Cultural Activities
C. M. Russell Museum Complex
Famous western artist C.M.Russell's log home and studio stand in the middle of Great
Falls' original townsite - 400 13th Street North. Open all year. Admission fee.
Established in 1953, the C.M. Russell Museum owns the most complete collection of
Russell art and personal objects in the world. The permanent collection is comprised of
over 12,000 art works and objects. View one of the nation’s finest collections of
Western art and history in spacious, modern surroundings.
The Trigg collection is the nucleus of the museum’s permanent Russell acquisitions.
Highly personal and unique, it shows the wide scope of Russell’s works and talents.
Some of the most popular exhibits are his illustrated letters, which feature Russell’s
original spelling, entertaining illustrations and down-to-earth humor and philosophy.
This museum has outstanding pieces from Russell contemporaries to works of such
world renowned artists as O.C. Seltzer, J.H. Sharp, E.E. Heikka, E.I. Couse, Winold
Reiss, Olaf Wieghorst and others. The museum shop offers many unique gifts such as
jewelry, Russell prints and fine Western books. The complex also includes the former
home and log cabin studio of Montana’s famous cowboy artist. Preserved as it was in
the early 1900’s, the studio includes displays of Russell’s personal objects used as
props and references for accuracy.
The C.M. Russell Museum is located off Interstate 15. Take the 10th Avenue South
exit to 15th Street (this is a one-way street going north) to 5th Avenue North. Turn
west to 13th Street. The Museum Complex is on the southwest corner of 13th Street
and 5th Avenue North.
Cowboy Museum
The Cowboys Museum is one of the Many projects the Montana Cowboys
Association has undertaken to perpetuate the historical importance of our Western
heritage. Built in the late 1930's by the National Youth Administration and opened in
1941, the Cowboys Museum is an authentic log cabin with double fireplaces and
replicas of hitching posts from Montana's frontier days.
Exhibits include a lady's intricately fashioned side-saddle, a trickrope saddle, numerous
Indian artifacts, and a Kimball-Reed organ that way brought down-river from St. Louis
to Fort Benton. Montana in 1876. There is also a gun collection that even avid gun
collectors would be in awe of. There are also a number of special exhibits including a
pair of spurs given to Jack Kennedy in 1890 by Tom Horn (the subject of the Steve
McQueen movie, ‘Tom Horn’), a rivet set made by Kid Curry, and local cowboy artist
Charlie Russell's black boots, and a list that goes on with over 500 momentos of a
romantic era in our nation's history and is an integral part of Montana's past.
Located across from the Fair Grounds at 311 3rd Street NW.
Paris Gibson Square
Home to the Cascade County Historical Museum and Archives and the Paris Gibson
Square Museum of Art.
The museum is located in Paris Gibson Square, a Norman stone building between
Central Avenue and 1st Avenue North. and Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets. It can be
reached by turning south off 10th Avenue South onto Fifteenth Street and proceeding
to Central Avenue. The Cascade County Archives is located on the third floor of the
Great Falls Public Library, located at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 3rd Street.
Built in 1895 the building was Great Falls original Central High School. It was later
Paris Gibson Junior High. A controversial piece of artwork graces the lawn and serves
as a gateway of sorts. Besides the museum and archives there are galleries, a restaurant
and gift shop. Located at 1400 1st Avenue North in Great Falls, this historic building
has just recently won a new lease on life through the generous contributions of the
citizens and businesses of Great Falls.
Malmstrom Air Museum
Located just inside the main gate of the Air Force base located at the east end of 2nd
Avenue North. The Malmstrom Park has numerous static display aircraft from years
gone by along with specialized vehicles such as a missile transporter, old field
ambulance and an armored security vehicle.
There's also a building on the park grounds which houses a vast array of items and
information that explains the history and purpose for the base.
Music
Great Falls Symphony Orchestra
Community Concert Series
Municipal Band Concerts
Drama
Summer Musical
Shakespeare in the Park
Center Stage Repertory Theater
Dance
Native American
S.A. Mick McClary, P.O. Box 6245, Great Falls, Montana USA 59406