Montana Heritage Center, Helena, MT

Important Requirements

Lottery Information

A lottery process is in effect for this program. Lottery entry opens January 8, 2026 and closes at the end of the day January 15, 2026. Tuition is due at the time of lottery entry. Selected registrants will be notified via email by January 20, 2026. Any registrants who are not selected will be placed on the waitlist in case of a cancellation and will have their lottery payment refunded. Click or tap here for full details about the lottery process.

Activity Level

This tour requires low to moderate activity. Participants must be able to meet ALL the physical requirements outlined at the bottom of this page.

Description

This one-day tour offers OLLI members private guided tours of the brand-new Montana Heritage Center and Montana Historical Archives, which are now housed in the same building. After more than a decade of planning, the Center is set to open in December 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for June 2026. The Center offers 66,000 square feet of new interactive exhibit space, which includes three galleries, an outdoor interpretive walk through a Montana prairie, the Montana Historical Archives and Research Center, café and meeting spaces. The Center's architecture and design are stunning, crafted to embody the interplay of nature, culture and history that define the character and distinctiveness of the Treasure State. Lunch at the museum café is included in the price.

Travel

Participants are responsible for their own transportation for the 1.5-hour trip to Helena. The Heritage Center and Montana Historical Archives are located at 225 Roberts St, Helena, MT 59620. Parking is free and available on a first-come/first-served basis.

Itinerary

Morning

9:45 a.m. Arrive at the Montana Heritage Center, 225 Roberts St, Helena, MT 59620. Meet in the lobby for introductions, nametags, hearing devices and to meet our guide.

10:00 a.m. Begin private guided tour of the Homeland Gallery featuring exhibits with interactive displays that chronicle Montana history, including a Sovereign Nations exhibit highlighting Montana's indigenous peoples.

11:00 a.m. Free time to explore on your own.

12:00 p.m. Lunch at the Heritage Center café (included in the price).

Afternoon

1:00 p.m. Tour of the new Charlie Russell Gallery, which chronicles the life, work and art of Charlie Russell.

2:30 p.m. Private, guided tour of the Montana Historical Society Archives and Research Center.

3:30 p.m. Tours conclude. Meet in the lobby to collect hearing devices, name tags, etc. Return to Bozeman on your own or linger in Helena. See suggestions below.

Free time options at museum:

• Explore the Heritage Center on your own.
• Visit a third rotating gallery with space for multiple exhibits. Plans for spring 2026 are to feature the Poindexter Collection of Modern Art.
• Take a self-guided outdoor interpretive walk through a Montana prairie.
• Visit the expanded Heritage Center bookstore and gift shop.

More to come: Things to do in Helena/Places to stay. Resources: books, articles and videos.

Activity Level

This tour requires low to moderate activity.

• Participants must be able to walk and stand for up to 1.5 hours during tours in the Heritage Center.
• Handicapped accessible.
• Hearing devices will be made available at no charge.

Scholarship

Apply for a needs-based scholarship before registering for this program. The application deadline is March 9, 2026.

Apply for a needs-based scholarship to take this offering.