Museum of the Beartooths

06/20/2026

Today’s the day! 🍻

Brewfest is happening tonight at the Stillwater County Civic Center, and tickets are still available online or at the gate - https://events.eventgroove.com/event/124895

Before the festivities begin, stop by the Museum of the Beartooths, open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. VIP admission starts at 4:00 p.m., with general admission from 5:00–8:00 p.m.

Enjoy local breweries, food trucks, live music by Charlie Denison & Groove Creek, dancing, and more—all while supporting the Museum of the Beartooths and preserving Stillwater County history.

We’ll see you there!

06/19/2026

Beer. Food. Live music. A great cause. Get your tickets now before they’re gone at https://events.eventgroove.com/event/124895

The 2026 Stillwater Brewfest is this Saturday, June 20; you won’t want to miss it. Enjoy local breweries, food trucks, live music from Charlie Denison & Groove Creek, and an unforgettable evening supporting the Museum of the Beartooths.

06/19/2026

The Museum of the Beartooths will be open on Saturday, June 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., giving visitors time to explore our exhibits before heading to the Stillwater County Civic Center for Brewfest from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with VIP tickets or 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Enjoy local breweries, food trucks, live music by Charlie Denison & Groove Creek, dancing, and more—all while supporting the Museum of the Beartooths. Proceeds from Brewfest help fund exhibits, educational programs, and the preservation of Stillwater County history.

A special thank you to our sponsors: Sibanye Stillwater, Puget Sound Energy, Quantica, Columbus IGA Plus, Yellowstone Bank, Lofing Electric, First Interstate Bank, Beartooth Ford, Columbus Ace Hardware, Stillwater Wind, Stillwater County Recreation District, 307 Bar & Grill, Davey Vincent Law Firm, Mandeville Agency, and Farmer's Union Trading Company.

Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, participating breweries, food vendors, musicians, and community members for supporting the Museum of the Beartooths. Cheers to another great year of preserving and sharing Stillwater County history!

06/18/2026

Only 3 days until the 2026 Stillwater Brewfest!

The Trout Bus will depart from the Museum of the Beartooths at 3:50 p.m. (VIP) and 4:50 p.m. (general admission) and transport attendees to the Stillwater County Civic Center for the event on Saturday, June 20. Drop off will be as needed from the Stillwater Civic Center to the Museum.

Join us for local breweries, food trucks, live music, dancing, and community fun while supporting the Museum of the Beartooths.

Get your tickets online at EventGroove, at the Museum or at the gate.
https://events.eventgroove.com/event/Stillwater-Brewfest-124895?redir=1

The Museum of the Beartooths is located at 440 East 5th Avenue North in Columbus. For more information, call 406-322-4588.

06/16/2026

In the fall of 2024, a beautifully restored 130-year-old sheep wagon found its way home to the Museum of the Beartooths. Today, this remarkable piece of Montana's sheep ranching heritage is proudly on display for museum visitors to enjoy.

The sheep wagon's journey from a weathered relic to a museum centerpiece was made possible through the generosity of Dave Arthun, who donated the wagon and funded its restoration. We are incredibly grateful for his commitment to preserving this important part of our region's history.

A special thank you also goes to Dave and Diane Engel of Engel's Coach Shop in Joliet. Dave meticulously restored the wagon and documented the entire process through 38 YouTube videos, creating an invaluable educational resource for anyone interested in restoration, craftsmanship, and Western history.

To celebrate the wagon's arrival at its permanent home, Dave Engel also produced a wonderful video about the Museum of the Beartooths and the sheep wagon's final journey.

If you haven't visited the Museum recently, stop by and see this stunning sheep wagon in person. Then take a few minutes to watch Dave's "Going Home" video and learn more about the wagon, the restoration process, and the Museum of the Beartooths.

Thank you again to Dave Arthun, Dave and Diane Engel, and everyone who helped preserve this unique piece of Stillwater County history.

Watch the sheep wagon "Going Home" video here: https://youtu.be/_5PFJoy2CIY?si=O7vHuRLldf8hF5wR

Interested in the full restoration story? Explore the complete series of restoration videos on YouTube and see the incredible craftsmanship that brought this wagon back to life.

The Columbus Museum of the Beartooths in Columbus, MT. is the final...

06/11/2026

Have you listened to "They Gazed On The Beartooths Podcast" yet?

If you're looking for a fascinating way to explore the people, places, and events that shaped Stillwater County, now is the perfect time to dive into this 12-episode series produced by Big Fat Podcast in partnership with the Museum of the Beartooths.

Hosted by Milo Solomon and inspired by Jim Annin's landmark work "They Gazed On The Beartooths", the series takes listeners on a journey through local history—from the Crow Agency and early pioneers to military heroes, colorful characters, mining history, and stories that continue to shape our community today.

Episodes feature a variety of guests, including Museum of the Beartooths Director Penny Redli, historians, community members, and local experts who help bring these stories to life.

Discover the stories of:
🔹 The Crow Agency and its pioneers
🔹 Doolittle Raider David Thatcher
🔹 The Columbus Sandstone Quarry
🔹 Donald Ruhl's Medal of Honor sacrifice at Iwo Jima
🔹 Thomas Leforge and the Crow Nation
🔹 Skookum Joe and the prospectors of the Stillwater
🔹 And many more remarkable people and events from our region's past

Whether you're a lifelong resident, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the stories behind the Beartooth Mountains, this podcast offers an engaging way to connect with Stillwater County's rich heritage.

Special thanks to Milo Solomon, Big Fat Podcast, Donna West, Cole Waltner, and all of the featured guests who helped make this series possible.

Start listening today and discover the stories that shaped Stillwater County!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbP1jPmVzbyuBuowPYObh7B8s92FRiTG&si=ItymrTWL06a5QppM

This is our local history series in partnership with The Museum Of The Beartooths where we use Jim Annin's epic work "They Gazed On The Beartooths" as a leap...

06/07/2026

Less than 2 weeks until the 2026 Stillwater Brewfest! Get your tickets now at https://events.eventgroove.com/event/124895

Enjoy craft beer from local breweries: By All Means Brewing, Gally's Brewing Company, Red Lodge Ales Brewing Company, Bearded Viking Mead Co, Canyon Creek Brewing, Palladium Draughthaus, MAP Brewing Company, Thirsty Street Brewing Co. and more!

Don’t forget to invite your friends so they can enjoy live music, food and brews too!

06/04/2026

The outbuilding exhibits at the Museum of the Beartooths are officially open for the 2026 season!

Step back in time as you explore the historic T. T. Brown School, Albert Johnson’s Tack Shop, the Blacksmith Shop, the Northern Pacific Caboose, and other fascinating outdoor exhibits that help tell the story of Stillwater County.

With extended summer hours, there’s even more time to visit:
Monday–Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Museum of the Beartooths is located at 440 East 5th Avenue North in Columbus, Montana. Admission is free.

Bring the family, invite a friend, and spend some time discovering local history this summer.

06/02/2026

We’ve extended the sale! Get your tickets now through June 13 at a discounted price at https://events.eventgroove.com/event/124895