Hayride Philosophy Walk: On Story & Meaning (*NO MORE SEATS LEFT*)
2025-09-21 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Merlin Nature Preserve, 6042 Lincoln Road West, Helena, Montana, 59602, United States
What We’ll Explore

“Interpretation is revelation based on information.” (Freeman Tilden)

Interpretation is oft defined as a kind of educational activity that places hands-on experience and thinking and meaning-making as primary (over the acquisition, say, of just a set of facts). It is also a tradition that has deep roots in the cultural and philosophical movements of the Enlightenment and Romanticism and has been influenced by such figures as Plato, John Locke, Lean Jacques Rousseau, John Dewey, Freeman Tilden, and more.
Join long-time interpretive professionals Ken Soderberg & Darby Bramble for a hayride philosophy walk on Merlin Nature Preserve & Little Falcon Farm where we’ll examine how we perceive and come to know and understand the world by way of interpretation. Using interpretive principles and sensory exploration, we’ll connect with the landscape and one another while we identify and explore meaning and connection with the world around us.

When
Sunday, September 21st from 10am-1pm
(Please arrive 15 minutes prior to our walk start time to give yourself time to get situated in our hayride wagon comfortably.)
RSVP
Given hayride & nature preserve logistics, RSVP’s are required. Space is limited.
~ There are no more seats left. Please e-mail marisa@merlinccc.org if you would like to add your name to our waiting list & we will contact you if there is a cancellation. ~

Cost
FREE (Donations Very Much Appreciated)
Other
Wear weather appropriate attire & comfortable shoes, and bring a snack/water. We’re sorry, but no dogs for this walk (due to nature preserve and hayride wagon logistics). The walking portion of our meandering will be on a flat and relatively well-maintained dirt road approximately 1.5 miles in length.
Where
Merlin Nature Preserve/Little Falcon Farm (our group will meet/park at the old Silver City Saloon location and ride the hayride wagon from there onto the preserve.)
Directions/Parking/Meeting Spot: Our group will meet at the old Silver City Saloon located at 6042 Lincoln Road West. Our hayride trailer will be parked in the lot (you won’t miss it!). Please note that the Silver City Saloon sign is gone and a part of the facade has been removed. However, the basic sturcture still remains and is recognizable. To get there from Helena, take either the 15, N. Montana Ave. or Green Meadow Drive to Lincoln Rd. Turn left onto Lincoln Road & head west (toward Marysville/Canyon Creek). Drive roughly 6.5 miles. The Silver City Saloon parking lot will be on your right hand side. Click here for google maps directions.

Hayride Philosophy Walk Leaders

Darby Bramble has invested a lifetime into educating the public and interpreting natural and cultural resources across the West. As an interpretive park ranger at Hovenweep National Monument, and Saguaro and Grand Canyon National Parks, she led tours of archeological sites and historic structures for visitors from around the world. In Lolo, Montana she worked as Program Coordinator for Travelers’ Rest Preservation and Heritage Association, where she built a flourishing education program, oversaw the volunteer program, supported the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial and collaborated with local tribes in cultural programming and the “Winter Storytelling Series.”

Currently, Darby works as the Museum Education Officer at the Montana Historical Society, where she oversees tours and fieldtrip at the Montana Capitol, Original Governor’s Mansion and starting December 2, the History Museum at the Montana Heritage Center. When she’s not working at the Historical Society, she can be found in her garden growing food to share with the community, butchering local meat, discussing Montana history with her husband who works for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, exploring state parks and public lands in Montana, or cheering for her three teenage children on soccer pitches and cross-country courses across the state.

Makoshika, Chief Plenty Coups, Lewis and Clark Caverns, Bannack — these are only some of the beautiful places that Ken Soderberg has been fortunate enough to help provide a voice for through his work with Montana State Parks.

A combined love of the outdoors (and the frightening thought of starvation if he pursued an acting career) led him to a degree in park management.

Thankfully his brief theater training was put to use throughout his 35 year career in parks. Each park has a story to tell. Whether the script came alive through the words of a park ranger he helped train or an exhibit he helped to create, giving voice to these special places remains one of his most cherished career memories.

To come full circle you can find Ken at the Grandstreet Theater these days either on stage or behind the scenes building the magical sets that help bring the story to life.

Make a Donation Here
Our philosophy activities are FREE to the community. While donations are never expected, they are always appreciated and help to keep programs like these going. Donations help to cover activity leader honorariums, implementation, and resource archiving, and more! If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution you can do so by clicking here. For those facing more challenging financial circumstances, we ask that you please try to “pay it forward” with acts of kindness for your neighbors and community.

Community Sponsor & PartnerThank you to our community sponsor & partner Doubletree by Hilton Downtown Helena.

Reeder's Alley Summer Series (RASS)
2025-09-23 17:00 - 20:00 | Reeder’s Alley, 200 S. Park Avenue, Helena, MT, 59601, United States
Kick-Back & Enjoy Community!
Join us for the 2nd Season of our Reeder’s Alley Summer Series! Nestled in the grounds of historic Reeder’s Alley, this fun, grassroots-inspired Summer series hosted by community philosophy non-profit Merlin CCC features live local music, tasty eats, a beer & wine garden, historic Pioneer Cabin tours, living history, games & more.
Dog-friendly and laid-back, this community-oriented event invites you to take in the charm of the alley & history of Helena in only the way that Reeder’s Alley can offer! Bring a picnic blanket or your favorite low-riding lawn chair & grab a spot in Caretaker’s Lawn. Roam the alley, share stories, play games, eat food, sip brews or wine, and take in the tunes. What better way to celebrate Tuesday nights in Helena this coming Summer?!
Check out the 2025 Music & Activities Schedule Here!
