State Historical Society of North Dakota
05/20/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Public Invited to 'History Alive' program at Chateau de Morès State Historic Site
May 20, 2026
MEDORA, N.D. - The public is invited to attend free "History Alive" summer programs at the Chateau de Morès State Historic Site. These engaging talks explore the lives and times of colorful past Medora residents. The 30‐minute monologues are based on original letters, diaries, and other documents, many from the State Archives. History Alive programs take place on the Chateau de Morès veranda Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
June 6-7, Medora, the Marquise de Morès. Portrayed by Madeline Olsen, the American heiress shares a retrospective of her time in western Dakota Territory during the summers of 1883-86 and her life following her return to France.
June 13-14, Marquis de Morès. Portrayed by Lance Rustand, the wealthy French Marquis shares his dreams of building a beef empire in Medora, the town he founded and named for his wife in 1883. Following the June 14 performances, celebrate the Marquis' 168th birthday with cupcakes, punch, and a meet and greet with the actor.
June 20-21, Felix Gollnick, a German immigrant. Portrayed by Donald Ehli, Gollnick shares what it was like to live in the area at the same time as the Marquis de Morès, the French aristocrat and cattle baron who founded Medora.
June 27-28, Medora, the Marquise de Morès. Portrayed by Madeline Olsen, the American heiress shares a retrospective of her time in western Dakota Territory during the summers of 1883-86 and her life following her return to France.
For more information, contact Outreach Coordinator Shelby Reidle, [email protected] or 701.623.4355. The Chateau de Morès State Historic Site is managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. The Chateau de Morès Interpretive Center and home are open daily 9 a.m.‐5 p.m. through Sept. 30. All times listed are Mountain time. Find a calendar of upcoming State Historical Society events at history.nd.gov/events.
-30-
CONTACT
Kara Haff, Public Information Officer
[email protected]
701.328.3547
State Historical Society of North Dakota published this content on May 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 27, 2026 at 21:56 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]