The Museum of the Mountain Man instituted the Mountain Man Hall of Fame at the National Fur Trade Symposium in September 2024. The first class of inductees were introduced in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Journal, Volume 19 in 2025.
Nominations
Anyone can nominate their favorite mountain man by submitting an up to 1000-word informal style essay. This is not a biography, but an outline of important accomplishments that make the subject worthy of the Hall of Fame. Criteria making greatness are not defined, but might include firsts, longevity, best, impact, fame, significant events, success, unique, best represent a group, etc. The measures that set the subject apart from their peers. Use previous nominations for ideas.
For the Class of 2026, eligible nominations will be limited to mountain men.
Mountain men are persons who ventured to the American or British Rocky Mountain for the primary purpose of acquiring beaver pelts during the period following Lewis & Clark (1807), through the end of the rendezvous era (1840). This can include trappers, traders and explorers.
Up to 5 new members will be selected each year.
The Historical Advisory Board (HAB) will choose 10 finalists to be posted on the internet for comment and straw polls. HAB will then make final selections to be presented at Green River Rendezvous.
Unsuccessful nominations can be revised and resubmitted in following years.
Deadline is January 1 of each year.
Limit one nomination per person per year.
Email nomination to halloffame@mmmuseum.com
Class of 2025
- James Bridger
- Jedediah Smith
- Hugh Glass
- Joseph Walker
- Joe Meek
Check Back Soon – More Content Coming