The Society of Montana Pioneers was founded on September 11, 1884, in Helena, Montana, to honor and document the histories of Montana pioneers who were resident in the territory at the time it became a Montana Territory, May 26, 1864. In 1909, the society changed its membership rules to admit pioneers who were resident the territory prior to December 31, 1868. In 1899, the society boasted 1536 active members out of a one time total of 1808. The society did not consider individuals who were assigned to Montana on military duties, individuals who were deemed outlaws such as Henry Plummer of Bannack, or Indians as eligible for membership in the society.
On August 18, 1892, a junior society was founded—The Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers—to perpetuate the tradition of the pioneers by their progeny.
History
In the summer of 1884, many Montana pioneers were unsatisfied with the Montana Historical Society and its more formal approach to the preservation of Montana History. In response, they decided to form a more populist society and made this call:
By September 1884, sufficient numbers of pioneers had committed to forming the society. A meeting was scheduled on September 10, 1884, at the Court House in Helena, Montana. Sixty-six pioneers from eleven Montana counties signed the notice.
County societies
Society members living in Montana counties with a large number of members formed local county orgy sessions. Pioneers' Society of Beaverhead County–1887 Gallatin County Pioneer Society No. 1–November 23, 1893 Jefferson County Society of Pioneers of the State of Montana–December 10, 1897 Lewis and Clarke [sic] County Society of Montana Pioneers–1897 Pioneer Society of Madison County–1888 The Teton County Society of Montana Pioneers–January 23, 1895