Harlowton Museum Exhibits

The ever changing displays in our museum will soon feature vintage western clothing.

Take a break in our theater and enjoy a movie about the people and the history of Montana.

Saddle up the bar and read about the Upper Musselshell Valley’s people and their history.

This 1900’s buggy and traveling coat are two of several artifacts representative of early 1900’s travel in the Valley.

The 50’s apartment, original to the Marshal Building, is decked out in 50’s artifacts. Display was done by Lynn Graves with the assistance of Sharla Hatveldt.

Travel Display, done by Sharla Hatveldt, displays souvenirs from people who ventured beyond the Valley.

The toy room is proof that our parents and grandparents had more than rocks and sticks to play with.

Winter Display Case

Beach Display Case includes photographs from Harlowton’s first swimming pool in the city park.

The Robertson Jewelry Store’s display case houses our collections of crystal, silver, and hand painted china.

'Mom’s Closet' display contains period hats, coats, and clothing

Betty Deering Fraley has put together a lovely room in memory of the Paden—Deering family.

One of two Heritage Rooms owned by Irwin Allen, long time Snowy Mountain rancher, contains a collection of tools used by his family.

Items from the Allen Ranch of yesteryears decorate the second of Irwin Allen’s Heritage Rooms.

Loretta Swanson’s extensive doll collection is enjoyed by young and old.

Diane Martin Morse and Kay Martin have combined the clothing and artifacts of the Martin Family, long time ranchers on Big Elk, in a display.

Baby clothing and photographs owned by the Martin's have been arranged, along with family documents and other articles, by Kay Martin in an historical exhibit.

The Arthur’s (Big Elk ranchers), the Cosgriffe’s (early Harlowton freight line owners) and the Moore’s (Two Dot ranching family) are represented in this room with possessions from all three families gathered together. Harry and Peg Cosgriffe's Room.

Memories of family are presented in Margie Ewing’s Room. A period dressing set reminds us of a more formal past.

Stan and Enid Kalberg’s Heritage Room displays rodeo memorabilia along with impressive sculptures and 'Sis' Hicks 100 year-old doll.

This small corner room is rich with color and history containing an eclectic group of artifacts ranging from gold pans to glass marbles to shirtwaists. Dick and Nancy Stoltz Heritage Room.

Tucked away behind the windows of the August and Effie Winsky Heritage Room are the memories of a railroader/rancher and schoolteacher.

A replica of a one-room school house from the area is on display, showing how it 'used to be.' (Times Building)

The school room has many artifacts from past teachers and students from the Valley. (Times Building)

From the Spanish American War all the way up to present day, the Military Display, put together by Marlene Robertson, honors local heroes who served for our country.

Medical display shares the history of some of area and local doctors and nurses as well as artifacts used in the medical field.

The John & Ida Belle Pederson collection, the largest collection of HO scale Milwaukee Road models in the United States, tells the story of railroads in Central Montana including The Montana Railroad (the Jawbone), the Milwaukee Road, the White Sulphur Springs & Yellowstone Park Railroad, the BNSF and Montana Rail Link.

The Native American display features the Harlan Lucas Collection and contains artifacts found in numerous bison kill sites and campsites around the Upper Musselshell Valley as well as other parts of the state.

The cattle industry has played a vital part in the development of the Upper Musselshell Valley and continues to play a major part.

The office display, done by Sharla Hatveldt, includes numerous typewriters and adding machines, as well as office supplies.

Howard Stewart Collection is a miniature pack string decked out with handmade harnesses, saddles, and more.

Our general store display shows off a collection of various goods from several different decades.

Checks and receipts from early area banks and businesses.

Several banks existed in the Valley during the 1900’s. Even though only one survived, you can still see checks and other artifacts of the banks in the teller cage.

Silver Dresser set

Silver Dresser set in wooden box and gold dresser set.

Men’s Jewelry box with fan and a lady’s jewelry box.

Men’s Jewelry box with fan.

This sled hearse used by the Masons came from Castle Town. It is still home to our ghoulish resident.

Avaceratops Lammersi, also known as 'Ava,' was discovered north of Shawmut and is the first of its kind. Ava is one of fifteen stops on the Dinosaur Trail. 'Ava' joins other fine specimens of the geological history of the Upper Musselshell Valley.