Conferences, Workshops, and Special Events

Get ready for A Place in Time: The 52nd annual Montana History Conference, set for Sept. 25-27, 2025 in Helena. We’re planning a fabulous line up of workshops, tours, lectures and discussions focused on place-based Montana history. Visit the conference website to view the full agenda and to register and pay for the conference. Online registration opens on July 21. You can also browse or download the printed conference program here.

Conference registration cost is $230 per person (until Aug. 25; $265 after) and includes opening reception with heavy appetizers on Thursday, Sept. 25; all lecture sessions, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Friday, Sept. 26; and all lecture sessions, breakfast, and lunch on Saturday, Sept. 27. Additional charges apply to select bus tours and workshops. Single day and a la carte registration is available.

CONFERENCE HOTEL & PARKING

The conference will be held at the Best Western Great Northern Hotel. You can reserve your room now under the Montana History Conference group rate or call 406-457-5500 to book your room. Rates start at $180/night. Free parking at the hotel is limited to overnight guests and a small number of conference attendees can park for free in the conference center lot on Front Street or in Lot 15 across Front St. All other public parking spaces and lots cost $.75/hour. For details and a parking map, read these Great Northern Hotel parking options before you go.

Alternate lodging is available at the Best Western Helena/Capitol Hotel, 1714 11th Avenue, (406) 442-1770. Rates start at $125/night. A limited number of ADA rooms are available at both hotels.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS 

Keynote speakers:

MTHS is excited to announce our roster of keynote speakers. The impressive line-up includes first-person interpreter Hasan Davis as York, the Corps of Discovery’s only Black member; Montana historian Kirby Lambert unveiling the new MTHS book, A History of Montana in 101 Places; Montana journalist and conservationist Todd Wilkinson on Montana identity; and Piikuni elders Smokey and Darnell Rides at the Door on Blackfeet oral traditions. Following dinner on September 26, Crystal Alegria of the Extreme History Project and filmmaker Kimberly Hogberg will premier episode three of the Emmy award nominated The Story of Us documentary, which features the compelling stories of three trailblazing Montana women: lawyer Ella Knowles Haskell, art dealer Nancy Cooper Russell, and rodeo queen Fannie Sperry Steele.

Tours:

Register early to get a seat on one of the many popular local tours to discover Helena area history on Sept. 25. Two all-day tours include an in-depth look at the Grant-Kohrs Ranch and Kohrs Mansion in Helena, as well as the ever-popular Made in Montana tour, which will feature a Missouri River cruise through history and a bottom-to-top tour of the Holter Dam powerhouse. Other stellar tours include visits to Little Shell Tribe historic sites; Black history; Jewish and Chinese cemeteries, the Sieben Ranch, Charter Oak Mine, and the Western Clay Manufacturing/Archie Bray Foundation campus. And don't miss the ever-popular Hidden Helena tour on Saturday, Sept. 27. About a dozen lesser-known historic homes and businesses will throw open their doors for self-guided tours.

Workshops: A host of workshops offer something for every lifelong learner. Opportunities include a day-long Indian Education for All workshop for educators, a living history workshop for museum and historic site professionals, as well as half-day cemetery preservation, historic preservation, and Blackfeet art and culture workshops.

Check back often for updates on conference highlights and registration information. Questions? Contact Christine Brown at christine.brown@mt.gov or 406-444-1687.

LEARN MORE

If you missed the 2024 Montana History Conference, click here to view the list of recordings and watch the slideshow presentations on Youtube.

Find many years of past conference programs and session recordings here.

Educator Workshops

Visit our Professional Development page to learn about summer 2025 workshops in Helena, Missoula, and Billings and find online learning opportunities.  

Bring a Montana Teacher Leader to Your Community!

Take advantage of our extraordinary Teacher Leaders in History program. Eleven elementary and middle school teachers from across the state, who have received training on the Montana Historical Society resources and are versed in best practices for history education, are available to provide professional development. Looking for a presenter at your school? Learn more.