August 7-8, and 21-22, 4-9 p.m. Friday and 9-12 Saturday, Friends of the 1356 will be presenting images from the Ron V. Nixon collection at the Museum of the Rockies at the Missoula Marriott (the Mercantile), 125 N. Pattee, open to the public and free of charge.

We’re very excited about this. The museum has loaned us the traveling Nixon exhibition, “[a] remarkable collection known to historians and railroad fans throughout the world.” Ron Nixon lived and worked in Missoula for the Northern Pacific Railway as telegrapher and wire chief for many years, so this is a homecoming for his collection, and we couldn’t be more pleased to see it here. We’ll also have works from Mitch Dahl and other photographers and selections and artifacts from Bill Taylor’s collection. We hope you’ll come see us!

The downtown Marriott was formerly the Missoula Mercantile. Walter McLeod was president of the Mercantile and one of the people who helped Ron Nixon get 1356 given to the city, so it’s a great historical crossroads. See the telegram below from April, 1955, where 1356 is already on the way to being dismantled but Mr. McLeod intervenes.

If you have historic photography or artifacts you’d like us to include, we’re seeking submissions from the community. Please email info@missoula1356.org or stop by Farmer’s Market July 25 or August 1.

Thank you for your continued support of Missoula’s Engine 1356. Friends of the 1356 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and donations are deductible to the extent of the law. Visit us on Facebook at Missoula1356, or online at Missoula1356.org