The Granite County Museum & Cultural Center, located in the historic Courtney Hotel on South Sansome Street, was founded in 1991 with the help of dedicated volunteers and generous donors and held its grand opening May, 1992.
The first floor of the old hotel was completely remodeled to provide museum display space, a community center, and gift shop. The museum provides visitors with the opportunity to view photographs showing what life was like for the early day miners, ranchers, and townspeople.
The Ghost Town Hall of Fame is located in the museum and gives a pictorial history of Montana ghost towns. Local residents have donated and loaned articles of clothing, furniture, and day-to-day items that were used by their ancestors. Revolving displays are changed every few months.
The Granite Mountain Mining exhibit was added in 1996. This 4,000 square foot area consists of an underground mining tour, an exhibit of early mining equipment and a grand mural of the famous ghost town of Granite. Nearly 20 ghost towns are within 30 miles of Philipsburg including Granite, Tower, Garnet, New Chicago, Southern Cross and Georgetown.
There is a Pioneer Life exhibit on the lower level. It features artifacts used in everyday life 100 years ago.
