Support provided by:
The Case:
A woman in Missoula, Montana bought what looks like an old, miniature fiddle case in the Montana mining town of Butte in the 1960s. When she made the purchase, she was told the case didn’t hold a fiddle, but rather a scale that was used for weighing opium.
Could this really be an antique from the Chinese community of Montana? The Chinese were among the first immigrant groups to arrive in Montana in the 1800s. After the California gold rush petered out, Chinese immigrants moved away to find work building the railroads, mining gold, and in restaurant and laundry businesses.
History Detectives heads to Montana to find out how Chinese immigrants survived for decades in Big Sky Country, particularly during a time when anti-Chinese sentiment was rampant in the U.S.
Related Content
Feature:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Revolutionary War Cannon
Is this the cannon that ignited the first battle of the Revolutionary War?
-
Also in Expansion: 1801-1861
Koranic School Book
Why does this 200 year old schoolbook contain two translated passages from the Koran?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Suffrage Pennant
What can this pennant tell us about one woman's role at a crucial point in Women's Suffrage movement?
-
Also in Season 4
Rebel Whiskey Flask
Is this flask a relic from the historic "Whiskey Rebellion" of 1794?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
General Lee's Farewell Address
Could this be a signed copy of one of the most famous documents in the history of the Civil War?
-
Also in this episode
Goering Gun
Did this shotgun belong to Hitler's right hand man?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.
- Submit your StoryDo you have an object from Expansion: 1801-1861? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentI am tremendously happy i have come across this particular website. (14 hours ago)
- TwitterHappy Birthday, Bob Dylan! 71-y o today. Our premiere episode explores the Dylan guitar that changed R&R history. July 17, 9p/8p C. Watch! (2 days ago)
- FacebookIt wasn't until I sat in a class taught by Inez Turley at Mesa Community College that the study of the past became a passion for me. Who was the teacher that inspired you? --Eduardo (2 days ago)