Gallatin History Museum

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Gallatin History Museum Come discover history in the old county jail! Check website for seasonal hours. gallatinhistorymuseum.org

The Gallatin Historical Society, founded in 1977, moved into two rooms in the county jail building in 1979. Built in 1911, the jail was already considered an historic structure. When prisoners were moved to new quarters in January 1982, the county commissioners granted the Society use of the entire building for the Pioneer Museum. In 2014 the membership voted in favor of changing the name to Gallatin History Museum to better reflect the collection and better serve the community. Since 1982, the Gallatin History Museum has offered a variety of changing exhibits portraying earlier days in the Gallatin Valley. GHM is also active with an ambitious outreach program, sending exhibits of photographs and artifacts to fairs, banks, schools, and conferences. Museum admission costs $7.50 for adults, seniors (62+), students (with valid i.d), and military $5.00, children (under 17) free. Gallatin Historical Society members receive free unlimited admission. An extensive research library and photographic archive are available, free of charge, to visitors during regular museum hours. Many of our historical photographs are available for purchase, along with the wonderful items in the museum bookstore.

Happy Halloween!This photo shows five excited students from the Pass Creek School dressed up for Halloween.Photo date un...
10/31/2026

Happy Halloween!

This photo shows five excited students from the Pass Creek School dressed up for Halloween.

Photo date unknown.

What are you dressing up as for Halloween?

Did you know that our museum is funded entirely through admissions, memberships, and donations? You can support our work by donating at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/take-action or consider a membership at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/membership.

Hyalite Canyon (Middle Creek Area). Photo taken by B.H. Alexander. Photo date unknown.Do you like to visit Hyalite? What...
10/30/2026

Hyalite Canyon (Middle Creek Area). Photo taken by B.H. Alexander. Photo date unknown.

Do you like to visit Hyalite? What's your favorite thing to do there?

Did you know that our museum is funded entirely through admissions, memberships, and donations? You can support our work by donating at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/take-action or consider a membership at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/membership.

Throwback ThursdayThe Joyce Theater was located in downtown Bozeman, right on Main Street. It first opened on March 18th...
10/29/2026

Throwback Thursday

The Joyce Theater was located in downtown Bozeman, right on Main Street. It first opened on March 18th 1938, and officially closed its doors sometime in 1956-57. Though it's difficult to read in the picture, one of the flyers in the window states, "Adult admission 25 cents, Children's admission 10 cents."

Photo date unknown.

Fun fact: Written on the back of the photo is the information that follows,
"Named for Russell's daughter, Joyce. He was the owner of the theater."

Did you know that our museum is funded entirely through admissions, memberships, and donations? You can support our work by donating at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/take-action or consider a membership at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/membership.

"Nature's Wonderland: Montana Canyon"A colored view of Sixteen Mile Creek, in Montana Canyon. This photo was part of a p...
10/28/2026

"Nature's Wonderland: Montana Canyon"

A colored view of Sixteen Mile Creek, in Montana Canyon. This photo was part of a promotional booklet used to advertise the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul Railway. If you look closely, you can see two men fishing, as well as the electrical poles used to power the railways. This photo was officially posted in the promotional booklet in 1914.

Please comment on this post if you'd like to see similar posts in the future!

Did you know that our museum is funded entirely through admissions, memberships, and donations? You can support our work by donating at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/take-action or consider a membership at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/membership.

Picture of an unknown man camping beside the Gallatin River. A metal ice chest sits on the ground by the tent; an empty ...
10/27/2026

Picture of an unknown man camping beside the Gallatin River. A metal ice chest sits on the ground by the tent; an empty sack for oranges is draped over one of the tent ties. The scene appears to be taken in the fall, as freshly fallen leaves are scattered in the foreground.

Photograph date unknown.

Did you know that our museum is funded entirely through admissions, memberships, and donations? You can support our work by donating at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/take-action or consider a membership at gallatinhistorymuseum.org/membership.

Take a deeper look into tales of murder, betrayal, local crime, and the darker sides of what made the West “wild” while ...
10/22/2026

Take a deeper look into tales of murder, betrayal, local crime, and the darker sides of what made the West “wild” while touring the historic Gallatin County Jail. Tours will be offered October 23, 24, 29, and 30 at 7 and 8:15 P.M. and on October 31 at 7 P.M. Open to ages 16+, no exceptions. Cost is $20. Please call (406)522-8122 or visit gallatinhistorymuseum.org/haunted-history-tours for more information or to reserve your spot.

Today we're looking at a portrait photo of Sheriff James Smith, Gallatin County Sheriff from 1923 to 1927. While in offi...
10/17/2026

Today we're looking at a portrait photo of Sheriff James Smith, Gallatin County Sheriff from 1923 to 1927. While in office, Smith oversaw the Gallatin County Jail's only ex*****on-- the hanging of Seth Orrin Danner on July 18, 1924.

If you'd like to learn more about the ex*****on, the case leading up to it, and see some not-on-display artifacts associated with the case, make sure to sign up for GHM's Haunted History Tours! Spots are filling up quick, grab your reservation while you can!

Tours will be offered October 23, 24, 29, and 30 at 7 and 8:15 P.M. and on October 31 at 7 P.M. Open to ages 16+, no exceptions. Cost is $20. Please call (406)522-8122 or visit gallatinhistorymuseum.org/haunted-history-tours for more information or to reserve your spot.

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Would you enjoy living this close to the jail? Today we're featuring a Postcard of a brick residence and the Gallatin Co...
10/09/2026

Would you enjoy living this close to the jail? Today we're featuring a Postcard of a brick residence and the Gallatin County Jail (now GHM) right next door at 319 and 317 W. Main in Bozeman.

Interested in learning more? Take a deeper look into tales of murder, betrayal, local crime, and the darker sides of what made the West “wild” while touring the historic Gallatin County Jail. Tours will be offered October 23, 24, 29, and 30 at 7 and 8:15 P.M. and on October 31 at 7 P.M. Open to ages 16+, no exceptions. Cost is $20. Please call (406)522-8122 or visit gallatinhistorymuseum.org/haunted-history-tours for more information or to reserve your spot.

Address

317 W Main Street
Bozeman, MT
59715

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(406) 522-8122

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