Montana Historical Society

Montana Historical Society The Montana Historical Society saves Montana's past, shares our stories, and inspires exploration to provide meaning for today and vision for tomorrow.

The Montana Heritage Center is now open! Discover more on our web page: mths.mt.gov.

Next time you're at the Montana Heritage Center, try a color hunt! 🌈📷Just pick a color and take some pictures. Then put ...
06/01/2026

Next time you're at the Montana Heritage Center, try a color hunt! 🌈📷

Just pick a color and take some pictures. Then put the photos together and admire your work! For an extra challenge, bring a group and choose different colors.

Come try it out for a new perspective on the galleries!

An unidentified photographer from the Corral in Great Falls, Montana, captured this view of Lake St. Mary (or St. Mary L...
05/30/2026

An unidentified photographer from the Corral in Great Falls, Montana, captured this view of Lake St. Mary (or St. Mary Lake) in Glacier National Park between 1942 and 1944.

St. Mary Lake, located on the east side of Glacier National Park, is the park’s second-largest lake. The lake is 9.9 miles long and 300 feet deep, and its waters rarely rise above 50°F. Going-to-the-Sun Road parallels the lake along its north shore, and at the west end of the lake sits Little Chief Mountain.

[MTHS , PAc 2008-77.6, Corral (Great Falls), between 1942-1944]

Today is ! Did you know there's a bit of biscuit history here in Helena? The American Biscuit Company opened a factory ...
05/29/2026

Today is ! Did you know there's a bit of biscuit history here in Helena?

The American Biscuit Company opened a factory in 1892 in Helena, Montana. It later became the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco), after consolidating with two other biscuit companies. "Do You Know Uneeda Biscuit?" was one of its many popular advertising slogans, written on the structure in the first image.

The factory was damaged during the 1935 earthquake, but the structure was rebuilt and remains today at 1308 Boulder Ave.

📷1: National Biscuit Company building and employees are lined up along the street.
Unidentified Photographer | Between 1898-1915
[MHS Legacy Collection, 953-037]

📷 2: Child (doll) asleep in high chair surrounded by boxes of Uneeda Graham Crackers, produced National Biscuit Company, in the window at Brackman's Grocery Store in Helena, Montana.
Photographer L. H. Jorud | June 3, 1926
[MTHS , Lot 037 CB B04 F11 E03.1]

You can read more about the building at helenahistory.org/nabisco.htm

We're honored to receive the 2026 Museum Impact Award from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for our work in develo...
05/28/2026

We're honored to receive the 2026 Museum Impact Award from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for our work in developing the Montana Heritage Center.

MTHS Curators Amanda Trum and Aaron Genton traveled to Philadelphia last week to accept the award. They also spoke on a panel with Darnell Rides at the Door, Smokey Rides at the Door, and Kezia Simister about creating enduring partnerships with Sovereign Nations.

It's our privilege to be recognized on a national stage alongside other wonderful awardees!

Can you imagine striking it rich with this gold nugget? An unidentified photographer captured this image of the large nu...
05/27/2026

Can you imagine striking it rich with this gold nugget? An unidentified photographer captured this image of the large nugget being weighed. The gold was found in May 1865 in Nelson Gulch, Montana.

Info with the photo: "Taken out of Nelson Gulch in May 1865, by H. Maxwell, Joe Rowland, Joe Ramsdell. Forked out by Dr. J. M. Blake. Information from Geo. B. Foote." The photo was taken July 3, 1865, likely in Helena.

[MTHS , Lot 026 B4F12.05a]

in 1864, Montana officially became a U.S. territory. The mining boomtown of Bannack, pictured here, was chosen as the ...
05/26/2026

in 1864, Montana officially became a U.S. territory. The mining boomtown of Bannack, pictured here, was chosen as the first territorial capital, before moving to Virginia City in 1865, then to Helena in 1875.

It was not until November 8, 1889, that Montana was officially granted statehood. After a contentious (and scandalous) race between Anaconda and Helena in 1894, Helena won the runoff election to become the permanent state capital. But that's a story for another day!

[Montana Places Photomechanical Postcard Collection, Between 1908-1930, PC 001 BANN-vi.02] Image based on MHS Legacy Photograph Collection, Photo No. 940-694, which was likely taken before 1900.

Here's a sneak peek of some of the upcoming events! 🎉Recurring Tours:• Montana Heritage Center Gallery Tours (Homeland...
05/25/2026

Here's a sneak peek of some of the upcoming events! 🎉

Recurring Tours:
• Montana Heritage Center Gallery Tours (Homeland Gallery, Charles M. Russell Gallery, The Most Difficult Journey:
Poindexter Collection of Modern Art)
• Montana State Capitol Tours
• Original Governor’s Mansion Tours
• Pedaling Through the Past: Bert and Ernies Pub Trolley Tour
• Helena’s Tour Train — Last Chance Tour Train (Helena, MT)
• On-Your-Own Tours (Historic Helena Tours, Julian Anderson Cocktail Trail)

Music:
• Helena's Alive at Five on the Capitol Lawn
• Live on the Gulch Concert Series — Ten Mile Creek Brewery
• America's 250 Launch Celebration — Montana 250
• Tribal Blessing and Magpie Singers

& More:
• Indigenous Art Market and Fashion Show
• Panels, workshops, and art displays

Some events require registration. Sign up early to guarantee your spot! View the full calendar of events at mths.mt.gov/historyfest

We're extending our Sunday hours, starting this weekend! Now through Labor Day, the Montana Heritage Center will be open...
05/23/2026

We're extending our Sunday hours, starting this weekend! Now through Labor Day, the Montana Heritage Center will be open for an additional two hours every Sunday.

Come explore! Located at 225 N. Roberts St. in Helena, Montana, across the street from the State Capitol Building.

MUSEUM HOURS (through Labor Day):
Monday - Wednesday & Friday: 9 am-5 pm
Thursday: 9 am-6:30 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10 am-5 pm

LIBRARY & ARCHIVES REFERENCE ROOM HOURS:
Tuesday - Friday: 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm
*Closed Mondays, weekends, and federal holidays.

Norm's Cafe by The Dive Bakery HOURS:
Monday - Friday: 7 am-4 pm
Saturday: 10 am-3 pm
*Closed Sundays

The Gift Shop at the Montana Heritage Center HOURS:
Monday - Wednesday: 10 am-5 pm
Thursday: 10 am-6:30 pm
Friday - Saturday: 10 am-5 pm
Sunday: 1 pm-5 pm

An unidentified photographer shared this view with Miss Edna Billings of Detroit, Michigan, in 1910. The photographer re...
05/22/2026

An unidentified photographer shared this view with Miss Edna Billings of Detroit, Michigan, in 1910. The photographer referred to the home as “probably the most unique residence ever seen anywhere in the world.” Before being “banked up,” the home was originally a small shack located "on the way to Timber Butte" near Butte, Montana. At the time the photograph was taken, an unidentified woman and her dog lived in the shack.

This image is one in a collection of over 10,000 real photo postcards documenting the people, landscapes, natural landmarks, and built environments of Montana’s cities, towns, and rural areas predominantly from the 1910s-1960 collected by Tom Mulvaney that can be found in collection Lot 048.

[MTHS , Lot 048 BUTT-bu.46]

05/21/2026

Ever wonder how these iconic Charlie Russell artworks stay looking fresh? That’s where Sam, our Museum Facilities Specialist, comes in!

Cleaning is an essential step in the conservation process, and Sam says dusting the paintings is one of his favorite parts of the job. He uses vertical brush strokes to gently remove the layer of dust (without removing the paint), while holding a vacuum below. The vacuum has a mesh cover so he can monitor what comes off. It takes a careful eye and a steady hand, and it's meant to be a slow process.

Come see these beautiful artworks for yourself!

📍The Montana Heritage Center is located at 225 N. Roberts St. in Helena.

HOURS:
Monday-Wednesday & Friday: 9 am-5 pm
Thursday: 9 am-6:30 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10 am-5 pm

Address

225 N Roberts Street
Helena, MT
59601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5am
Thursday 9am - 6:30pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

(406) 444-2694

Website

https://montanamuseum.org/

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