Tour Two of the State's Most Notable Historic Treasures

The Capitol building is open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., and weekends, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Capitol building is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day and may be closed to the general public occasionally on weekends for scheduled routine maintenance.

The Capitol is open through the week and weekend for self-guided tours during business hours (above).

• Self-guiding tour booklets and a scavenger hunt for kids led by Lewis and Clark’s intrepid Newfoundland, Seaman, are available at the first-floor information desk.
• You can also download the interactive student guide to the Montana State Capitol, Explore Your Statehouse, take this forty-three minute video tour, or this virtual tour of the Capitol.
• Click this link for more Montana State Capitol information.

Free Capitol Tours for the Public-- November and December

One hour tours are available upon request, Monday- Saturday.

Call Darby Bramble at (406) 444-2412 to arrange your tour at least two days ahead of time.

Capitol Tours During the Legislative Session

Beginning January 6, 2025, MTHS staff will offer two daily free public tours:
Monday through Friday, one at 9 a.m. and one at 3 p.m.

• These tours are provided on first come, first-served basis and open to the public.
• Daily tours do not require a reservation, but they are limited to twenty people.
• Tours meet on the first floor of the Capitol across from the information desk.

Reservable Tours for Constituents

Beginning January 6, 2025, the public and/or legislators can also schedule guided tours.

• MTHS offers scheduled guided tours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week.
• Participants must call or email at least one week ahead of time to arrange the tour.
• Tour slots are awarded on a first-reserved, first-served basis and will be scheduled around staff availability.
• Tours meet on the first floor of the Capitol across from the information desk.

Tours for School Groups and/or Youth

The Montana Historical Society specializes in field trips for school groups.

• To ensure MTHS staff availability and support Capitol security, we ask that school groups reserve their tours at least one week in advance.
• Field trip slots are awarded on a first-reserved, first-served basis and will be scheduled around staff availability.
• Tours meet on the first floor of the Capitol across from the information desk.

For Legislators

Many legislative constituents (especially teachers and students) will call you to plan for Capitol tours. To save you time, and expedite the reservation process, we request that you ask your constituents to call or email MTHS directly. We will work with them to reserve dates and times as close as possible to those they request.

If you have any questions or comments regarding Capitol or Original Governor’s Mansion tours, please call Darby Bramble at 406-444-2412 or email darby.bramble2@mt.gov

Commercial Tours

• Tours are available for groups but must be scheduled in advance with Darby.Bramble2@mt.gov
• Tour capacity is 30 people.
• Tour cost is $50/ per tour for commercial tours

The Original Governor's Mansion

The Original Governor's Mansion is located at 304 North Ewing, Helena. Visit this ornate, Queen Anne-Style mansion that served as home to Montana's First Families from 1913-1959. Take yourself on a virtual tour of the Original Governor's Mansion or view a twenty-minute video tour.

Tour capacity is 20 people. There is no admission fee, and admission is on a first-come, first-served basis - no advanced reservations.

Summer Hours

Winter Hours

September 16 - May 31
Saturdays only: Tours at 12, 1, 2, and 3
Closed holidays.

The Montana Historical Society Museum ("Montana's Museum")

The Montana Historical Society  is in the process of building a grand new addition, the  Montana Heritage Center . When this facility is completed, it will contain all new, world-class exhibits. It's going to be amazing, but transitions are never easy. Beginning January 1, 2023, all of our museum exhibits will be closed and museum tours will not be available. 

School Groups and Field Trips

Please contact us at least two weeks in advance. For tours planned during legislative sessions or the month of May, it is advisable to make arrangements a month in advance as these time slots fill early.

To book a tour, please call (406) 444-2412 or email Darby.Bramble2@mt.gov. To facilitate the process please provide the following information:

• Preferred tour date
• Preferred tour times
• Size and grade level/age of your group
• Special needs or considerations
• Which tour you would like

Once we have scheduled your tour, we will email you a reservation confirmation.