Montana's DAR Markers . . . Honoring Where History Was Made

The spade was once again used to break ground for the DAR
Constitution Hall in 1926, but as years passed, the spade faded from
sight. On April 20, 1978, after considerable searching, NSDAR
Museum Curator Mr. Cato found Montana’s famous spade in a
grounds committee closet. The DAR Museum does not contain
artifacts of later than a 1830 origin, so the spade could not be placed
there. Thus, the spade was moved to the NSDAR Library balcony,
then more recently moved to the Americana Room of the NSDAR
Archives at DAR national headquarters.
In 1979, Montana State Regent Mrs.
Alta (Orrion) Pilon chose for her project to
provide a suitable case for displaying the
Montana spade. Mrs. Pilon felt, because of
its great historic value, the spade should
have a proper display case. Due to her work,
the spade is now housed in a case made of
Montana pine, lined with DAR blue velvet,
and sitting on a hand-rubbed base made of a
Montana juniper root. State Regent Mrs.
Pilon presented this case to President
General Mrs. George Bayliss of the
National Society at the 1979 Montana State
Conference in Billings. A plaque on the
spade’s case says, “Gift of Montana Society
Daughters of the American Revolution
1929-1980, Mrs. Alta Pilon, Regent.”
Montana Copper Spade in Americana Room
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