Dedicated August 10, 1957, the museum houses displays depicting cultural, business, industrial, military, agricultural and paleontological history. A very complete and comprehensive museum, it encompasses essentially every aspect of life and living in the central Montana area, including the age of the dinosaurs, 65,000,000 to 150,000,000 years ago, the arrival of North American Natives 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, and the arrival of European settlers, 150 years ago.
A dedication plaque can be found just inside the entrance, a very noticeable bronze plaque which lists the founder and directors of the museum at its opening:
CENTRAL MONTANA
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM
DEDICATED AUGUST 10,1957
• • •
EARL OTTO / FOUNDER
• • •
DIRECTORS
ASGER MIKKELSEN - PRESIDENT
HENRY SHIPMAN - H. LEONARD DE KALB - KNUT SAURE
DON PFAU - HERBERT HAIGHT - ERNEST STEVENS
WARD PENAKE - AL GATES - EDW. FIKE - CYRIL TUSS
OSCAR MUELLER - FRANK VALACH - EARL BOLLER
LEE BELDING - SECRETARY
In a fairly large building, the east end of which houses the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, the museum's collection contains a vast and eclectic array of artefacts, photographs, documents, maps and other paraphernalia collected together by the
Lewistown Chamber of Commerce, which oversees operation of the museum.
Central Montana Museum
The area’s history is chronologically portrayed beginning in the 1870’s when the area was largely unsettled and buffalo roamed the open prairies. Our museum features many photos and displays portraying the changes that resulted as many settlers from all walks of life came to this area and filed on homesteads. Also on exhibit are a variety of collections (dolls, hats, wedding dresses, fire arms, forts, fossils, historic replicas and dioramas, Indian artifacts, medical equipment and photos from St. Joseph’s Hospital, military, photos, musical instruments, and many others) and displays with interpretation featuring some of the area’s most notorious characters...
...You're most welcome to sit a spell and thumb through our extensive collections of photographs and local history books of Central Montana’s communities or view educational media in electronic format. A variety of books, memorabilia, musical CDs, videos and locally made products are for sale in the store area located near the front door.
Our displays are ever-changing as we strive to make each visit unique and memorable. We sure hope that you'll stop in and explore Central Montana's past. We'd be mighty obliged, too, if you'd encourage your friends and acquaintances to visit us as well.
From the Central Montana Museum