Western Heritage Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Parmly Billings Memorial Library
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The building in 1920.
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| Location | 2822 Montana Ave., Billings, Montana |
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| Built | 1901 |
| Architect | Charles S. Haire |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000740 |
| Added to NRHP | 26 October 1972 |
The Western Heritage Center is an exciting museum located in downtown Billings, Montana, United States. It's housed in a beautiful old building called the Parmly Billings Memorial Library, which was built in 1901. This building is very special, with two tall towers, and it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The museum features unique exhibits about the history of south-central Montana and the Northern Plains. It also keeps many important oral histories and artifacts that tell the story of the Yellowstone River Valley. The Western Heritage Center celebrated its 50th birthday in 2021!
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Discovering the Western Heritage Center
The Western Heritage Center is a museum that has been recognized for its high standards. It is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. This means it meets strict rules for how museums should be run. The museum first opened its doors in 1971. Before that, a group of local citizens worked hard to save the historic building from being torn down.
How the Museum Started
The people who started the museum wanted it to be a place where visitors could learn in many ways. They planned for the museum to have changing exhibits, special programs for the community, and to use new technologies. This helped make learning about history fun and interactive for everyone.
Awards and Special Projects
The Western Heritage Center has received several important awards. In 2001, it earned the Montana Governor's Humanities Award. This was a big deal because the award usually goes to individuals, not organizations. In 2002, the museum became the first museum in the Northern Plains to be connected with the famous Smithsonian Institution.
From 2004 to 2009, the museum received special funding from the United States Department of the Interior. This money helped with the American Indian Tribal Histories Project. This project worked to preserve the important histories of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribes. The Western Heritage Center is one of only six museums in Montana to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
What You Can Do at the Museum
The Western Heritage Center offers many fun and educational programs.
- High Noon Lecture Series: Each month, the museum hosts a lecture and video series. You can learn about different topics related to the region's history.
- Hoof It with a Historian: This is a walking tour program. You can explore historic areas with a historian who shares interesting facts.
- Traveling Exhibits: The museum has fourteen traveling exhibits. These exhibits can visit other museums, schools, and businesses.
- Community Partnerships: The museum works with other regional museums, schools, and local businesses. They also take part in many local events.
The Western Heritage Center usually puts on six to seven new exhibits each year. Most of these exhibits are based on new and original research. The museum also publishes books, video materials, and education kits. These resources help people learn even more about the history of the region.
Caring for History
The museum takes care of about 40,000 artifacts. These items help tell the story and show the history of the Yellowstone River Valley.
Visiting the Museum
The museum is open to the public for most of the year. You can visit between early March and late December. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 AM to 5 PM. The museum gets its yearly funding and support from Yellowstone County.
