Fort Benton Montana's Museums and Heritage Complex




 Welcome to Historic Fort Benton Montana's Heritage Complex
of
World Class Museums and Research Facilities

Located in Fort Benton "The Birthplace of Montana"™  the Heritage Complex is the home of Old Fort Benton, The Museum of the Upper Missouri, The State of Montana's Museum of the Northern Great Plains, Homestead Village, The Hornaday Smithsonian Buffalo Gallery, The Upper Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center, The Overholser Research Center, The Schwinden Library, and The Montana Agricultural Center


  • Historic Old Fort Benton
  • Cheif Joseph's Surrender Rifle
  • The Hornaday Smithsonian Bison
  • Homestead Village



Step back in time as you explore the history of the American West at Fort Benton, Montana's remarkable museums. Explore hundreds of years of frontier history. The time of the Blackfeet hunts on the northern plains, the passage of Lewis & Clark, the fur & robe trade from palisaded forts along the Upper Missouri, and the final attempts to settle the great plains...all the stories are yours to experience at Fort Benton's remarkable museums.

Significant items on display include:
  • Chief Joseph's Surrender Rifle at the Upper Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center
  • The 5 Millionth IHC/Farmall Tractor at the Museum of the Northern Great Plains
  • John Mix Stanley's portrait of Alexander Culbertson and the Hornaday Smithsonian Gallery
  • Alexander Culbertson's sword and Andrew Dawson's shotgun at Historic Old Fort Benton
  • The bell and telegraph from the Steamboat Yellowstone
  • The Hornaday Smithsonian Bison

At Fort Benton's museums, you’ll explore 200 years of Western and frontier history... authentic stories of great adventure and sometimes great tragedies.

Come See Why National Geographic recommends Fort Benton's Museums

  Discover  -  Experience  - Connect

Historic Old Fort Benton

The Starr Gallery of Western Art

The Museum of the Northern Great Plains

The Hornaday/Smithsonian Buffalo and Western Art Gallery

Homestead Village

The Museum of the Upper Missouri

The Upper Missouri River Breaks
NM Interpretive Center


Looking for something special to do....check out our Special Events


The River and Plains Society Thanks our 2013 Business Sponsors


For Further Information Contact
The River and Plains Society
P.O. Box 262
Fort Benton, Montana 59442
406-622-5316
8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon - Weekdays
Email the Museum's Office
Email the Library and Archives

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*  Home  *  Old Fort Benton  *  Starr Gallery  *  Museum of the Northern Great Plains  *  Homestead Village  *  Hornaday Bison  * 

*  Museum of the Upper Missouri  *  Upper Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center  *  Montana Agricultural Center  *   Research *

*  Plan A Visit  *  Map  * School Tours  * Special Events  *  Newsroom  *  Bookstore  *  Videos *  Sponsors  *  Support  *  Volunteer  * 

*  Brochure  *  Fort Benton History Blog    *  Links  *


Photographs and artwork within this website may not be copied or reproduced without written permission of the River & Plains Society. Copyright and reproduction rights apply.