Will James was, and continues to be, one of Montana’s most colorful personalities.  The writer, artist and story-teller is probably best known for his award-winning  book, “Smoky, The Cow Horse,” and wrote 23 additional books in his lifetime, the last one being “The American Cowboy,” published in 1942, the year of his death.
           
While only a resident of Montana for 15 years, he wrote many of his articles and books and created much of his art work in his studio on the Rocking R ranch on East Pryor Creek, Big Horn County, Montana.  The studio and two cabins from the ranch were recently acquired by the Big Horn County Historical Museum in Hardin, where the Will James Society will be holding their 17th annual “Will James Gather” September 17-20. The buildings will be dedicated at the Big Horn County Historical Museum on Saturday, September 19

“The Gather,” as it is known, will bring approximately 100 of James’ fans to Hardin to celebrate his life and his works.  Scheduled events include a reception in downtown Hardin, a meeting of the board of the Will James Society, a pontoon trip on Bighorn Lake, and tours of The Rocking R and the Sarpy Ranches. Participants will also be offered tours of Big Horn County Historical Museum and the JailHouse Gallery in Hardin, Chief Plenty Coups State Park and Museum near Pryor, the Custer Battlefield Museum in Garryowen, and the Yellowstone Art Museum, Yellowstone County Museum and the Western Heritage Center in Billings. 

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