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Construction began in Fall 2020 and the Montana Heritage Center will open Summer 2025. Here is a list of current happenings for the Montana Heritage Center:

  • Sixth Avenue is permanently closed between North Roberts and North Sanders streets for construction of the addition.
  • Building permits with the city of Helena are secured.
  • Construction crews are working long hours to take advantage of Montana’s short building season.
  • The Veterans and Pioneers Historic Building renovation began May 2023.
  • The Museum and Library and Archives (previously Research Center) are closed.
  • The Museum Store remains open in it's current location in the historic building.
  • Some program staff moved to a temporary location while the collections staff are working in the historic building as it undergoes major renovations.
  • The high density storage system for the museum artifacts are being installed.
  • Landscaping is ongoing.
  • Design of the galleries and displays is ongoing.




We held a Topping out Ceremony in May 2022, acknowledging the important work construction contractors play in the building process. Two beams traveled to schools across the state where students signed them. These were then signed by dignitaries and major donors, MTHS staff, and members before they were hoisted into place in what will be the Montana Homeland Gallery. Once construction is complete, these beams will be revealed in the gallery permanently.

Featured guests included MTHS Director Molly Kruckenberg, Gov. Greg Gianforte, Contractor Erik Sletten, and Dennis and Phyllis Washington, whose foundation donated $25 million for the project.

“Topping out ceremonies are held to celebrate a major milestone in a construction project,” Kruckenberg said.

Often the workers, students, and others connected to the project are given the opportunity to sign the topping out beams to be part of history. Hundreds of students at 15 schools across Montana put their signatures on the beam because not only are they learning about Montana history in class, they also are living in historic times.

In America, the Topping Out practice includes putting a tree and a flag on the top beam, often hoisted to signal those below that the framing was complete.

(External link)


We held a ground-blessing ceremony on Sept. 2, 2020. Afterward, the construction fencing went up and the site was prepared for construction by moving the MHS outdoor sculptures to safer ground. Sletten Construction completed site preparation by moving utility lines and demolishing the existing parking lot. As of Summer 2021, the new Fish Wildlife and Parks ADA parking lot is completed on the east side of the existing MHS building. This parking lot will be closed during portions of the construction project. Check in for updates and news on our Events Page.





Construction began in Fall 2020 and the Montana Heritage Center will open Summer 2025. Here is a list of current happenings for the Montana Heritage Center:

  • Sixth Avenue is permanently closed between North Roberts and North Sanders streets for construction of the addition.
  • Building permits with the city of Helena are secured.
  • Construction crews are working long hours to take advantage of Montana’s short building season.
  • The Veterans and Pioneers Historic Building renovation began May 2023.
  • The Museum and Library and Archives (previously Research Center) are closed.
  • The Museum Store remains open in it's current location in the historic building.
  • Some program staff moved to a temporary location while the collections staff are working in the historic building as it undergoes major renovations.
  • The high density storage system for the museum artifacts are being installed.
  • Landscaping is ongoing.
  • Design of the galleries and displays is ongoing.




We held a Topping out Ceremony in May 2022, acknowledging the important work construction contractors play in the building process. Two beams traveled to schools across the state where students signed them. These were then signed by dignitaries and major donors, MTHS staff, and members before they were hoisted into place in what will be the Montana Homeland Gallery. Once construction is complete, these beams will be revealed in the gallery permanently.

Featured guests included MTHS Director Molly Kruckenberg, Gov. Greg Gianforte, Contractor Erik Sletten, and Dennis and Phyllis Washington, whose foundation donated $25 million for the project.

“Topping out ceremonies are held to celebrate a major milestone in a construction project,” Kruckenberg said.

Often the workers, students, and others connected to the project are given the opportunity to sign the topping out beams to be part of history. Hundreds of students at 15 schools across Montana put their signatures on the beam because not only are they learning about Montana history in class, they also are living in historic times.

In America, the Topping Out practice includes putting a tree and a flag on the top beam, often hoisted to signal those below that the framing was complete.

(External link)


We held a ground-blessing ceremony on Sept. 2, 2020. Afterward, the construction fencing went up and the site was prepared for construction by moving the MHS outdoor sculptures to safer ground. Sletten Construction completed site preparation by moving utility lines and demolishing the existing parking lot. As of Summer 2021, the new Fish Wildlife and Parks ADA parking lot is completed on the east side of the existing MHS building. This parking lot will be closed during portions of the construction project. Check in for updates and news on our Events Page.


  • Excavation and Structural Fill

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    27 Jul 2021
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    Work continues this week on excavation and structural fill. The parking lot to the east of the Montana Historical Society will be closed on July 31 to seal and stripe the lot. Thank you again for your patience as we work on this exciting new project.

  • Why are we using rammed aggregate piers?

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    08 Jul 2021
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    Included in the Montana Heritage Center foundation are 763 rammed aggregate piers. Rammed aggregate piers are typically installed in grid patterns aligned underneath future footing and slab-on-grade locations. These piers reinforce the soil to limit any future settling of the building. Onsite you will see heavy equipment drilling holes, filling & compacting them with gravel, and then hauling off the dirt spoils. Different parts of the foundation require piers with different diameters and different depths, depending on the structural calculations. The complete installation of the 763 piers will take approximately 2.5 weeks. The process does have some noise, and we appreciate everyone’s patience while we get these piers in place so that Montana’s Museum is ready for footings.

  • Please watch for heavy equipment this week.

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    28 Jun 2021
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    Beginning next week, construction activity is going to increase on the Montana Heritage Center. There will be heavy equipment moving in and around the site as the foundation work begins. Rammed aggregate piers will be installed throughout the site, approximately 500 total piers will be installed. We are excited for the construction work to continue, but want safety to be a priority. Please be aware as you are driving or walking near the site and expect that there may be delays in the area. Parking along 9th Avenue, North Sanders Street and Roberts Street will remain available.

    If there are questions or concerns please call KC French at 406-594-2957.

  • What are geopiers? And why are we using them?

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    20 May 2022

    You will see a lot of construction activity in and around the Montana Heritage Center this week. Please be aware of the heavy equipment if you are planning to travel near the site.

    Geopiers are being installed this week and we have had a number of questions around what they do and why we are using them. The geotechnical report found that the soil in the area

  • Preparing the Site for Foundation Work

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    20 Jun 2021

    As you drive by the site of the Montana Heritage Center, you will see that construction work had intensified over the last few weeks. The team is excited to be getting ready for foundation work. The work for the drilled piers is set to begin on June 28th. The live stream of the construction work is available on the home page of montanamuseum.org. Please check back for weekly updates as the construction work moves forward on this very exciting project.

  • Utility Work Continues Through the End of April

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    22 Apr 2021

    Northwestern Energy will be performing gas and electrical utility work on 9th Avenue, Roberts Street, and Sanders Street the weeks of April 19 and April 26. Here are the anticipated dates for street closures and restricted access:

    4/21, 9th Ave between Roberts and Sanders

    4/22, intersection of 9th & Sanders and south along Sanders to the tie-in location (i.e. between 8th & 9th Aves)

    4/26 – 4/30, intersection of 9th & Roberts and south along Roberts to the tie-in location (i.e. between 8th & 9th Aves)

    These dates are subject to change due to weather, emergencies, and/or other work related issues that may arise.

  • Road Closures For the week of April 5th

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    05 Apr 2021
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    During the week of April 5th, there will be multiple road closures to assist with the new Montana Heritage Center Project.

    • Sanders Street, between 8th and 9th Avenue: Utility work & patching of asphalt Tuesday, 4/06/21 through Thursday, 4/08/21. One lane will be kept open for traffic going to FWP or Metcalf Parking Lots.
    • Sanders Street near 6th Avenue intersection: CLOSED for utility work and asphalt patch on Tuesday, April 6th.
    • Roberts Street & 8th Avenue intersection: Patching of asphalt Tuesday, 4/06/21 through Thursday, 4/08/21. Will keep one lane open to traffic at all times.
    • Roberts Street & 6th Ave intersection: CLOSED from Wednesday, April 7th to Thursday, April 8th for utility work and asphalt patch.

    This may affect your regular travel patterns. Please plan accordingly for alternative routes. For questions please call A&E Construction Manager

    KC French: (406) 594-2957

  • Construction Fence to Delineate Project Perimeter

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    05 Apr 2021

    We are preparing for Phase 2 of construction in anticipation of foundation and structural work beginning this spring. Thank you for your patience as we continue work on this landmark project for the State of Montana!

    You will see construction fencing starting on March 15th. The fence will delineate the perimeter of the construction site and entrance into and out of that area will be managed by Sletten Construction. The parking lot to the north of the current Montana Historical Society Building, along Roberts St will be closed for the duration of the project and surrounded by construction fencing. The fence will be used to monitor movement into and out of the site in order to keep the public and those working on the project safe.

    If you have questions please call KC FRENCH, Construction Manager for the Department of Administration at 406-444-5337.

  • March 1st Construction Update

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    05 Apr 2021

    This week the construction team will be focused on backfilling the new buried power conduit trench on the North side of the current Montana Historical Society building. There will also be some general site cleanup that is ongoing. Please refrain from passing through the construction area. The snow fence delineates the construction area. Beginning March 15th the site will be fenced with construction fencing and pedestrians will be unable to move through the area.


  • Construction progress will be weather dependent this week.

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    08 Feb 2021

    From a construction perspective, the weather has allowed the team to make significant progress the past few months. Things may change a bit this week. The snow and the temperatures will make some of the utility work challenging. The continued install and tie-in of the new storm drain piping at the closed portion of 6th is the current priority. Work will also move forward on the piping for the new MHS gas service.

Page last updated: 22 Aug 2023, 03:40 PM