Governor Gianforte Announces Montana Heritage Center Receives National Award

Governor's Office

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the Montana Historical Society has been selected to receive the Museum Impact Award from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for its work in developing the Montana Heritage Center.

"Congratulations to the Montana Heritage Center on this national recognition," Gov. Gianforte said. "The center is a world-class exhibit of the story of Montana and the people who built it made for all people to visit, learn, and share in our state's history."

Gov. Gianforte helping cut the ribbon on the Montana Heritage Center in Helena in December 2025

In December 2025, Gov. Gianforte cut the ribbon on the Montana Heritage Center and celebrated the completion of the $107 million project. The center features three galleries including the Homeland Gallery showcasing a walkthrough of Montana history dating back to the Ice Age, the Charles M. Russell Gallery, and the Changing Gallery which showcases a rotating selection of exhibits.

The AAM is the only organization representing the full scope of the museum field in the United States and its Museum Impact Award is given to individuals, programs, and institutions whose work is driving meaningful change in museum workplace culture and in engagement with audiences and communities. The honor will be presented at the 2026 AAM Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo in Philadelphia on May 20.

"When communities are welcomed as co-authors of history, museum spaces become more truthful, more relevant, and more inspiring," said Molly Kruckenberg, director of the Montana Historical Society. "That is what we set out to build, and we are honored to have this work recognized on a national stage."

Since opening in December, the Montana Heritage Center has welcomed over 60,000 visitors including over 7,330 students from over 200 schools across 35 Montana counties. Through the Montana History & Civics Education Endowment fund, to date, over $84,700 in field trip grant funds have been awarded to 57 schools from 24 counties, including to schools on the Crow, Blackfeet, Flathead, Fort Belknap, and Fort Peck reservations.

The Montana Heritage Center is located at 225 North Roberts Street in Helena. Admission is free, and the museum is open 7 days a week. For more information on the Montana Historical Society and Montana Heritage Center, visit mths.mt.gov.

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