Gallatin History Museum

formally called Gallatin Historical Society Pioneer MuseumTo step back in time and learn about Gallatin County s heritage, visit the Pioneer Museum in Bozeman. The museum offers a unique glimpse into the area past. Together with jail cells and a hanging gallows, the museum has displays dealing with the pioneers who settled the valley. For example, there a reconstructed log cabin, a model of old Fort Ellis, the infamous Big Horn Gun, Indian artifacts, five generations of wedding dresses from the Accola-Spain family, and even a porcelain dolls that belonged to a girl who came to Bozeman by wagon in 1864.
The museum also houses more recent artifacts such as a Model A automobile, old telephones and radios, clothing and other household objects. The museum also boasts a photo archive with more than 10,000 historic images that can be reproduced for a small fee. There’s a research library that includes a special Lewis and Clark collection and files on many Gallatin County communities and families. The bookstore has hard-to-find materials dealing with the history of Gallatin County for sale at reasonable prices.
The Pioneer Museum is operated by the Gallatin County Historical Society, an organization founded in 1977 to preserve and promote the history of the county. The museum has been located in the old jail since 1979 and is not a County agency. It does not receive any tax dollars, but instead relies strictly on memberships, donations, and memorials to operate. Members receive a quarterly newsletter that features articles on local history.
The Gallatin Pioneer Museum is located on Main Street to the immediate west of the County Courthouse and adjacent to the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
May 15 – September 15 Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
September 15 – May 15 Tuesday – Friday 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
No Admission Charged