Montana has a rich Western heritage. It's one of cowboys and cattle roaming the land, making a living and living a specific kind of lifestyle. The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center works to honor that heritage — and recognize every year —those who also promote the state's Western history.

The organization is seeking nominations for the 2017 Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame induction round. Each year the organization honors living and historical figures who have made notable contributions to the state's Western heritage.

Notes Mark Larson, association board director: "People from across Montana are invited to identify those in their communities who are most deserving of inclusion in the hall of fame. Nominations are open and welcome from the public at large.”

This year marks the seventh that the hall of fame will honor living inductees, and the 10th year of honoring legacy (non-living) inductees. The MCHF&WHC board of trustees will cast votes to select one living inductee and two legacy inductees from each of the 12 trustee districts, based on nominations from the public.

According to the organization, nominees can be men, women, ranches, stagecoach lines, animals, hotels, or anyone or anything that has made a notable contribution to the state's Western heritage. See a full listing of past inductees from 2011 to 2016, the 2017 nomination instructions and more about the hall of fame induction process at montanacowboyfame.org.

If you would like to make a nomination, you contact the MCHF&WHC at [email protected] or call 406-932-5444 prior to the submission deadline to express your intent to nominate. Nominations must include a cover page, a two-page biography, and a high-quality photograph. All nomination documents must be in electronic format and emailed by April 30.

The 2017 Class of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame will be announced by press release by July 30. Winning inductees will be honored at the 2018 annual Circle the Wagons Gathering.

Source: Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center