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MUSEUM OF THE NORTHERN GREAT
PLAINS
1205 20th Street
The Museum of the Northern
Great Plains documents the last one hundred years of life on the
plains. The fur traders, wilderness animals and open land
had made way to the cowboy and herds of cattle, now families
began to move onto the land. It was not gold or silver that
brought people to these plains, but dreams for a better life.
Thousands of families came by train and wagon to settle on the
vast short-grass prairie; families who became known as the
homesteaders. Also view the Homestead Village.
Admission is $6.00 adult, Children $1.00.
Admission covers this museum, The Museum of the Upper Missouri
and the tour of Historic Old Fort Benton. Admission
is good for two days.
406-622-5316 or Box 262 Fort Benton, Mt. 59442.
Hours – May 27th through September 30th - 10.00 AM to
5 PM. Allow at least two hours.
More
Information on the Museum of the Northern Great Plains
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HORNADAY BISON
Museum of the Northern Great Plains This is a display of six
bison collected by William T.
Hornaday who was a renowned taxidermist and head zoologist for the
Smithsonian. These buffalo were displayed in the Smithsonian
Institute from 1887 to 1955. Allow approx.1/2 Hr. More
Information on the Hornaday Bison
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MUSEUM OF THE UPPER MISSOURI
Old Fort Park
Display of the early history of Montana, Northwest
United States, and Western Canada from 1840s to 1887. This
includes Chief Joseph’s rifle that he surrendered in 1877. See
the Museum of the Northern Great Plains for fees and hours. Allow approx. 1&1/2 hours
More
Information on the Museum of the Upper Missouri
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OLD
FORT BENTON
Old Fort Park
Take
a tour of the partially restored Historic Old Fort Benton of the
1850’s. The
Blacksmith shop, The Carpenter’s shop, The Trade Store and
Warehouse are open for touring. The block house is the oldest, standing building in Montana
amd the last remaining structure from the fur & robe trade
era. The Old Fort will be open from May 27th through September
30th, with four guided tours offered each day.
Tours can be arranged in advance (depending on availability
of guides) by calling 406-622-5316 or 406-622-3864.
See the Museum of the Northern Great Plains for admission
fees. Allow approx. 45 minutes.
More
Information on Historic Old Fort Benton
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| STEAMBOAT
LEVEE WALK
Walk
the levee along the river and view the area where the Mountain
steamboats unloaded freight. Also read the informational signs
about the swinging bridge, the keel boat, the bloodiest block in
the west and other historical information signs including the
locations of Fort Campbell, Fort LaBarge and I. G. Baker home.
Allow approx. 1&1/2 hours
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| WALKING BRIDGE
Enjoy a walk on the first bridge
to span the Missouri River in Montana.
The view of the Gateway to the Upper Missouri River Breaks
National Monument is magnificent.
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STATUE OF SHEP
On the levee
A tribute to the faithful
shepherd dog that was featured in Ripley’s “Believe It or
Not”. Shep came to
Fort Benton when his sheepherder master died. When his master's casket
was taken to the train depot for shipment back East, Shep
followed and began his 5 and 1/2 year vigil.....waiting for his
master's return. He is buried
on the bluff behind the depot. Sculpted by Bob Scriver
More
Information on Shep
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BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
INTERPRETIVE CENTER
1718 Front Street
Displays of artifacts and items
from the Missouri river area.
Visitors will appreciate the centers 13 minute video.
Charles M. Russell and Karl Bodmer paintings and excerpts from
Lewis & Clarks journals. It also introduces the Upper Missouri
River Breaks National Monument and sights along the protected
corridor, such as the famous White Cliffs area and the Badlands.
Summer hours are 8A.M. to 5P.M. mid May through Mid
September. B.L.M. Interpretive Center 1- 406-622-5185.
B.L.M. office Fort Benton 1-406-622-3839
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LEWIS AND CLARK MEMORIAL
STATUE
On the levee
The State of Montana’s Lewis
and Clark Memorial depicts Lewis, Clark, Sacagawea, and her infant
Pomp. It was designated by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce as
Montana’s best bicentennial project in 1976, and recognized as
one of 35 exceptional projects in the United States.
Sculpted by Bob Scriver.
More
Information on the Lewis & Clark Memorial
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GRAND UNION
1 Grand Union Square.
The Grand Union Hotel gained a new lease
on life following an award winning restoration supervised by the
National Trust for Historic Preservation, the U.S. Parks
Department, and the Montana State Historic Preservation Office
preserving the historical character of Montana's oldest operating
hotel and one of its most famous landmarks. The hotel's
history began in 1882, just 36 years after Fort Benton was founded
and 7 years before Montana became a state, and was built at the
height of Fort Benton's prosperity and the steamboat era on the
Upper Missouri River.
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