Montana Heritage Center

Welcome to the Montana Heritage Center

Where Montana's Stories Come to Life

The Montana Heritage Center is now open. Admission is free for all visitors.

The Montana Heritage Center contains 3 expansive museum galleries, a library and archives research center, a cafe, a gift shop, an events center, and so much more. We can't wait to welcome you to Montana history's new home.

We are located at 225 N. Roberts St. in Helena, Montana, across the street from the State Capitol Building.

Our hours of operation are:

Monday - Wednesday & Friday: 9 am-5 pm
Thursday: 9 am-6:30 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10 am-5 pm

For more hours, click here.

From June 25-28, we will be hosting a Montana History Festival in partnership with the Helena community to celebrate the opening of the Montana Heritage Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Your Visit

What are your hours?

How much does admission cost?

Where is the Montana Heritage Center located?

Where can I park?

Free parking is available in nearby lots or on the street wherever spaces are available and not marked as reserved. Accessible parking is available in the north lot (near the prominent building overhang) and the east lot (near the Sovereign Nations Arbor). Street parking is also available near the west entrance.

Click here for a parking map.

Please note: the roundabout at the east entrance is for drop-off and pick-up only.

Is the Montana Heritage Center ADA accessible?

Yes, the building is fully ADA accessible with elevators and ramps throughout. Accessible restrooms are available, and wheelchairs can be provided. We do not currently offer motorized scooters or wheelchairs.

Service animals are welcome; other animals are not permitted inside the building.

Are pets allowed?

Are strollers allowed?

Is there storage for coats and bags?

Can I take photos in the galleries?

Are guided tours available?

Yes, regularly scheduled free guided tours of the galleries at the Montana Heritage Center are available.

The Montana Historical Society also offers free tours of the Montana State Capitol Building and the Original Governor's Mansion in Helena.

For more information and an up-to-date tour schedule, click here.

Can school groups or other groups schedule visits?

Where can I eat?

I have another question.

Galleries and Exhibits

What can I see at the Montana Heritage Center?

Homeland Gallery: Montana history from the Ice Age to present day across 7 time periods, plus a children's gallery and Sovereign Nations exhibit.

Charles M. Russell Gallery: View the art and life story of the legendary cowboy artist, Charlie Russell.

Changing Gallery: 5,000 square feet showcasing rotating exhibitions from MTHS collections (can be divided into 3 sections for multiple exhibits).

Rotating Exhibits: Several spaces throughout the building allow the Montana Historical Society to showcase even more artifacts from our collections, including saddles, antique firearms, quilts, and more.

Central Commons: Take in breathtaking views of Montana under the hanging mobile exhibit prominently on display in our Central Commons lobby.

Sleeping Giant Terrace: An outdoor terrace with benches, tables, and living greenery located on the North Entrance Overhang that faces Helena's legendary Sleeping Giant mountain formation.

Big Medicine: The famous white bison is currently on display on the second floor of the historic building (on loan from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes).

Gift Shop: Shop for Montana and Indigenous-made products, Montana and western history books, souvenirs, treats, and more.

Habitats Trail: An outdoor interpretive trail representing Montana's diverse landscapes.

Sovereign Nations East Entrance Arbor: An arbor made in a lodgepole style representing each of Montana's Sovereign Nations.

Smudge Room: A quiet space near the Homeland Gallery for smudging and contemplation.

Outdoor Amphitheater: A small amphitheater perfect for hosting talks and other events.

What's currently showing in the Changing Gallery?

How often do exhibits change in the Changing Gallery?

Does the larger building mean more artifacts on display?

About the Montana Heritage Center

What's the difference between the Montana Heritage Center and the Montana Historical Society?

The Montana Heritage Center is the facility that houses the Montana Historical Society (MTHS). MTHS operates several programs including the museum, library and archives, outreach and education, publications, the State Historic Preservation Office, and administrative services. The Heritage Center serves as the central location for these programs and includes museum galleries, a reference room, and other public amenities.

How big is the facility?

When did the Montana Heritage Center open?

Who designed and built the Montana Heritage Center?

The Montana Heritage Center was designed by Cushing Terrell (principal architects: David Koel, Anthony Houtz, and Martin Byrnes). The Center was built by Sletten Construction Companies.

Gallery and exhibit design partners included Main Street Design, Cinnabar, RLMG, Electrosonic, Clearwing, and Zone.

Events and Rentals

Can I rent space for an event or host a party here?

Yes! Available spaces include:

Big Sky Hall: Up to 250 guests (divisible into two rooms)

Meeting Rooms: Up to 90 guests (divisible into two rooms)

Central Commons: Up to 450 guests

Additional spaces: Historic lobby, catering kitchen, and atrium

All venues include state-of-the-art AV equipment with an on-site AV specialist. Tables, chairs, and setup/breakdown services are included. You may choose any licensed and insured caterer (no in-house catering).

Reservations are now being accepted for business events, parties, and special occasions.

What other public programs do you offer?

How can I stay informed about upcoming events and exhibitions?

Funding and History

How was the project funded?

The $107 million project was funded through:

$60 million in private donations and grants (from over 1,300 donors)
$41.5 million in state funds via the Montana Museums Act (1% lodging tax, no property taxes)
$5.5 million in bonds

Major donors included: Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation ($25M), Norm Asbjornson
($10.4M), and BNSF Railway ($5M).

Click here for the full donor list.

Why did the project cost more than initially estimated?

Master planning began in 2010, with final plans in 2019-2020 and construction starting fall 2020. Costs increased due to state-of-the-art multimedia exhibits added to original plans, inflation, and pandemic-related supply chain and labor issues. All additional funding came from private sources at no cost to taxpayers.

What are some unique design features?

The Montana Heritage Center was designed to evoke Montana's iconic landscapes, from east to west, and has several features that incorporate elements from throughout the state, including:

The north face overhang, which evokes Chief Mountain in Glacier National Park.
Lower stonework sourced from Harlowton, MT, with upper stonework that matches the other buildings on the Capitol campus.
Boulders sourced from the Boulder Batholith formation between Butte and Helena. (Boulders donated by Steve and Laura Marks; transportation/installation by Dennis and Priscilla Dickert.)
Habitats Interpretive Trail that wraps around the building, showcasing a walk through Montana's landscapes from east to west, populated with native flora and interpretive signage about Montana's fauna and landscapes.

Tribal Partnerships

How were Montana's Sovereign Nations involved?

MTHS worked closely with a Tribal Stakeholders Group representing every tribal nation in Montana to ensure culturally sensitive and appropriate presentation of tribal art and artifacts. Their input influenced design decisions including the smudge room and the Arbor at the east entrance.

Collections and Preservation

How does the new building help preserve collections?

How many items are in the MTHS collection?

Supporting MTHS

What other initiatives is MTHS working on?

The Montana History & Civics Education Endowment is raising $10 million in private funding to bring schoolchildren from across Montana to explore the State Capitol and Montana Heritage Center. The program launched fall 2025, and field trips began in January of 2026. $3.5 million has been raised to date.

How can I support the Montana Heritage Center?

Become a Member: Join MTHS and enjoy benefits including a subscription to Montana The Magazine of Western History, 15% off purchases at the gift shop, and access to our newsletter.

Volunteer or Become a Docent: Help with tours, events, and general visitor services.

Make a Donation: Support the work we do through a financial contribution to the Society.