Photos courtsey of Western Heritage Center 

Step into the past and explore the rich, untold stories of the Yellowstone River Valley at the Western Heritage Center’s 2025 exhibitions. From the experiences of people living with disabilities and the artistic expressions of Empowered heARTS to the vibrant traditions of Billings’ Hispanic community and the dark tales of regional crime, these exhibits bring history to life in engaging and thought-provoking ways. 

The Western Heritage Center is a regional museum whose collections, exhibits, and programs tell the stories of life in the Yellowstone River Valley. Located in historic downtown Billings, the building that houses the Western Heritage Center is the former Parmly Billings Memorial Library, a Richardson Romanesque structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

July 2025 Events 

Galleries Open: 

Tuesday – Saturday | 10 AM – 5 PM 

Featured Exhibitions: 

• Equally Different: Uncovering the History of Disability 
• ¡Viva la Fiesta! 
• Empowered heARTS: Work from Artists with Disabilities 
• Sharp: Through the Lens (Exhibition opens July 8) 

High Noon Series (12 PM) 

• July 17: Montana Stories and How They Shape Our Lives 
• With Sally Thompson, Anthropologist 
• July 31: The Life & Family of J.K. Ralston 
• With A’Lisa Scott, Granddaughter of J.K. Ralston 

Hoof-It with a Historian Walking Tours (10 AM) 

Take a walk-through Billings' ONLY residential area on the National Register of Historic Places! 

• July 11: McKinley Elementary School and North Elevation Neighborhood Architecture 
• July 18: Bars, Brothels, and Bok Choy: Exploring Minnesota Avenue 
• July 25: Historic Moss Mansion Neighborhood (Historic Architecture) 

Free Film Screening 

July 26: Crip Camp 

Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the American Disabilities Act 

ArtWalk  

Stop by the Western Heritage Center on August 1st from 5:00-9:00 pm during the ArtWalk and check out the latest exhibits. 

Current Ongoing Exhibits  

Dude Ranch Lobby 

The museum’s lower gallery has been made over to replicate the lobby of a 1930s dude ranch lodge. Rustic western furniture, inspired by the designs of Thomas Molesworth, and a stone fireplace provide the ideal setting to display paintings by James Kenneth Ralston, a regional artist inspired by the great stories of the West, and the landscape paintings of Clyde Aspevig (on loan from First Interstate Bank). 

J.K. Ralston Studio Cabin 

James Kenneth (J.K.) Ralston (1896–1987) was a noted western artist who lived in Billings for many years. In 1946, Ralston and his son built a log cabin to serve as the artist’s studio. In 2005, the cabin was moved to the Western Heritage Center, and its interior was restored to reflect his working environment. Ralston’s oil paintings and sketchbooks include scenes depicting his early years growing up on ranches and riding the range in Montana. The Western Heritage Center merged with the J.K. Ralston Studio and now houses a significant repository of the famed artist’s letters, memorabilia, and artwork. Please ask at the Front Desk for a private tour of the studio cabin. 

Empowered heARTS: Showcasing Work from Artists with Disabilities, 2025 

Explore the emotion and skill of artists living with disabilities in the Yellowstone River Valley. From well-known talents to emerging young artists, experience the variety and color of these wonderful works of art. 

¡Viva la Fiesta! 

Billings has a lively Hispanic community and celebrates decades of a community-driven fiesta, dating back to the 1950s. The Hispanic community grew in Billings during the 1920s–30s from opportunities at the Great Western Sugar Company. Despite economic and racial struggles, families grew, and traditions continued. 

Over 70 years later, the fiesta is still celebrated today. Hispanic and non-Hispanic community members come together to enjoy traditions that have been passed along through generations. Experience colorful stories, objects, and culture in the ¡Viva la Fiesta! exhibition at the Western Heritage Center. 

Through the Lens of Joseph Henry Sharp 

Between 1899–1910, famed Western artist Joseph Henry Sharp spent his fall and winter months on the Crow Reservation in southeastern Montana. Here, he developed thousands of photographs to use as references for his paintings. Sharp used his camera to lay the groundwork for his painterly compositions, actively posing his subjects and himself to capture magnetic portraits and scenes from everyday life. This collection of 25 images highlights his skill behind the lens. 

American Indian Tribal Histories Project 

Many individuals from the Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribes generously gave of their time, memories, and knowledge so that priceless stories could be recorded and retained before being lost. We gratefully thank them for their efforts and give these educational resources in their honor. These interviewees shared stories from their personal and cultural histories in order to preserve this important history, educate the public, and promote understanding. We urge our web users to approach these materials in the same spirit. These resources are provided to students, teachers, researchers, and the general public for educational purposes. 

Stay Updated 

Looking for new exabits? Check out their Facebook page for updates: Western Heritage Center on Facebook 

The Western Heritage Center is located 2822 Montana Avenue, Billings, Montana 59101 and opened, Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm.  

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