Historical Museum Lecture Series

The Historical Museum Lectures provide insights into the history of our region. They begin in the late afternoon so guests have the opportunity to enjoy our museum and gift shop beforehand and drive home before dark. Light refreshments are provided. The events are held in the Spirit Center’s Johanna Room at the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude; located at 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, Idaho.

September 3, 2:00 p.m.
A Journey of 1,000 Miles: Searching for Living Waters
Presented by Scott Putnam

Join us for this presentation by fisheries biologist and documentary film producer Scott Putnam. He will share a bit of his life’s journey, which included spending time in many inspirational places in the backcountry, and how his life experiences have led him to work to conserve and protect the primary river ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest. During the presentation, Scott will also share some of his stunning nature videography, so come prepared to be awed. This presentation is part of the month-long Season of Creation events at the Monastery.

Scott Putnam was the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Wild Salmon and Steelhead Trout (and sturgeon) Regional Fisheries Biologist.  He retired in 2024 after 32 years managing projects concerning these fish.  One of his primary areas of focus was monitoring fish migration through the Snake/Columbia River corridor (dams). 

October 15, 2:00 p.m.
Selway: The Original Wild and Scenic River
Presented by Doug Tims

Strap on your backpack and tighten your life jacket and join Doug Tims on a journey to the mystical environs of the only river and watershed in America to receive instant recognition in law as both wilderness and wild and scenic. A quarter of a century of sharing the Selway with the public and years of research has given him an understanding of what this wild river means to us and a few stories of wilderness misadventure to share.

Doug Tims spent 27 years as a professional river outfitter on two of America’s most storied wild rivers — Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon and the Selway — before turning his decades of experience into two landmark books on the history of Idaho’s backcountry. Both of his books, Selway and Merciless Eden are carried in the Historical Museum bookshop.