We are a year away from opening and can't wait to welcome you. Watch this recorded webinar(External link) (10/29/2024) for updates that include photos and videos of new construction, renovations, and exhibits.

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The recorded video is approximately 1 hour long and includes a Q&A at the end. Having trouble logging on? Email MTHSDevelopment@mt.gov(External link) for assistance.

Milestone Construction Dates - Opening Fall 2025

• New Construction.
  • More than 60,000 art and artifacts, still packed in boxes and on pallets, are being moved into the addition with many items going into the new compact storage on the lower level (below the Montana Homeland Gallery).
  • Landscaping continues with a beautiful Montana fall. The boulders for the Boulder Batholith were placed and the irrigation system was installed.
  • The security system for the facility is being developed.
  • An RFP will soon go out seeking vendors for Norm's Cafe

• Installation of the wood ceiling in the Central Commons continued.
• Visitors entering from the North Entrance can access the upper level via an elevator (possibly the largest in the state!) or Grand Staircase which will feature art by Northern Cheyenne artist, Bently Spang.
• The North Entrance design is getting finalized.

• The Grand Staircase wall with an image of Wolf Creek Canyon imprinted on it and the railing along the top was installed.
• Various light fixtures and other finishes were installed.

• Solar panels were installed on the roof of the addition.
  
• Testing photographs for the People and Lands of Montana art installation is ongoing

• Renovation. The Veterans and Pioneers Historic Building renovation began in May 2023 and will be finished in 2025. The three-story historic building is 95,000 square feet and is being updated, including electrical, plumbing, windows, elevators, and a new HVAC system.
  • The first floor will be home to the new and expanded Charles M. Russell Gallery, Changing Gallery, Library and Archives (previously Research Center) and the Director's Office. The renovation on this floor is just starting.
  • The top floors will house the State Historic Preservation Office, Administration, Publications, and Outreach and Interpretation staff. The lower level includes Library and Archives staff offices and archive collections. The renovations on these levels continues.
  • Cutting through the concrete between the historic building and the addition to create the opening into the Russell Gallery is underway.
  • The elevator in the Library & Archives storage is being installed.
  • Completion of the cold storage area, for storage of nitrate film, was completed.
  • Replacement of the historic windows continued.

• Interpretive Design, Fabrication & Installation. Exhibit fabrication is ongoing and the gallery spaces will be completed after construction is finished. Final installation of artifacts, media, and fabricated elements in the galleries will take approximately three months.

Montana Homeland Gallery

• The 16,000-square-foot Montana Homeland Gallery is in the final stages of design with the artifacts being stored for easy access and the interpretation, and media pieces in their final phases of review.

• Ten "zones" will tell Montana's story, beginning 14,000 years ago to today. In addition to the chronological history, the gallery includes a Sovereign Nations' exhibit, a Children's Gallery, and a living history section called Celebrate Montana.
• Indigenous and tribal history are woven throughout the Homeland Gallery. Tribal Stakeholders, cultural representatives from each tribe, are providing guidance and input on all facets of the gallery and chosen artifacts.
• Each zone will have a combination of artifacts, fabricated objects, text interpretation, visual and audio media elements

• The car above, fabricated by our contractors, will be in the Montana Modernizes zone of the Homeland, complete with tires spinning in the eastern Montana gumbo and the radio playing from those times.

Special Features

• Sovereign Nations East Entrance Arbor. The Tribal Stakeholders suggested an arbor be integrated into the design of the East Entrance. This feature won't be installed until summer 2025.

• Smudge Room. At the request of the Tribal Stakeholders, a specially designed room for smudging(External link) will be near the entrance into the Homeland Gallery.
• Experiential Enhancements. Immersive experiences that deepen the visitor experience and engage people in experiential ways are being tested and in final design. Video, audio, lighting and even smells are being incorporated to bring history to life.
• Watch the concept(External link) for the Mine Shaft experience, just one of the media enhancements under design.

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Charles M. Russell Gallery & Changing Gallery

Museum staff are now designing the Russell Gallery, Changing Gallery, and other display spaces inside the historic portion of the building.

• The Russell Gallery will be almost three times larger than our previous space and will display Charlie's art while telling his story - how Montana shaped his life and how he impacted Montana. It also will showcase Nancy as well as Charlie's contemporaries.
• The Changing Gallery provides flexibility, with the ability to have one large exhibit, three small exhibits, or something in between. The plan is to exhibit the Poindexter Collection of Modern Art(External link) when we open in 2025.

Capital Campaign - Goal: $60 million

During the past four years, the project budget changed due to supply chain issues and inflation. MTHS also increased the media budget to create immersive experiences for museum visitors. Costs have stabilized and the building price is $104 million. The Montana Historical Society is in the final stages of the Capital Campaign with $1.4 million left to raise.

• State Contribution from Bonds, Bed Tax & Grants: $46.6 million

• Private Fundraising Total: $58.6 million

We are close to having all the private funding needed to finish the construction of the addition, renovation of the historic building, and the design and installation of the interpretive displays. The last $1.4 million will enhance the gallery spaces, create a seamless visitor experience, pay for updated broadcast and projection features for the event center, and provide equipment for researchers.

We are grateful for your continued support. Please visit our Donor page to see your fellow contributors.

Thank you for your support! We couldn't have done it without you.

Additional questions? Contact MTHSDevelopment@mt.gov(External link)(External link)(External link)