Photos courtsey of Western Heritage Center 

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.  

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Western Heritage Center provides both long term and changing exhibits with interactive components, as well as educational programs for visitors of all ages. The museum cares for over 40,000 artifacts and an extensive collection that illustrates and documents the history of the Yellowstone River Valley.  

Visit their website for more information on their current events. 

2025 Exhibitions Open Wednesday, March 26. 

The Stories of People Living with Disabilities   

Today, nearly 38 million Americans live with a disability, but their stories remain under-represented in the historical record. The Western Heritage Center has been using in-depth primary research and sixteen oral history interviews to uncover unique and surprising stories from people living with disabilities in Montana. Thanks to Humanities Montana for their support of the oral history program. 

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.  

Community Partners: Blind & Low Vision Consortium, Eagle Mount, Special K Ranch, MSU Disabilities Services, Veterans Navigation Network, and Catherine Dove (Montana Fair Art Barn Coordinator). 

Community Advisory Members: Mitch Bohn, Lindsey Nun, Ashlee Scherr. 

Museum Exhibit and Program Lead: Lauren Hunley, WHC Community Historian. Lauren can be reached at 406-256-6809 x134 or lauren@ywhc.org 

¡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 of 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. 

Community Advisory Members: Tony Contreraz, Dallas Contreraz. 

Museum Exhibit and Program Lead: Cecelia Gavinsky, WHC Collections Manager. Cecelia can be reached at 406-256-6809 x122 or archives@ywhc.org 

Criminal Behavior: Deeds & Misdeeds in the Yellowstone River Valley 

Fans of true crime, local history, sociology, and psychology will really appreciate this new original research exhibit.  The WHC Curatorial Team created and built this innovative deep dive into the regional history of crime, criminals, law enforcement, and corrections.   

Featuring a wide range of stories from various perspectives, the exhibit includes a special display honoring the ten local law enforcement officers killed in the service of Billings/Yellowstone County, a 1981 Polyscribe Polygraph, a variety of weapons and “tools of the trade,” a hands-on activity based on the 1975 Identi-Kit Model II, a diverse set of criminal histories from all over the Yellowstone Region, and a mini jail cell that highlights the art of Vine Broken Rope and offers a photo op for visitors.  The exhibit was curated with generous assistance from the Billings Police Department, the Big Horn County Historical Museum, and the Yellowstone County Museum. 

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