Teacher Workshop and Writing Contest

Montana State Library sent this bulletin at 01/16/2026 02:02 PM MST

Montana History Portal Teacher Workshops

Have you ever wanted to research a Montana or US history topic and share the details of your discovery with your students, including images and other primary resource materials as references? Now is your chance!

Spend April 3 and 4, 2026, with the Montana History Portal staff learning how to create various types of digital exhibits using content from the History Portal.

The History Portal contains over 102,000 items to help tell the story of a variety of topics – US History and World History can be taught through Montana primary source materials.

Select a topic, gather the details, read, research and create an exhibit of your topic. Your exhibit will be published on the History Portal website, where you can access it, and it will be available to the public as a history lesson of its own.

2026 Workshop Details

Cost: FREE! Hotel, meals, and tours included.

Location: Montana Heritage Center 225 North Roberts, Helena, Montana, 59601

Friday, April 3
- Montana History Portal tour
- Exhibit review
- Montana History topics discussion
- Montana Heritage Center Tours
- Historic walking tour of the Montana Capitol grounds

Saturday, April 4
- Brainstorm and share ideas, research, and outline creation.

A more detailed agenda will be provided for final participants.

Completed projects will earn 16 OPI professional development credits and a $425 stipend.

Registration is limited to 20 people and the deadline to register is March 1, 2026.

Register Now!

Questions?

Please contact Jennifer Birnel, Montana History Portal Director.

Get Inspired by the 2024 Teacher Workshops Exhibits

The Montana History Portal encourages teachers to participate in our biennial workshop to explore the History Portal content and create an exhibit with portal content narrating a story to be used in the classroom and to work as a standalone history lesson on our website.

Historical Picture Prompt Short Story Contest

The Montana History Portal is hosting the 6th Annual Historical Picture Prompt contest. Using any photo in the Portal collection as a story prompt participants will write a fictional short story (650 words or less) and enter through our submission form. Winners will be chosen from grades 3-6, grades 7-12, and adult. Entries will be accepted starting January 5, 2026, and the deadline to enter is February 27, 2026.

Where to begin? Browse the photo collection to find an interesting photo. Once you've found an image save the link to that image - you'll need it when submitting your story.

The Montana History Portal provides weekly updates on new content as well as tips on how to successfully navigate the site through this Highlights newsletter. You can find back issues on the "Highlights" newsletter section of our website.

Library and museum staff members are encouraged to share these with patrons by linking our content and programs on your website and sharing through social media.