Montana Historical Society

06/23/2026

The Montana History Fest kicks off TOMORROW! Here are all the events to join in on.

Wednesday, June 24:
🎸 Alive at Five on the Capitol Lawn
✏️ Kolrosing Workshop at the Holter Museum (Registration Required)

Thursday, June 25:
🎵 Live on the Gulch Concert Series on the Walking Mall

Friday, June 25:
🖌️ Modernist Art and Clay in Montana at the Holter Museum
🥁 Indigenous Art Market, Tribal Blessing, Magpie Singers, and Indigenous Feed at the Heritage Center
🎉 A Celebration of Montana History in the Making at Bank of the Rockies
🌟 A Night on the Wall: Montana Climbing History Panel at Stonetree Climbing (Registration Required)

Saturday, June 27:
🥕 Helena Farmers Market
🏛️ Helena Historic Organizations Open House at the Capitol Rotunda
🧿 Beading Workshop at the Heritage Center (Registration Required)
🌮 Last Chance Community Pow Wow Taco & Fry Bread Stand at the Heritage Center
🎲 Traditional Native Games on the Capitol Lawn
🖐️Hands on History for Families at the Heritage Center
📖 Stories of Montana: Storytelling by Touchmark Residents at Touchmark
👚 Steeped in Fashion: Indigenous Fashion Show & High Tea at Helena Indian Alliance (Registration Required)
🎵 Live on the Gulch Concert Series on the Walking Mall
🗽America's 250 Reception at the Heritage Center (Registration Required)
🎉America's 250 Launch Celebration on the Capitol Lawn

EVERY DAY:
🚂Various Tours (Registration Required): Montana Heritage Center Galleries, Montana Capitol, Original Governor's Mansion, Last Chance Tour Train, Pedaling Through the Past Trolley Tour, Julian Anderson Cocktail Trail, Historic Helena Tours

Don't miss the fun! For more detailed information and registration links, go to mths.mt.gov/historyfest

06/22/2026

We found our new spokesperson! 🎤👏

Miles, age 4, tells us what he loves about the museum. Among his favorites are “touch the fur,” “the bones,” and “the animals that died.” Miles' awesome mom, Melissa, is an Interpretive Historian here at MTHS. Thank you for capturing his cuteness!

We have something for all ages here at the Heritage Center. Join us for the Montana History Fest, beginning this Wednesday! Find the schedule of events at: mths.mt.gov/historyfest

06/20/2026

Celebrate Montana’s Indigenous artists and join us at the History Fest-Indigenous Art Market, June 26th at the Montana Historical Society!

06/20/2026

Last week, the Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) staff joined Preserve Montana’s Preservation Trades Corps in painting the historic Baxendale Schoolhouse. 🎨

Preserve Montana relocated the once-threatened schoolhouse for use as a preservation training center northwest of Helena. SHPO is among those sponsoring the nine-week Preservation Trades Corps.

Great job to the Trades Corps crew! Follow along the progress: Preserve Montana

06/19/2026

An unidentified photographer captured this 1913 view in Lincoln, Montana, showing two children—identified as the “Miller Kids”—standing at the front of an automobile while two unidentified men work on changing the rear tire.

This image is part of the Ford and Rubottom families photograph collection, which documents the families and their properties in the Lincoln, Montana, area. To learn more about this collection, visit https://bit.ly/4v8lj4X

[MTHS , PAc 1989-099.17]

06/18/2026

Still searching for the perfect Father’s Day gift? All dads like history!

Sign your pops up for a membership to the Montana Historical Society. Membership connects you to Montana's past while supporting vital preservation work. Members also enjoy exclusive benefits, including discounts, a subscription to "Montana The Magazine of Western History," and more.

Come see our Membership Coordinator, Jenni, in the Central Commons TODAY! She’ll be there from 12-2pm to get you signed up. You can also sign up online at: mths.mt.gov/JoinGive/Membership

06/17/2026

We're just one week away from the beginning of History Fest! Here's Laura Marsh, our Community Engagement Specialist, to tell you about some of the awesome events we having coming up.

Registration is required for some events. Find the full list of events with registration links at mths.mt.gov/historyfest

06/16/2026

This postcard shows the "World's Largest Steer," born near Baker, Montana. What do you think?

The back includes printed text: "World's Largest Steer — Roan polled shorthorn breed. Born March 23, 1923 near Baker, Montana. Raised by Jack Guth. Lived 15 years, 4 months; Height 5' 11'', Length 10' 4'', Girth 9' 2'', Weight 3,980 lbs. On display in the Treasures of the West exhibit at the Buffalo Bill Village, Cody, Wyoming."

[Unidentified photographer, 1965, MTHS , PC 001 BAKE.09a]

This image can be found in the Montana Places Photomechanical Postcard Collection, offering glimpses into life in Montana. View the digital collection at https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/119289

06/16/2026

What are your favorite books about Montana? Help Montana The Magazine of Western History find out!

Montana The Magazine of Western History wants to know: What are the best books about Montana?

Help us find the answer by casting your votes here: https://loom.ly/TGbSnV8

This poll, previously conducted in 1982 and 2002, aims to find out what readers view as the state’s essential literary canon, the must-read works for anyone wanting to better understand or appreciate Big Sky Country.

Cast your vote today!

Great Falls Public Library Cascade County Historical Society Fort Benton Museums and Heritage Complex Western Heritage Center Billings Public Library Choteau Teton Public Library Lewis & Clark Library Lewis & Clark Library Augusta Branch Flathead County Library Missoula Public Library Bozeman Public Library

06/15/2026

Father's Day is coming up! Make dad feel special with a unique find from the Gift Shop. We have a vast array of Montana treasures, products by local artisans, and books galore!

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

Store Hours:
Mon-Wed: 10am-5 pm
Thurs: 10am-6:30pm
Fri-Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun: 1 pm- 5pm

You can also shop online at https://shopmths.mt.gov/