Special Programs

Community Philosophy Programs

Philosophers love their categories…but some things just don’t fit into a box. From community endeavors like our Reeder’s Alley Summer Series to focus projects like our “Toward a Better Understanding of Homelessness” and “Thinking About Place” programs, our special programs refuse to be labeled anything other than special.

Community Endeavors

A SPECIAL PUBLIC PHILOSOPHY PROJECT

Learn more about our 2025-206 Project

Celebrating Community & the Alley

2025 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, lawn games, and more. It’s all about celebrating community, baby!

Reeder’s Alley Summer Series Tuesday Nights 5pm-8pm (July – September).

Live Local Music
Chill Vibes & Free
Food, Brews & Wine
Living History & Games
Night Alley Market (Coming in 2025) – TBD
Community

View Highlights from Our 2024 Season

Check out our 2025 Musician Line-Up!

Celebrating Helena’s History

2025 Gold Rush Days

This fun festival put on by numerous community organizations (including us!), celebrates Helena’s rich gold mining history, showcasing the diverse cultural influences brought together during the gold rush era through reenactments, historic demonstrations, and storytelling. With activities designed for all ages, the event is family-friendly, offering something for history buffs, kids, and families alike. The event fosters community engagement and supports local businesses, while preserving and educating visitors about the city’s unique historical and cultural legacy. Activities include gold & sapphire panning, pioneer crafts & living history Pioneer cabin tours, roaming Pioneer musicians, walking history tours, art making & auctions, Stories from Our Elders, Cancan dancing, live music & food, comedy, and more.

Visit Here for More Information

An Exploratory Sense of Place Project

Thinking About Place

Urban design and architecture are often called “place-making.” Save a bit of wildland or a fragile habitat and we’re saving a “special place.” Montana is the “last best place.”

But what’s “place”? What meaning does the word carry through all those roles? Is there a clue in that old term “sense of place”? What senses are in play & when they kick in, what’s going on?

These questions deserve our shared thought and that’s precisely what this on-going special project inspired & led by Dennis McCahon invites us to do.

Learn More About This Project

View Resources from This Project

Heading "Thinking about Place" over a area with trees and benches.

Re-Centering Community as a Place of Learning Project

Community Hubs

Inspired by the unique role of human connection and community as central to critical thinking—places where living and learning together go hand in hand—our Community Hubs project re-envisions the academy by re-centering the community as a place of learning.

The project involves four distinct phases, each of which we will campaign for prior to its launch:

• Phase 1: Community Hubs – Pilot
• Phase 2: Rural Hub Pilot Program
• Phase 3: Urban Hub Pilot Program
• Phase 4: Statewide (Montana) & other Mountain West Community Hubs

Learn More About This Project