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 a cool museum in downtown Billings, Montana, United States. It's located inside the old Parmly Billings Memorial Library building, which was built way back in 1901. This building is really grand, with two tall towers, and it's even listed as a special historic place.
The museum shows off unique exhibits about the history of south-central Montana and the Northern Plains. It also keeps important stories and items from the Yellowstone River Valley. The Western Heritage Center celebrated its 50th birthday in 2021!
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About the Museum
The Western Heritage Center is a top-notch museum. It used to be connected with the famous Smithsonian Institution. It is also approved by the American Alliance of Museums. This means it meets high standards for museums.
How the Museum Started
The museum first opened its doors in 1971. A group of local citizens worked hard to save the old library building from being torn down. They wanted to create a place where people could learn about history. The founders planned for the museum to have changing exhibits. They also wanted it to offer programs for the community. They even wanted to use new technology to share history.
Special Achievements
The Western Heritage Center has won some important awards. In 2001, it received the Montana Governor's Humanities Award. This was a big deal because the award usually goes to individuals. In 2002, the museum became the first Smithsonian-affiliated museum in the Northern Plains.
From 2004 to 2009, the museum received special funding. This money helped with a project to save the histories of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribes. The Western Heritage Center is one of only six museums in Montana approved by the American Alliance of Museums.
What You Can Do There
The Western Heritage Center offers many fun and educational activities.
Programs and Events
- High Noon Lecture Series: Each month, you can attend a talk and video show. These talks are about different history topics.
- Hoof It with a Historian: You can join a walking tour to explore historic places. A historian will guide you and share interesting facts.
- Traveling Exhibits: The museum has fourteen exhibits that can travel to other places. This helps more people learn about history.
- Community Partnerships: The museum works with other museums, schools, and businesses. They also take part in local events.
Exhibits and Collections
The museum usually creates six to seven new exhibits each year. Most of these exhibits are based on new research. The Western Heritage Center also publishes books, videos, and learning kits. These materials help people learn more about the region's history.
The museum takes care of about 40,000 items. These items help tell the story of the Yellowstone River Valley. The museum is open to the public from early March to late December. You can visit Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Yellowstone County helps support the museum with yearly funding.
