Great Falls History
Historical Attractions – Wander the Old West
The history of the Old
West truly comes alive in Great Falls. From the Plains Indian
tribes who first made this area their home, to the explorers,
cowboys, and homesteaders, and cattle barons who followed,
they’ve all left their mark on this place.
Lewis and Clark National
Historic Trail Interpretive Center -
Overlooking the splendid Missouri River, the Center offers
hands-on exhibits, displays, interactive presentations and
knowledgeable guides where you can relive one of the most
exciting chapters in our nation's history. An annual June
Festival celebrates the Corps of Discovery and local Native
American culture, both forever changed by the expedition.
Ulm
Pishkun State Park - For more than 1,500 years
native peoples stampeded buffalo over these cliffs. Perhaps one
the longest and most-used buffalo jump sites in the country, you
will be drawn into the past of the Northern Plains and the
culture of its people.
History Museum (High
Plains Heritage Center) — Experience rough and
tumble cowboys, hearty homesteaders, and early entrepreneurs
that changed life on the great prairie.
Giant Springs Heritage State
Park
— Featuring one of the world's largest freshwater
springs, a superb trout hatchery, and the Roe River, recorded as
the world's shortest river in the Guinness Book of World
Records.
The original town site
of Great Falls is a place of tree-lined boulevards and historic
homes, all on view as part of the self-guided Historic Great
Falls Walking Tour. The district is on the National Register of
Historic Places and features 216 buildings, most constructed
between 1885 and 1945. The Bungalow, Prairie, Colonial, Revival,
Queen Anne, Victorian and Second Empire architectural styles are
all represented here. In addition, there are several guided
tours ready to show the best of the city. For more information
call the Great Falls Area Chamber at 406-761-4434 or
1-800-735-8535.
A member of the National Register of Historic Places, the
Ursuline Centre is a fully preserved Catholic academy-boarding
school. Visit the museum, notice the gargoyles over the front
door, examine the Native American relics and antique
furnishings, and you’ll want to linger in the third floor
Chapel, featuring the exquisitely beautiful murals painted by
Mother Raphael Schweda which have been preserved there since
1927.
Museums.
Right. Here:
-
The C.M. Russell Museum Complex -
Established in 1953, the C.M.
Russell Museum owns the most complete collection of Charles
Russell art and personal objects in the world.
-
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art -
Built in 1895, the Square now
houses a contemporary art museum, a historical society
exhibit, galleries, restaurant, and shopping area.
-
Ursuline Centre
- In addition to meeting educational and
spiritual needs, the fourth floor archive preserves the
documented history of the Ursuline Sisters in Montana,
Alaska, Oregon, Washington, California and Idaho .
-
History Museum
(Cascade County Historical Society
High Plains Heritage Center) -
The museum, which has over
95,000 objects in its permanent collection, offers changing
interpretive exhibits that tell the stories of the
individuals and groups who have added to the diversity of
the Central Montana region.
-
Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum -
One of the largest military
model aircraft displays in the northwest
-
Children’s Museum of Montana -
The Children's Museum of
Montana is full of innovative, hands-on activities and
interactive exhibits.
National Historic Sites
Photo. Right. Here.
Weather. Right. Here.
