On Tour Journal

Lewistown, MT

In short, we were surprised we spent more time in Lewistown than we had planned…

Our original reasons for stopping in Lewistown included, 1) it was on our path, 2) we needed groceries for the week, and 3) Joe needed DEF for our Mercedes chassis. However, we found so much more!

After grocery shopping, Joe bought DEF at an O’Reilly’s Auto Store right across the street. (Joe says it is the very nicest O’Reilly’s he’s ever encountered.) Since Sue didn’t need to shop in the auto store😉, she went around the corner to check out the Rising Trout Coffee and Cafe. There she met the lovely owner and cafe staff and bought a morning bun and cookies. Next time, we will definitely stop in for lunch.

Next on our agenda was the Central Montana Museum, which is administered by the nonprofit Central Montana Historical Association. Their mission is to serve “as a local steward of Central Montana’s history, preserving and presenting the region’s heritage for residents and visitors”. This was another of the many terrific local municipal museums we have visited on this trip.

Boeing’s Minuteman Missile, Installed in 1968 to commemorate the placement of 50 Minuteman III missiles in the area around Lewistown. Missile sites are located across the Great Plains.

We were impressed with and mesmerized by the many facets of history contained in the exhibits at the Central Montana Museum, beginning with a recreation of a small-scale city street which included the bank, saloon, dentist office and classroom.

The Dentist’s Chair
Replica town display
Saloon and barbershop. Note the 25 cent haircut and shave.
School room. Anyone remember sitting at similar desks?

There was an extensive collection of military equipment including a Norden bombsight and an extensive collection of firearms.

A small sample of Robert Brook’s extensive firearms collection.
WWII Norden Bombsight

There was a replica Red River Cart used by the Métis, early settlers in the area. This immediately reminded us of the statue of the Métis fur trapper we saw in Davidson, SK.

Replica of Red River Cart used by the Métis

Other displays exhibited the region’s first inhabitants, taxidermy displays, a variety of collections including dolls, hats, wedding dresses, quilts, fire arms, fossils, Native American artifacts, old medical equipment, and musical instruments.

Mountain Lion

Bear Taxidermy

Kitchen scene

The museum has not one but two Beckwith Pump Organs

Edison Cylinder Phonograph

The museum is open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily, Memorial weekend to Labor Day weekend. Street parking is amble in Lewistown and we had no issues parking our 23 foot van on the street.

Having spent a long time at the Central Montana Museum, we barely had time to take a quick tour of the American Prairie National Discovery Center. We didn’t do it justice as they were just about to close but what we were able to see impressed us. We had just spent a few very special nights at the Antelope Creek Campground so we were disappointed not to see the American Prairie Museum. We will have to return to Lewistown someday!