Tour the State's Most Notable Historic Treasures
The Museum at the Montana Heritage Center
The Montana Historical Society is proud to operate the Montana Heritage Center. Visit to learn more about history, art, and culture and explore our new Homeland, Charlie Russell, and Changing Galleries.
Montana Heritage Center Hours:
- Monday - Wednesday & Friday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am-6:30 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Starting Monday, June 8th, MTHS will provide daily tours of the Heritage Center
To register for your tours visit https://MTHS-mt.libcal.com/calendar/mthstourcalendarthis link
General Tour of the Montana Heritage Center
Monday- Friday 9:30 am & 3 pm
This one-hour tour is a perfect introduction to the three galleries and public spaces of the Montana Heritage Center. Highlighting historical themes and the physical design of the building, this tour offers valuable background information that will deepen your own exploration of the exhibits in the Montana Heritage Center.
Duration: 1 hour
Limit to 22 participants
Montana Homeland Gallery
Monday- Sunday 11 am
Explore the 16,000 square foot Homeland Gallery with one of the MTHS guides highlighting the stories and objects that connect people and place. Tour guides engage participants imagination with stories and hands-on interactive materials to illuminate Montana History from the Ice Age to modern times.
Duration: 1 hour
Limit to 22 participants
Charlie M. Russell Gallery Tour
Monday- Sunday 1 pm
Join MTHS guides for an engaging exploration of the Charlie M. Russell Gallery. Reconnect with the life and times of Montana's cowboy artist, or experience his masterpieces for the first time.
Duration: 1 hour
Limit to 22 participants
Changing Gallery
The Most Difficult Journey: The Poindexter Collection of Modern Art
Monday- Friday 2:00 pm
This thirty-minute gallery tour frames The Poindexter Collection of Modern Art in a historical context and invites guests to take their “difficult journey” to see this world class exhibit of abstract art in a new light.
Duration: 30 minutes
Limit: 20 participants
The Montana State Capitol
The Capitol building is open Monday – Friday, 7:00 am - 6:00 pm and weekends, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.
The Capitol building is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day and may be closed to the general public occasionally on weekends for scheduled routine maintenance. * NOTE: There is scheduled construction on the Montana Statehouse the summer of 2026, but the space remains open to the public
The Capitol is open through the week and weekend for self-guided tours during business hours (above).
- Self-guiding tour booklets and a scavenger hunt for kids led by Lewis and Clark’s intrepid Newfoundland, Seaman, are available at the first-floor information desk.
- You can also download the interactive student guide to the Montana State Capitol, "Explore Your Statehouse," take this forty-three minute video tour, or this virtual tour of the Capitol.
- Click this link for more Montana State Capitol information.
Free Capitol Tours for the Public:
The Montana Historical Society continues with our popular Capitol tours that highlight the art, architecture, and civics in the "People's House." This one hour tour moves through the public spaces of the Montana Statehouse, including a stop in the gallery of the House of Representatives where participants can view the iconic Charlie Russell painting, “Lewis and Clark Meet the Salish at Ross’s Hole.”
Through October 17th:
Monday- Friday 9:30 am & 3 pm
Saturdays- 9:30 am
Meet at the first floor of the Montana Capitol at the sign that reads, "Capitol Tours meet here."
To register for for the public tours visit https://MTHS-mt.libcal.com/calendar/mthstourcalendarthis link
If you would like to schedule a tour for your non-commercial tour group outside of the hours listed above, please use this link. https://MTHS-mt.libwizard.com/id/9d0af1931fa6ce08d22d56740b77c3aa
Commercial Tours- For groups aligned with FOR PROFIT tour companies.
- Tours are available for groups but must be scheduled in advance with Darby.Bramble2@mt.gov
- Tour capacity is 30 people.
- Tour cost is $100/per tour for commercial tours
The Original Governor's Mansion
The Original Governor’s Mansion is closed for construction. We apologize for any inconvenience during the renovation of the porch and balustrade.
Saturday Tours will resume September 19th. 1 pm and 2:30 pm through June 1st.
The Original Governor's Mansion is located at 304 North Ewing, Helena. Visit this ornate, Queen Anne-Style mansion that served as home to Montana's First Families from 1913-1959. Take yourself on a virtual tour of the Original Governor's Mansion or view a twenty-minute video tour.
Tour capacity is 20 people. There is no admission fee, and admission is on a first-come, first-served basis - no advanced reservations required.
If you have questions, or concerns reach out to Darby.Bramble2@mt.govor
Commercial Tours
- Tours are available for groups but must be scheduled in advance with Darby.Bramble2@mt.gov
- Maximum 24 people.
- Tour cost is $100/ per tour for commercial tours
Tours for School Groups and/or Youth
To schedule a field trip at the Montana Heritage Center, Montana State Capitol, or the Original Governor's Mansion for Fall 2026 and 2027, please complete this form.
Original Governor’s Mansion
Join our engaging tour guides on a one-hour tour to explore the Queen Anne-Style Mansion that served as home to Montana’s First Families.
The Montana Capitol
Students learn about architecture, art, civics, and Montana history during this one-hour tour of “The People’s House.”
Many teachers add a visit to the Secretary of State (30 minutes), or the Montana Supreme Court (45 minutes) to the Capitol experience. You may schedule these extra opportunities directly with these offices.
- Secretary of State: (406) 444-2034
- Supreme Court:
(406) 444-5570
The Museum at the Montana Heritage Center Explore hands-on materials and exhibits from the Homeland Gallery and Charlie Russell Gallery to connect students to Montana history and culture. A student-centered guided tour of each gallery lasts one hour.
The Montana Historical Society will accept field trip requests on a first come, first-served basis. Please schedule your field trip at least TWO WEEKS prior to the date of your arrival.
Montana Historical Society History and Civics Travel Grant Information
Starting September 4, you may also use this form apply for grant money to offset travel costs to Helena if you travel more than fifty miles (one-way) and teach Social Studies, or Indigenous History, Language and/or Culture in Montana.
Grant application period closes October 30th.
If you do not require grant funding to travel, and you would like to reserve a date to visit the Montana Capitol, Original Governor’s Mansion, Homeland and Charlie Russell Gallery, MTHS tour staff can book your field trip today. Last year, spring field trips filled by April, so save your date early.
To apply for the grant, or to schedule fieldtrips, please complete this form.
If you have any questions or comments regarding fieldtrips, or grant funding please call Darby Bramble at
