The 10th Christenot Reunion was on July 21-24, 2022, in Virginia City, Montana, and was attended by ninety-one family members and friends.
If you have pictures to add, please contact questions@christenot.org.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Christenot Mill Recon and Road Clearing Work Party
A small group went to the Christenot Mill to prep for the upcoming work party. They cleared trees and brush from the access road. Thanks to Laura Clark & David Pincus, Nick Shrauger, Paul Christenot, and Al & Cande Recke for their hard work.
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Christenot Mill Work Party
Al Recke, Chair of the Christenot Mill Preservation Association, led family members at a Mill Work Party. Joining him were Cande Recke, Laura Clark & David Pincus, Paul & Patty Jordan, Joy Jordan, Preston Jordan and BLM team members Shannon Gilbert, Jennifer Horner, and Bjorn Iverson. They trimmed grass, shrubbery and small trees inside and outside the Mill area. They moved piles of fallen trees and cut branches. Thank you!
Presentation about the Christenot Mill
Shannon Gilbert, BLM Archeologist, spoke at the Christenot Reunion on Thursday, July 21st about the areas of focus regarding the Christenot Mill. She encouraged the group to write letters of support to help accelerate internal grants for repair work, road improvements and creating a bigger fire break.
Setting Up the Reunion
Everyone helped set up tables, displays and genealogy charts.
Friday, July 22, 2022
Reunion Happenings in Town
Some cousins explore Virginia City, take the train to Nevada City, and spend time with family.
Friday Tour to the Christenot Mill
Some cousins drove eight miles up to the Christenot Mill. Nick Shrauger spoke of the past, present and future of the Mill.
Note: If you went to the Mill on Friday, contact us to contribute photos to this gallery!
Drone Pictures of the Christenot Mill by Preston Jordan
Friday Dinner and Program
Cousins enjoy a catered dinner and an evening program that began with Gary Forney’s “Women and Children in Virginia City.”
Friday Evening Program – Family Introductions
Laura Clark, Reunion Chair, recognized the 2022 Reunion Committee. Families introduced themselves. We learned who was the youngest and oldest cousin, who had traveled the farthest, who was attending their first reunion, and who had attended the most. Georgie Thurber and George Christenot shared that honor: Both have attended all ten reunions!
Saturday, July 23, 2022
Saturday Morning Hike along the Bozeman Trail
A Bozeman Trail Celebration was held on Saturday in Virginia City and some Christenot cousins joined a morning hike along two miles of the Bozeman Trail.
Saturday Tour of the Christenot Mill
Many cousins drove in a convoy up to the Christenot Mill. Nick Shrauger spoke of the past, present, and future of the Mill.
Video of Nick Shrauger
Here’s a 20-minute video of Nick Shrauger speaking about the Christenot Mill’s origin, function, closure, rediscovery, stabilization, and its future.
Pictures of the Christenot Mill
Tour of Raymond House
Cousins take a tour of the Raymond House, onced owned by Benjamin Franklin Christenot. We’re grateful to the owners for the tour!
Group Photos by the Courthouse
On the Left:
Row 1: George & Rita Christenot, Wyatt, Landon, Conner, Jeremiah, and Talon Christenot.
Row 2: Al Recke, Kelly & Janet Christenot, Denise & Mike Christenot.
Row 3: Cande Recke, Nikki Bostick, Henry Bostick, Jimmy Ostler.
Row 4: Brian Bryer & Arlene Christenot-Bryer, Mary Houx, Wyatt Houx, Howard Sanders.
Row 5: Brandon & Mercedes Bostick with Korbin, Bob Houx.
Row 6: Fred Bostick, James Bostick.
On the Right:
Row 1: Darlene Ostler, Orville Christenot, Rylee Bostick with Rachel & Byron Lawson.
Row 2: Gale Christenot, Katy Gourley, Garrett Atwood, Jackson Lewis, Easton Lewis.
Row 3: Miles Lewis, Cricet Lewis, Trevor & Ali Lewis, Gwen Henderson.
Row 1: Chelsea McClung, Will Carter.
Row 2: Lorraine George, Dorie Blevins, Karen Luke, Michel McClung, Rob & Crystal Carter.
Row 3: Lisa & Alan George, Andrea Surfleet.
Row 4: Nick Shrauger & Betty McCoy, Chris Surfleet, Georgie Thurber.
Row 5: Alexandra Shrauger, Camryn Shrauger, Brad Thurber, Mark Thurber.
Row 6: Tyler Shrauger, Caden Shrauger, Pam & Jason Shrauger.
Saturday Silent Auction and Dinner
Saturday Evening Program
Events for the evening included the one-act play, “The Christenot Wagon Train” based on the diaries of Thomas Creigh who travelled with the Christenot family over the Bozeman Trail. Also, family introductions and since we had new attendees this night, we asked again who was attending their first reunion and so on. Nick Shrauger honored Bill Neal, Geologist, and Cille Patten, who helps him with graphics in his books. Nick shared stories about each branch of the family relevant to who was attending. Al Recke and Laura Clark gave a recap of Shannon Gilbert’s talk about the Mill from Thursday, and Al was honored for this more than fifteen years as head of the Christenot Mill Preservation Association. Then, Jeremiah Christenot shook open some wallets at the Live and Loud Auction, which closed out the evening.
Sunday, July 24, 2022
Breakfast and Family Meeting, Legacy Council Election
The next reunion will be July 24-27th, 2025
Farewell until next time!
