A Day in Helena, Montana

We stopped for a couple of days at the Riverfront RV Park in Garrison, about 30 miles west of the state capitol, Helena. Helena is a smaller city with a population of about 28,000 but there is much to do here. We left our home early to spend the entire day taking in the sites in this historic city.

Our first stop was Montana's Museum. This museum has an extensive collection of Charles M. Russell's paintings, sculptures and drawings as well as numerous exhibits and artifacts documenting Montana's history.

Montana's Historical Museum

"Big Medicine", a White Bull Bison,
was born and lived on the National Bison Range
from 1933 until his death in 1959.

Late 19th Century Parlor Display

When the Land Belonged to God
by Charles M. Russell

The Roundup
by Charles M. Russell

The State Capitol building is right across the street from the museum. Guided tours are offered every hour, but we opted to tour it on our own. The Capitol building was built in 1899 out of sandstone and Montana granite and topped with Montana copper.

Montana became the 41st state in 1889.

The colorful Rotunda was decorated in the
French Renaissance style.

The Ten Commandments monument stands
on the front lawn.

We took an afternoon tour of the Original Governor's Mansion. This Victorian mansion was home to nine Montana governors from 1914 to 1959.

Built in 1888 by a prominent citizen of Helena

Last Chance Tour Train
We took the very last city tour of the
season.

Cathedral of St. Helena,
completed in 1914

The remarkable stained glass windows were made
in Munich, Germany.