Since wildlife watching is the top recreational and tourist attraction in Montana and the Flathead, the Museum at Central School’s is home to the Northwest Montana Historical Society and their latest exhibit. This new display allows wildlife lovers to get a glimpse of more than just the still life of wildlife. Their new Wild Montana exhibit has a naturalists’ flair—the flora, fauna and local wild things are the focus of this exhibit that was constructed thanks to hundreds of volunteer hours. Permanent exhibits include local legend and storyteller Frank Bird Linderman, rare photos of downtown Kalispell and the soon to be opened Flathead Valley History.
If you want a more personal touch to local history, then stop by the Conrad Mansion Museum—one of the nation’s most authentic peeks into the world of turn of the century luxury. All of the furniture, accessories and extensive collections of clothing, art and other household items are original to the house. Montana magnate Charles Conrad settled in Kalispell, where his love of the west meant his own private preserve of buffalo, which would later be the breeding stock for the national bison herd.
After their famous Death by Chocolate Murder Mystery at the beginning of May, tours start up again after a by-appointment only winter hiatus. And the famed gardens start to bloom in June so you can purchase a turn of the century hat in the gift shop and enjoy early fashions underneath the Flathead sunshine. For more information on the Conrad Mansion Museum and tours contact 406-755-2166.
The Flathead doesn’t lack for artistic inspiration, and just down the road from the mansion, the arts are on display at the Hockaday Museum of Art also known as the gateway to Montana’s artistic legacy. Permanent collections feature Charles Russell who often summered and even wintered at his cabin on the banks of Lake MacDonald in Glacier Park. Glacier Park is the backdrop for the history of art and the Great Northern Railway in the museum’s Crown of the Continent collection. David Secrest’s elementally inspired metal sculpture gives artistic depth to the on hand collections.
Kids are introduced to art and native history through the Traveling Medicine Show—where members of the Blackfeet National teach local youngsters the traditional practices of Northern Plains Indians as history and folklore are wound up in each event. Call the museum for more details on the next scheduled show. For more information contact Hockaday Museum of Art at 406-755-5268.
If Americana and eclectic are more your style, take a drive along the shore of Flathead Lake until to reach the waterfront town of Polson, where the Miracle of America Museum features family friendly exhibits that appeal to kids, or the kid in all of us. It’s a place where you can spend the whole day wholly entertained. This little non-profit museum has been growing its collections since 1985, and features a sweeping blend of pop culture and history. The Area 51 exhibit features 3 Roswell type flying saucers—one that kids can climb into, experiment with the instruments and switches and then have their picture taken in the portal window.
For motorcycle buffs, the 1914 four-cylinder Indian on display is sure to please. And this spring means the unveiling of the 1926 classic Cars display—featuring a 1926 Model T Ford Wrecking Truck known as Tow-Mater, along with a 1926 Model T Ford Racer known as Lightning Macqueen. While the exhibits run along mechanical lines—those with an inventive bent will appreciate the object lessons in American ingenuity, including the ‘Build A Better Mousetrap’ exhibit that features the evolution of an invention and a patent. Contact the Miracle of America Museum at 406-883-6804.
For more information about Montana’s Flathead Valley or to receive a FREE Vacation Travel Guide, please contact the Flathead Convention & Visitor Bureau at 1-800-543-3105 or visit www.montanasflatheadvalley.com.
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