3 Museums in Great Falls, MT

There’s nothing quite like soaking up a little history, and Great Falls, Montana certainly has plenty to choose from. Whether you’re a military buff, art fanatic, or scholar, there’s something for everyone in the area. Here are our three favorite museums in Great Falls.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center

Between 1804 and 1806 a historic expedition was mounted by Lewis and Clark which spanned over 8,000 miles of western North America, and you can relive it all at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Taking full advantage of the scenic landscape, the center was built into a picturesque bluff offering astonishing views of the Missouri River.

Within the center, you will find plenty for all ages, with ranger programs and exhibits that bring life at the turn of the 20th century to life in splendid style.

Your journey will begin indoors in the cozy theater, where you can watch one of the introductory films on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Following this, the trail leads outside to a ranger who will take you out to explore the wilderness surrounding the center.

In addition to this, you will also find an exhibit hall offering self-guided tours of an impressive two-story diorama depicting the five great falls of the Missouri River and their ports. With a realistic replica of the currents in the Missouri, you can test your strength against the mighty river while listening to an audio tour.

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art

For the more artistically inclined, Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is an active supporter of contemporary art and local culture in and around Great Falls and North Central Montana. Located in Paris Gibson Square, the museum is one of the oldest and most beloved landmarks in Great Falls and has acted as a center of growth and learning for over a century. A majestic building hewn from sandstone in 1896, it functioned as a high school for almost 80 years before closing in 1975.

Two years later it opened its doors to the community once again, this time as a historic building manned by volunteers dedicated to offering a broad range of dynamic art exhibitions, as well as educational lectures, classes, performances, and tours, which have delighted and nurtured the creative spirits of Great Falls ever since.

C.M. Russell Museum

Another great source of interest and learning is the C.M. Russell Museum which offers a lively schedule of classes, workshops, tours, and plenty of kids’ activities. As a hub for scholars in and around Great Falls, the museum offers a variety of opportunities for education and growth all year around. It’s also a great place to get your own piece of history, with a well-stocked gift shop offering home decor, jewelry, apparel, and handcrafted Native American arts and crafts from local artisans.

There is so much history surrounding the Great Falls area it’s hardly surprising so many excellent museums are on offer. Whether your interests lie in the cultural history of the state, a peek at frontier life at the dawn of Great Falls, or a chance to soak up some of the local art, there are plenty of places to visit and lots to learn.

 

“Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center” by Road Travel America, Licensed via CC BY 2.0

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