‘Reading on the Frontier’ book club

Reading on the Frontier,” a history-based book club, will meet Saturday, May 2, 1-2 p.m., at the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center near Williston. The program is recommended for adults and older teens, and no prior historical knowledge is required.

This session will feature “The Pathfinder” by James Fenimore Cooper. Published in 1840, this book explores the sensitive side of a frontiersman. The story follows a group traveling deep in the wilderness near Lake Ontario as they encounter hostile forces, shifting loyalties, and complexities of romantic entanglements.

Books were highly prized at Fort Buford. Members of the 6th Infantry famously fought — and ultimately lost — the right to take their post library with them when reassigned, underscoring the importance of reading on the frontier.

This event is part of the ND250 commemoration celebrating our country’s 250th birthday.

Fort Buford State Historic Site and the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center are managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. The Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and closed Sunday-Monday. Fort Buford is closed for the season. Summer hours begin May 1, with both locations open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 30. For more information, contact Outreach Coordinator Nicholas Kusnierek, [email protected] or 701.572.9034. All times listed are Central time. Find information about upcoming programs of the State Historical Society at history.nd.gov/events.