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.

Are you signed up for the Montana History Conference yet? It's not too late! You don't want to miss this 14-mile e-bike ...
09/06/2026

Are you signed up for the Montana History Conference yet? It's not too late!

You don't want to miss this 14-mile e-bike tour through the Magic City. You'll ride the scenic Skyline Trail, stop at Coulson Boothill Cemetery, the Moss Mansion, and many other historic sites. You have not one, but TWO chances to take this special tour:

📆 Sept. 24, 1:30-4:00 pm, with former Billings TrailNet executive director Kristi Drake.
📆 Sept. 26, 1:30-4:00 pm, with guide Bill Cole, former Billings mayor.
📍 Meet at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Billings
🚲 $50 with bike rental, or free with personal bike

Register at: eventsquid.com/event/31955

Historic floral beadwork from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Montana Historical Society collections. Clockwise-Crow g...
09/05/2026

Historic floral beadwork from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Montana Historical Society collections.
Clockwise-
Crow gauntlets, c. 1920
Chippewa breech cloth, c. 1890
Chippewa vest, c. 1910
Blackfeet Gauntlets, c. 1910

An unidentified photographer captured this photograph of a dog resting near a pile of watermelons in Anaconda, Montana, ...
09/04/2026

An unidentified photographer captured this photograph of a dog resting near a pile of watermelons in Anaconda, Montana, between 1907 and 1914. Can you spot the lunch pail hiding in the watermelon pile?

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. Collected by Tom Mulvaney, collection Lot 048 features images predominantly from the 1910s-1960.

[MTHS , Lot 048 ANAC-pa.04]

We Got the Grant, Now What!? Don't miss this Grant Management Workshop at the !📆Sept. 24, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 📍DoubleTr...
09/03/2026

We Got the Grant, Now What!?

Don't miss this Grant Management Workshop at the !

📆Sept. 24, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM,
📍DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Billings
🎟️$20

Join grants manager Sara Smith of The Foundation for Montana History for a practical hands-on training designed to help grant recipients and prospective applicants build the skills they need to confidently manage any grant.

This workshop will guide participants through the full grant life cycle, from understanding award agreements and allowable expenses to budgeting, documentation, and final reporting. Past Foundation for Montana History grantees will also share their experiences managing grants, while highlighting their successful history projects.

There's still room! Register today at eventsquid.com/event/31955.

On September 2, 1880, John H. Ming opened Helena's first opera house, featuring Katie Putnam in a production called "Ol...
09/02/2026

On September 2, 1880, John H. Ming opened Helena's first opera house, featuring Katie Putnam in a production called "Old Curiosity Shop." Ming's Opera house offered Helena audiences a breadth of entertainment, hosting famous performers such as Otis Skinner, Eddie Foy, and Marie Dressler.

Located at 13 N. Jackson St., the opera house underwent a lavish remodeling and celebrated a second grand opening in October 1888, shortly after Ming's death. The Ming family, primarily James L. Ming, continued operations until 1898, and Eugene T. Wilson purchased the theater that November.

Wilson sold Ming's Opera House for $15,000 in April 1901 to John Cort of Seattle. In 1902, it operated as the Helena Theater, managed by Fred W. Gatz. By 1915, the building was replaced by the Shrine Consistory Temple, closing the curtains on the theater.

Handbill, 1880, Gift of Joe Wolff, 1983.44.01
Purse, late 19th century, Gift of R.H. Kleinschmidt, 1986.78.21
Opera glasses, late 19th century, Gift of R.H. Kleinschmidt, 1986.78.22

Gone fishin'? This F. Jay Haynes photo shows his catch of grayling and rainbow trout, circa 1900.Haynes (1853-1921) was ...
09/01/2026

Gone fishin'? This F. Jay Haynes photo shows his catch of grayling and rainbow trout, circa 1900.

Haynes (1853-1921) was known for his views along the Northern Pacific Railway route and his successful photography career in Yellowstone National Park. This is one of hundreds of photos he took within the park. After his death, his son Jack Ellis Haynes took over as official park photographer, taking over 14,000 shots of his own.

View more photos by the Haynes men on the Montana History Portal: www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/112995

[MTHS , H-05808]

August is coming to a close, but our community events aren't! Here are some upcoming SEPTEMBER EVENTS to catch. All even...
08/31/2026

August is coming to a close, but our community events aren't! Here are some upcoming SEPTEMBER EVENTS to catch. All events are FREE & open to the public, but registration is required for some events.

📖 "A History of Montana in 101 Places" Book Tour - Presentation by Kirby Lambert
Tuesday, Sept 1 | 11:30am-12:30pm
Blackfeet Community College Medicine Spring Library, Browning

🎤 1860s Vigilantism: Big Issues from the Big Sky - Presentation by Mark Dillon
Thurs, Sept 3 | 6:30pm-7:30pm
Montana Heritage Center

🐮 Montana Livestock Brands: Symbols, Stories, History - Presentation by Dan Karalus
Wed, Sept 9 | 1:00pm-2:00pm
Touchmark Senior Living

📘 Montana Reads: The Treasure State's Book Club - "Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment"
Thurs, Sept 10 | 6:30pm-7:30pm
Lewis & Clark Library

📖 "A History of Montana in 101 Places" Book Tour - Presentation by Kirby Lambert
Thursday, Sept 10 | 7:00pm-8:00pm
Elk River Books, 122 S 2nd St, Livingston

🧨 Historically Significant Fi****ms of Montana History - Presentation by Carson Thomas
Thurs, Sept 17 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Montana Heritage Center

✏️ Montana History Conference
Thurs, Sept 24 - Sat, Sept 26
Billings, Montana
For more information, the full agenda, and registration, visit https://mhs.mt.gov/education/index3.

🎤 Joseph Kinsey Howard: Montana's Crusader Journalist - Lecture by Nate Schweber
Tues, Sept 29 | 6:30pm-8:00pm
Big Sky Hall, Montana Heritage Center

To learn more and register for these events, visit: mths.mt.gov/education/Community-Events

It's time for another highlight! The Sweet Spot: Sugar Beets in Montana 🌱📆Sept. 24 | 1:00-3:00 pm🎟️ $25Beginning in th...
08/29/2026

It's time for another highlight! The Sweet Spot: Sugar Beets in Montana 🌱

📆Sept. 24 | 1:00-3:00 pm
🎟️ $25

Beginning in the early 1900s, Montana farmers began growing sugar beets. By the 1920s, sugar processing facilities were operating in Billings and shipping affordable sugar across the state. Join Montana State University associate teaching professor Dr. Jennifer Hill and The Extreme History Project Executive Director Crystal Alegria to learn about the history of sugar beets, the use of beet sugar in food production, and the significance of sugar in cultural celebrations and daily life in Montana.

The group will share in some sugar-related tastes, including a beverage, a savory treat, and a dessert! Sign up for this Heritage Food Workshop and others at: eventsquid.com/event/31955.

📷 N. A. Forsyth, between 1901-1911, MTHS , ST 001.185

On this day in 1923, an unidentified photographer captured this view of motorcycle racing at the fairgrounds during a ‘F...
08/28/2026

On this day in 1923, an unidentified photographer captured this view of motorcycle racing at the fairgrounds during a ‘Flying Circus’ event presented by the Federated Field Flyers Inc. in Harlowton, Montana. The Times Clarion advertised the race as the “world’s most hazard and daring sport speed.” The paper reported that the “dare-devil riders” handled their machines with skill and completed their two-mile race in one minute and fifty-nine seconds. The three-mile race finished in three minutes, and the five-mile race “had the crowd on edge” with its thrilling driving.

[MTHS , Lot 048 HARLO.23]

The Montana State Capitol scaffolding of 1934 vs. 2026!According to notes with this photograph, the Montana State Capito...
08/27/2026

The Montana State Capitol scaffolding of 1934 vs. 2026!

According to notes with this photograph, the Montana State Capitol dome renovations of 1934 required 60,000 feet of lumber to build the scaffolding. Among the workers photographed on the site was Joseph M. Klemencic, seen here perched high with fellow workers, second from the left.

Would you climb up there?

[MTHS , PAc 99-27.2, photograph by E.P.]

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 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(406) 444-2694

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