Build
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.
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.