'History Alive' program

The public is invited to attend free "History Alive" summer programs at the Chateau de Morès State Historic Site. These engaging talks explore the lives and times of colorful past Medora residents. The 30-minute monologues are based on original letters, diaries, and other documents, many from the State Archives. History Alive programs take place on the Chateau de Morès veranda at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Mountain time.

 August 2-3, 2025, Madame de Morès (Medora). Portrayed by Madeline Olsen, the American heiress shares a retrospective of her time in western Dakota Territory during the summers of 1883-1886 and her life following her return to France.

August 9-10, 2025 Felix Gollnick, a German immigrant. Portrayed by Donald Ehli, Gollnick shares what it was like to live in the area at the same time as the Marquis de Morès, the French aristocrat and cattle baron who founded Medora.

August 16-17, 2025, Marquis de Morès. Portrayed by Lance Rustand, the wealthy French Marquis shares his dreams of building a beef empire in Medora, the town he founded and named for his wife in 1883.

 August 23-24, 2025, A.T. Packard. Portrayed by Donald Ehli, Packard discusses his life as editor of the Bad Lands Cow Boy newspaper from 1884 to 1886.

August 30-31, 2025 Felix Gollnick, a German immigrant. Portrayed by Donald Ehli, Gollnick shares what it was like to live in the area at the same time as the Marquis de Morès, the French aristocrat and cattle baron who founded Medora.

 For more information, contact Site Supervisor Keshna DeJesus, [email protected] or 701.623.4355. The Chateau de Morès State Historic Site is managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. The Chateau de Morès Interpretive Center and home are open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 30. Find a calendar of upcoming State Historical Society events at history.nd.gov/events.