The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula

The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula Keeping Missoula County history alive for the education and enjoyment of thr public. Missoula County residents always receive FREE ADMISSION.
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Fort Missoula was established as a permanent military post in 1877 and built in response to requests of local townspeople and settlers for protection in the event of conflict with western Montana Indian tribes. It was intended as a major outpost for the region; however, area residents also were quite aware of the payroll, contracts, and employment opportunities Fort Missoula would provide. Fort Mi

ssoula never had walls; rather, it was an "open fort," a design common for posts located west of the Mississippi. Open forts required troops to take the offensive and actively patrol the areas to which they were assigned. Construction had barely begun when the Company Commander, Captain Charles Rawn, received orders to halt the advance of a group of non-treaty Nez Perce Indians. The Nez Perce, led by Chiefs Joseph, Looking Glass and others, simply went around the soldiers' hastily-constructed earth and log barricade in Lolo Canyon (later called "Fort Fizzle") and escaped up the Bitterroot Valley. The black 25th Infantry arrived at Fort Missoula in May 1888. See 25th Infantry to learn more. The efforts of Congressman Joseph Dixon of Missoula led to the appropriation of $1 million in 1904 to remodel Fort Missoula. A modern complex of concrete buildings with red tile roofs was constructed between 1908 and 1914, including a new Officer's Row, barracks, and Post Hospital. The fort was used as a military training center during World War I, but was almost abandoned by 1921. However, it was designated as the Northwest Regional Headquarters for the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933. Fort Missoula was turned over to the Department of Immigration and Naturalization in 1941 for use as an alien detention center for non-military Italian and Japanese-American men. See Alien Detention for more information. The camp was used as a prison for military personnel accused of military crimes and other personnel awaiting court-martial following World War II. After the post was decommissioned in 1947, many of the buildings were sold, dismantled, and removed from the site. The majority of the land is now in the hands of non-military agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and Missoula County (including the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula).

06/17/2026

Some of our favorite friends popping by for a visit.

:::Tuesday, June 16th, 9am-12pm, 10 Fort Missoula Rd:::We do NOT accept:COOK BOOKSBooks in poor condition/dirty/broken b...
06/15/2026

:::Tuesday, June 16th, 9am-12pm, 10 Fort Missoula Rd:::

We do NOT accept:
COOK BOOKS
Books in poor condition/dirty/broken bindings
Dictionaries/textbooks/business and computer manuals
Self-help manuals
Magazines/Reader’s Digest/National Geographic
Condensed versions/encyclopedia sets

06/15/2026
06/11/2026

Only a few spots left! Sign up using the link in comments.
THE AMBASSADORS AT THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM AT FORT MISSOULA
Training week: June 22-26
Time: 12-4 pm
Ages: 13-18 years old
Location: 3400 Captain Rawn Way
Missoula, MT 59804
Camp is complimentary but participants must volunteer 20 hours in 2026
Maximum participants: 6

Join the Historical Museum as an Ambassador! For students who love history and want to be involved in the Museum’s mission to keep Missoula County’s history alive for the education and enjoyment of the public. Learn the behind the scenes of working at a museum while gaining a deeper understanding of Missoula’s History. After completing the training week, Ambassadors will choose an area of specialty to complete 20 hours of volunteer work hosting buildings, leading tours, participating in Lantern Tours, or working on special projects. Volunteer hours must be completed in the summer or fall of 2026.

Come join us for Juneteenth on Friday, June 19th at 10:30a!
06/10/2026

Come join us for Juneteenth on Friday, June 19th at 10:30a!

ICYMI:::FREE PUBLIC EVENT:::WOMEN MAKING MONTANA HISTORYWEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 | HERITAGE HALLJoin Diane Sands as she recoun...
06/08/2026

ICYMI
:::FREE PUBLIC EVENT:::
WOMEN MAKING MONTANA HISTORY
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 | HERITAGE HALL
Join Diane Sands as she recounts the role of womens' organizations and the 19 elected female delegates establishing the 1972 Montana Constitution.

:::REGISTER NOW FOR DOG DAYS ULTRA - AUGUST 22-23:::LINK IN COMMENTS.Founded in 1877, the campus of Fort Missoula has lo...
06/05/2026

:::REGISTER NOW FOR DOG DAYS ULTRA - AUGUST 22-23:::LINK IN COMMENTS.

Founded in 1877, the campus of Fort Missoula has long been a center for physical activity. Soldiers at the Fort performed physical training which included regular runs. In 1896, US Army Lieutenant James A. Moss formed a Bicycle Corp. from members of the 25th Infantry Buffalo Soldiers. In 1897, the Bicycle Corp. would complete an epic ride from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri. The ride would take the soldiers 41 days to traverse 1900 unpaved miles.

The name “Dog Days” is in tribute to Fort Missoula’s unofficial mascot, Sergeant Bozo. In 1928, soldiers at the Fort adopted a three-week-old puppy found as a stray. By 1932, Bozo had won the hearts of Fort Missoula’s soldiers and was given the title of Honorary Master Sergeant. Bozo would have his run of the Fort for ten years. He would reportedly respond to bugle calls and was especially fond of mess call. Today Sergeant Bozo’s pawprints can still be found in the cement pad in front of the Fort’s Powder Magazine building.

Run Wild Missoula’s Dog Days Ultra honors Sergeant Bozo, the history of physical fitness at Fort Missoula, and the momentous achievement of the Buffalo Soldiers in 1897. The land on which the Dog Days Ultra is held (Missoula County Big Sky Park) was once part of the Fort Missoula Military Reservation which was established by an 1878 Executive Order from the desk of President Ulysses S. Grant.

A portion of the proceeds from Dog Days Ultra benefits the Friends of the Historical Museum and helps us keep Missoula County history alive for the education and enjoyment of the public.

Link to participate in Missoula's first 24-hour -closed loop race in the comments.

Address

3400 Captain Rawn Way, Fort
Missoula, MT
59804

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+14067283476

Website

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