Area museums offer history, tours, art
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News from the Mission Valley Museum Consortium
Arlee
Arlee Jocko Valley Museum
Our historic site opened on July 4. We will be open from 2-4 p.m. on July 20, Aug. 3, 17, 31 and Sept. 2, Labor Day.
The museum has many historical displays including many photographs of Native and homesteading families. There are hundreds of obituaries with genealogy information. The museum is located at the corner of Bouch and Fyant (by the grade school). Come view our beautiful war memorial, which is just outside the museum.
Volunteers are needed. Call 406-726-3167 to volunteer or for information.
St. Ignatius
St. Ignatius Mission Church
St. Ignatius Mission Church is known for its murals, which were painted by Brother Carignano, the Jesuit Mission cook. The murals, painted from 1904-1905 have suffered damaged over the last 100 years. Restoration of the murals began in the summer of 2018 and continues this summer. Major scaffolding is erected to continue the restoration of the three murals, called the triptych, located behind the main altar.
Visitors may visit the church to view the murals and the restoration progress.
The church’s summer visiting hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The gift shop museum, in the original Jesuit cabin built in 1854, is open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. most days, depending on volunteers. Visitors may also explore the Sisters of Providence cabin built in 1864.
All persons are invited to join us for Sunday Mass at 9 a.m.
St. Ignatius Mission Church is located at 300 Bear Track Avenue, St. Ignatius, MT 59865
Four Winds Indian Trading Post
Come visit the historic Four Winds Indian Trading Post in the original log building that was built in the 1870s by Duncan McDonald, the son of Angus McDonald, the famous Hudson’s Bay Company fur trader. Shop our large selection of beads, beadwork, craft supplies, moccasins, herbs, Native American books, CDs and artifacts. The trading post is located 3 miles north of St. Ignatius on Highway 93 and is open daily from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Charlo
Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana
The museum’s new exhibit continues: “CAKARPEKNAKI: With Respect and Without Waste,” celebrates the culture and traditions of Alaskan Natives through a carved ivory collection recently donated to the museum by member Hugh Magnussen in honor of his wife Jutta.
Artists booths, traditional skills demonstrations and live music will be featured at our fourth annual Cultural Arts Fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. Call 406-644-3435 to schedule a group or school tour.
Ronan
Garden of the Rockies Museum
Change is in the air and we invite you to stop by and check it out. We have added three new display cases in our main building, and have redone our entryway to include a couple of new exhibits.
We have been blessed with a number of volunteers who have helped with maintenance/upkeep, donations, and sitters who make it possible for us to keep our doors open. They are: Jim Sheumaker, Sam Mocabee, Rob and Kevin Myers, Phil Grant, Marilyn Tanner, Brennan Roullier, Rob Shrider, Western Building Center, Dan Miller (City of Ronan), Martin and Vicki Olsson, Derrell Peel, Pat Armstrong, Helen Sorenson, Ann Sias, and Judy Doyle. Your efforts and support are greatly appreciated. The P.E.O. recently held a very successful rummage sale in the gymnasium and additional sales will be happening in upcoming weeks. Anyone interested in renting the gym for an event is asked to call Patti at 406-676-3261. Our museum is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pablo
The People’s Center & Museum
Owned and operated by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, our 1200-square-foot museum shares the histories and stories of the Salish, Pend d’Oreille and Kootenai people. The People’s Center is the place to hear the stories from our tribal elders and histories told by our tribal people. There are new exhibits happening in the museum and education room for your viewing pleasure. Guided tours are available all year. Our gift shop offers many beautiful beaded items made by our tribal members and members of other tribes; gifts such as beaded earrings, necklaces, wallets, moccasins, barrettes and T-shirts, coffee mugs, native-design shorts, hats, blankets, craft supplies and books, along with many more items to choose from. Plan a family trip here and view the museum. You can purchase a native game and/or a craft. Check our web page at www.peoplescenter.org, or our Facebook page “Sqelixw Aqlsmaknik,” for updates on classes and activities or to book a tour. The People’s Center and Museum’s summer hours are Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Our Friday Arts and Crafts Day continues all year long from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Come learn to bead, sew, color, draw or share your knowledge with others. Call 406-675-0160 for additional information. Thank you for your support and patronage.
Polson
Polson Flathead Lake Museum (formerly Polson Flathead Historical Museum)
We are open through Sept. 16, Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1-4 p.m. With our new name comes a renewed focus on the many exhibits in the museum that highlight life on Flathead Lake from the late 1800s through the 1970s. Exhibits include a 1940s sailboat, Copper Cup Regatta hydroplane race memorabilia and many photos of boating and transportation of people, freight, timber, etc. from those long ago days. Our exhibits includes our Flathead Lake “Monster” caught from Flathead Lake in 1955. The museum is also available for reunions, wedding receptions, other small gatherings and guided tours. Call 406-249-7641 if you wish to book the museum for your event.
