History is everywhere in Montana. Even before Montana became a state in 1889, there was a historical society. This dedication to preserving and interpreting history lives on today, from local history museums to National Battlefields and Landmarks.
In 1863 Bill Fairweather and his party discovered gold in southwestern Montana. They were on their way to Yellowstone Country from Bannack but were waylaid by a band of Crows. While hiding from the Indians in a gulch they found gold. They named the gulch after the alder trees lining the gulch. Alder was one of the great gold producers of all time. The site of the largest placer gold strike in...
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"Inch for inch, the best museum in the world." That's how legendary Harvard scientist Edward O. Wilson described us, and we invite you to come see for yourself! ACRM inspires visitors of all ages to explore the past and imagine the future of the Information Age through thought-provoking exhibits, innovative storytelling, and the bold exchange of ideas. Our exhibits span 4,000 years of human histor...
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The old Anaconda Copper Company smelter stack, completed in 1919, is one of the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world at 585 feet. The inside diameter is 75 feet at bottom, tapering to 60 feet at the top. In comparison, the Washington Monument is 555 feet tall.
The stack dominates the landscape like the Company once dominated the area's economic life. Since the smelter closed in...
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Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts (The Bray) was founded at the foothills of the Montana Rockies in 1951 by entrepreneur, brickmaker, and avid arts patron Archie Bray, who intended it to be a place to “make available for all who are seriously interested in the ceramic arts, a fine place to work.” Through summer and long-term studio experiences, the Bray Resident Artist Program offers an...
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A registered historic landmark and the site of Montana's first major gold discovery on July 28, 1862. Please visit our website for more information!
The park is 5,837 feet in elevation and approximately 1,600 acres. The campgrounds have 28 sites. A tepee is also available to rent. The Yankee Flats Shelter and picnic site is available to rent for large groups. There is a 14 day camping limit and f...
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One of three sites of the Nez Perce National Historic Park in Montana, the Bear Paw Battlefield is located 16 miles south of Chinook on Highway 240. At this site the Nez Perce Indians surrendered to the US Army on October 5, 1877, after a 1,300 mile retreat. It was here that Chief Joseph spoke his famous words, 'From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.' Facilities include a pi...
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Sacagawea, a young Shoshone Indian guide traveling with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, recognized this rock formation and knew that she may be in the vicinity of her relatives. The sighting gave the expedition hope that they may be able to find Native peoples from which to acquire horses for their trip across the mountains to the Pacific Ocean.
"The Indian woman recognized the point o...
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