tells and how she’s found the stories underneath the facts.”
Jiusto has watched Baumler sitting with students in Reeder’s Alley, while the flowers are blooming in early spring, teaching them about the world around them. According to Jiusto, Baumler takes care to find the most interesting aspects of a story, highlighting the small details that make it come alive.
“Trying to instill a sense of place in kids has been a mission of mine, and I think it’s a really important thing to show them what their community is about and get them interested,” Baumler said.
Getting people interested is something of a talent, and Baumler has it mastered. According to Lambert, Baumler can give reason to care about even the most unexpected aspects of history. He also said that based on quarterly reports and statistics, Baumler alone does more public outreach and programs than the rest of the staff combined.
“I honestly have no idea how she does what she does,” Lambert said. “She seemingly has the same 24 hours in a day that the rest of us do. She probably is the most productive person I’ve ever known.”
That productivity translates into proliferation outside of work as well. Baumler has authored several books and articles, including “Haunted Helena.” Once she retires, she will dedicate more time to the book she is currently working on, which is about the history of Montana’s cemetery and mortuary practices.
She will also be helping with a documentary titled “Born Under a Bad Sign,” which tells the story of an African-American woman who was falsely accused of murder and spent 10 years in the Old Montana Prison in Deer Lodge. The documentary could be done as early as this fall, and will be broadcast by ABC Montana.
As for life at the museum after Baumler’s retirement, Bruce Whittenberg, director of the Montana Historical Society, said they are planning to hire someone to take her place. But the staff is bearing in mind that Baumler is one-of-a-kind, and replacing someone dubbed "Rockstar of History" is no easy task.
“Ultimately we will bring somebody in for that position, but there is going to be no replacing Ellen,” Whittenberg said. “That’s not something you can really do.”
To celebrate Baumler’s time with the Montana Historical Society, a concert will be held from 6:30-8:30 today, June 20, on the museum’s front lawn. The event is free and open to the public. Singer-songwriter Jack Gladstone, of whom Baumler is a huge fan, will be performing.
The special guest was intended to be a secret to surprise Baumler, but it was unveiled early, as surprises of that magnitude often are. Nonetheless, it will be a definitive capstone to her tenure with the museum, and a stepping stone into the next phase of her life.
“She’ll say it herself: she’s not done,” Jiusto said. “She may be retiring from this particular role, but she has every intention to continue working in the field and bringing history alive for people. I can’t wait to see what she does next.”