Bozeman Library

Extreme History Series

The Country Haunted by History and Ghosts with Betsy Quammen

Betsy Quammen explains places haunted by both literal spirits and historical trauma.

Ever since Trump issued Executive Order 14253 (“Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History”), federal institutions from the Smithsonian to the National Park Service have faced immense pressure to whitewash America’s uncomfortable history. But American ghosts will not allow it. Interweaving historical narrative with supernatural tales, Betsy explains places haunted by both literal spirits and historical trauma—the exact kinds of histories currently targeted by federal policy. At a time when the powers that be are trying to erase the stories of the past, it's more important than ever to listen to ghosts!

Betsy Gaines Quammen is a historian and award-winning writer. She is fascinated by how cultural views shape relationships to landscape—and she loves a good ghost story! Betsy received a PhD from Montana State University, where she studied religion, history, and the philosophy of science. Her dissertation focused on Mormon history and the roots of armed public land conflicts in the United States.

Betsy's work has appeared in the New York Times, New York Daily News, and the History News Network. She is the author of This Haunted Land, American Zion, and True West. She lives in Bozeman, Montana, with her husband, writer David Quammen, three big dogs, a sturdy cat, and a lanky rescue python. 

Brought to you by The Extreme History Project.

Lecture takes place at Museum of the Rockies, Hager Auditorium. 

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