The Research Center collects photographic materials in a variety of formats. Approximately 500,000 images document the diverse history of Montana and the lives and accomplishments of its people. They include the work of amateurs and professionals who have captured the faces of the state's inhabitants, immortalized its landscape, and recorded its agricultural, industrial and technological developments. Several state agency photograph collections are also housed here.
Shows rural life in Montana, 1880-1960. It includes views of livestock, crops, farm and ranch buildings, and irrigation projects.
Documents Native American life after white settlement began in Montana. It contains portraits of tribal leaders, views of ceremonies, dances, dwellings and reservation life.
Traces the history of placer and underground mining in Montana, 1860s-1960s. It documents mines, smelters, and mining equipment.
Gives a glimpse of military life on the frontier, 1888 to 1906. It includes portraits of Native Americans and buildings at Fort Keogh.
Reflects her interest in birds and other Montana wildlife and contains views of homesteading and ranching activities and scenery, 1895-1920.
24,000 images includes photographs taken by F. Jay Haynes (1853-1921) and his son, Jack Ellis Haynes (1884-1962) of the construction and operation of the Northern Pacific Railroad and the historical events and scenic beauty of Yellowstone National Park.
Records cowboys and ranch life in eastern Montana, Crow and Cheyenne Indians, the slaughter of buffalo, and the Custer Trail Expedition in 1916.
40,000 photographs, negatives and slides captures images of railroad locomotives from every significant railroad line that operated in Montana, 1930s-1990s.
For general information about our photograph holdings, contact us at 406-444-4739 or photoarchives@mt.gov. For information on permissions, contact Jeff Malcomson at 406-444-0261 or jmalcomson@mt.gov.
Want photos only? In your search results, under Location, selectPhotograph Archives and click Include.