Glacier Art Museum hosts 'A Glacier Gallery' book signing and talk

A new book, "A Glacier Gallery: True Tales and Hidden History," is the focus of an author talk and book signing on Sept. 18 at Glacier Art Museum. 

Authors Ray Djuff, Bill Lundgren and Scott Tanner will speak about their experience writing and researching together, sharing insights into the stories of historic art and artifacts from Glacier National Park and railroad history. 

Through 66 essays filled with hidden history, curious legends, colorful personalities and fascinating moments from Glacier National Park's past, Djuff, Lundgren and Tanner cover the park’s lesser-known side. The 152-page book features 218 color photographs and illustrations.  

"As part of the museum’s mission to preserve the artistic legacy of Montana and Glacier National Park, this book connects true stories of the park with important historic visual primary resources found in museums and collections," a press release states. "Readers will discover the supposed secret to catching big fish in Glacier, the mystery behind a lonely gravesite near the Altyn ghost town, how crews battle the massive 'Big Drift' along the Going-to-the-Sun Road each spring." 

Djuff, a former daily newspaper editor, became entranced with Glacier and Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park in the 1970s during four summers spent at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Alberta, Canada. He returns annually to visit and do research for future writing projects. He has produced 12 books related to the parks, variously as author, co-author, editor, and co-editor. Djuff has a double major in history and political science from the University of Calgary. 

Montana native Lundgren found himself immersed in all things Glacier as co-manager of West Glacier Mercantile and its associated businesses at the west entrance to the park. The Lundgren family operated the Mercantile from 1946 to 2014. His mother, Corrine Lundgren, was a founder of the Glacier Art Museum. Lundgren has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Montana. 

Tanner retired after more than 30 years working for the Federal Aviation Administration, serving as an air traffic safety inspector for the final 13 years of his career.  As a lifelong railroad enthusiast, his interests lie in railroad advertising and promotion, specifically that of the Great Northern Railway. He has published articles on a variety of Great Northern history topics, including a biography of artist Winold Reiss and the story of the Great Northern’s radio advertising program, Empire Builders.  

The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the museum located at 302 Second Ave. E. in Kalispell. Admission is $10. People may purchase copies of the book in advance by contacting the museum at 406-755-5268 or [email protected]. Books will also be available for purchase after the talk. 

    Ray Djuff, Bill Lundgren and Scott Tanner are the authors of a new book on Glacier National Park titled, "A Glacier Gallery: True Tales and Hidden History." (Courtesy photo)