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Visit our Exhibit Update for the most recent photos and information.

Construction began in Fall 2020 and the Montana Heritage Center will open December 2025.



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.




Visit our Exhibit Update for the most recent photos and information.

Construction began in Fall 2020 and the Montana Heritage Center will open December 2025.



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.


  • Sanders Street at east of FWP now open and utility work continues

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    There will continue to be work on Sanders to tie-in the stormwater and complete manhole work in the West side of Sanders near 9th, but Sanders will remain open.

    There will be ongoing work on the north side of MHS for buried power.

    The team will also be preparing for the next phase of work that will require the closure of the Roberts Street Parking lot beginning March 1st. Fiber Optic work will be the next step to prepare the site for foundation work.


  • Utility work continues...

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    CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS THIS WEEK:

    The installation of the new stormwater and sanitary utilities will continue along the west side of the Fish Wildlife & Parks Building. This has resulted in the closure of Sanders St that will last through Wednesday, January 27th.

    The construction team will be running tests this week on the new water main in 8th Avenue from Roberts St to Sanders St, along with the new water service into Fish Wildlife & Parks.

    The new water service and fire service that is being installed in the current Montana Historical Society Building will be completed this week.

    All the utility work is being completed in preparation for foundation work on the new building in the coming months.

  • Sanders to temporarily close.

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    North Sanders Street, between 8th and 9th Avenue, will be closed Friday, January 22 until Wednesday, January 27th for Sletten Construction to perform utility work to accommodate the new Montana Heritage Center.

    Please refer to the map for the locations of the closures.

    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 Update - Utility work continues as we prepare for building construction in the coming months.

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    This is the construction update for the week of January 11th. The following map highlights the available parking with the current construction. The parking lot to the east of MHS is complete and available for public parking. The ADA parking in front of Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is complete and available. The areas in read are closed due to utility work that is being completed in preparation for the new facility. The parking along Roberts St is currently available for public parking. We will continue to provide updates to the site each week.

  • Temporary Relocation of MHS Sculptures

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    supporting image

    “Symbol of the Pros” and “Herd Bull” are some of the most iconic pieces in the State’s care, both weighing over two tons.

    In order to get ready for the construction of the Montana Heritage Center, the steel and bronze titans needed to move.

    Crews first tackled “Herd Bull” by Sioux artists Benji Daniels.

    Measuring 24 feet wide and 7 feet high, the sculpture was created in 1990 with the assistance of Billings artist James Hadcock.

    After wrangling “Herd Bull” into place, crews made quick work of “Symbol of the Pros” by the late Browning Artist Bob Scriver.

    One of his largest bronzes, the statue stands 17 feet tall and dramatically captures a saddle bronc rider mid-buck.

    Upon his passing, Scrivener’s wife donated the massive bronze along with more than 3,000 other pieces.


    https://www.ktvh.com/news/a-couple-mhs-heavyweights-find-new-temporary-homes-during-construction

  • Permanent Closure of 6th Avenue

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    6th Avenue between N Roberts Street and N Sanders Street will close permanently on Tuesday, September 29.

    Construction on the new Montana Heritage Center is beginning. In May 2020, the City of Helena voted to approve the closure of this block of 6th Avenue to allow the new Heritage Center to connect to the existing Historical Society building. This street closure will allow the renovation of parking and ADA access in place for Fish, Wildlife and Parks as well as begin work on utilities.

    This may affect your regular travel patterns. Please plan accordingly for alternative routes. Directional signage will be posted throughout construction and check montanasmuseum.org for updates.

    Learn more about the decision-making process to close this block of 6th Avenue: https://montanamuseum.org/design/news_feed/project-milestone-closure-of-6th-avenue

Page last updated: 11 Sep 2025, 09:59 AM