Lee Silliman
"Homestead Fever: Celebrating the Early Settlers of the High Plains"
in Gallery I & II
The James Memorial Art Center is proud to present “Lee Silliman - Homestead Fever: Celebrating the Early Settlers of The High Plains”. The exhibit will feature the photographic work of renowned educator, photographer, and archivist, Lee Silliman. This beautiful exhibit features black and white photographs of the remnants of Montana’s Homestead Era of the early 20th century. The exhibition will open on Monday, January 30th.
The settlers who advanced upon the northern high plains struggled to establish homesteads in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The lure of owning land at minimal cost - but at great labor - was forcefully enticing. In the face of formidable odds against them, including drought, wind, cold, remoteness, and primitive tools, these determined people established homes, plated fields and gardens, and raised livestock. Climatic conditions and economic forces often conspired against them. Many persevered, and many sold out and moved on.
“As a former resident of Montana’s Judith Basin, I have long admired these stalwart people. Recently I have returned with my 8x10” view camera to record their rapidly diminishing remnants. Their abandoned structures and rusting machinery, set against the immensity of sky and land, evoke in me a profound respect for their courage and resiliency. May these images honor their frontier spirit.” - Lee Silliman
This exhibit consists of black & white contact print photographs taken by Lee Silliman with his 8 x 10 inch view camera over six years in Central Montana. The exhibit presents views of long abandoned homestead dwellings, aging barns, old machinery like combines, tractors and road graders, school buildings, horse collars and tack still hanging in sheds, vintage trucks, wooden grain wagons, and old grain elevators. These photographs were taken thanks to many private landowners who gave permission to record homesteading era remnants on their property. The exhibit includes quotation panels which relate the historical context of the times.
An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, February 3rd, from 7 - 8:30 PM. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
