Montana Museum Solves Mystery of Vintage Valentines

O'Fallon Historical Museum uses social media to identify couples in old photos

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The O'Fallon Historical Museum in Baker, Montana has launched a 'Mystery Valentine' series on Facebook and Instagram, asking the public to help identify the couples in old, unidentified photos. So far, the museum has been able to identify six out of the 12 mystery valentines shared, with the community providing valuable clues and personal connections to the photos. The museum is also highlighting 'Fallon County Love Stories' featuring well-known local couples.

Why it matters

This community-driven effort not only solves historical mysteries, but also helps preserve the town's history and foster connections among residents. As small towns face challenges of changing demographics and loss of local culture, initiatives like this can help keep a community's heritage alive.

The details

Museum curator Vaughn Zenko has been posting the mystery valentines on social media, and the response from the community has been overwhelming. Residents have been quick to identify their grandparents, great-grandparents, and other local figures in the old photos. The museum has also launched a 'Fallon County Love Stories' series, featuring wedding photos and stories of well-known couples from the area.

  • The 'Mystery Valentine' series launched earlier this month on the museum's Facebook and Instagram pages.
  • The series will end on Valentine's Day (February 14, 2026).

The players

Vaughn Zenko

The curator of the O'Fallon Historical Museum who is leading the 'Mystery Valentine' and 'Fallon County Love Stories' initiatives.

Molly Williams

A woman who recognized herself in one of the mystery valentine photos shared by the museum.

Lonny and Margo Mitchell

A couple identified by the community in one of the mystery valentine photos.

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What they’re saying

“We're getting a little closer.”

— Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator (KFYR-TV)

“The interactions between the community have been incredible.”

— Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator (KFYR-TV)

“One the other day— the wedding was in 1888. We had that photo, but we didn't know who it was, but it didn't take long. It was a day before somebody was like, 'That's my grandpa,' or 'That's my great-grandpa.' And then we were able to find more details, and they were able to share some stories about how the couple met and how they got to Baker.”

— Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator (KFYR-TV)

What’s next

The museum will continue sharing 'Fallon County Love Stories' through the month of February.

The takeaway

This community-driven effort to identify mystery valentines not only solves historical puzzles, but also helps preserve the town's heritage and foster connections among residents, which is especially important for small towns facing challenges of changing demographics and loss of local culture.