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Sheridan, MT

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Nevada City Museum

4.4 (7 reviews)
Closed • 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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Nevada City streets
Milan B.

How the West was Won showed us how the Prescott family made fortunes. Bonanza showed us how family togetherness brought order to a mining camp and that cowboys were environmentalists. Though cut from historical backcloths, neither did much to present unadulterated history. And nothing, of course, is a substitute for the real thing. This isn't quite the real thing either. But it is close enough. Alder Gulch played host to the largest placer gold strike in American history, and the story is quintessential Americana - all attempts to pacify the cry of "gold" from echoing in Helena, Salt Lake City, and all points of the compass failed miserably, spawning the development of a whole string of settlements through Alder Gulch. One of these - Virginia City - remains today much as it always was. The others - including Nevada City -were ripped down and their very streets mined from underneath them. Only one of these towns has returned, and it is "alive" and well. The Montana Heritage Commission, through the generosity of the Bovey family and many others, has amassed a collection of Americana unparalleled west of the Mississippi. Hundreds of thousands of artifacts, dozens of buildings, equipment, and machines, as well as living history demonstrations, tours, train rides, and panning for gold all bring the past to vivid life. And the best part of it is the entire experience is interconnected and seamless. This is the Colonial Williamsburg of the American West - only better. The Commission has set up a tightly integrated experience that truly immerses the visitor in the past. Your experience begins either in Virginia City (at the depot at edge of town, at the bottom of the hill) or Nevada City Music Hall, both of which are connected by a short line railroad. Near the Nevada City Depot one will also find the "River of Gold" gold exhibit and panning experience. Each of the three experiences may be purchased separately, but to fully appreciate it, you really need to do it all, and they sell a pass that let's you do just that. The train ride is a fantastic means of getting your bearings, and the tour guides on the train (Kaylee did an amazing job, intertwining history and geology with witty and ironic humor) will place the entire region into context, while providing a fun way to travel between the two Gulch "cities." The trip winds its way through tailing piles and along beaver ponds, and offers lovely views. At the Nevada City end of the line, the Nevada City Museum represents an approximation of an Alder Gulch town during the 1860s, and contains a large museum building with the world's largest collection of music machines (bring some coins) and several city blocks' worth of historic buildings (some original to the site but most relocated from elsewhere in Montana) - all of them LOADED with historic artifacts and working displays including a smithy, schoolhouses, saloons, hotels... the works. The town looks lived in during the week, and on the weekend it positively comes alive with a true living history program (one that I was personally pulled into... a performance that was so well loved by the locals that I was "shot" at several times). You may just witness a double hanging. And trust me... it's a heart stopper. Several weekends offer a "lantern tour," and it is during this event that the town REALLY seems to settle into its stated time period and is so real that it almost feels like an episode out of the Twilight Zone. So awesome. (Make sure you come on the weekend for the best experience - nearly every building is opened and accessible, and the living history interpreters are incredible.) Just beyond the Nevada City station, the River of Gold provides the most touristy part of the experience. Mining dredges and other working equipment are on display, and for a modest fee (or included in the combo) gold panning lessons are provided. I found quite a few amethyst and garnet crystals, and several gold flakes. They say nuggets do turn up occasionally, but it's definitely more about the experience than the gold when it comes to this part of the trip. Well recommended if you have children... or if you're as easily amused and love rocks as I do. Both the Virginia City and Nevada City ends of the rail line possess lovely gift shops, and the staff is universally friendly, knowledgeable, and excited to welcome guests. The Nevada City Music Hall and Virginia City Short Line Railroad represent the core of the Virginia City experience. This is where the history truly lies, and there is enough here to look at and observe that you will easily be kept busy for an entire day... especially if you plan to explore Virginia City as well. Unlike the Virginia City of the Comstock Lode in Nevada, the Virgina City of Alder Gulch is unchanged, authentic, and beautiful. It is a living museum of a sort that the Smithsonian wishes it could manage. Spectacular. A must-see American destination.

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World Museum of Mining - Blacksmith shop

World Museum of Mining

4.6(54 reviews)
56.4 mi

The World Museum of Mining is a must-do when visiting Butte. The museum itself is interesting and…read morethere was a lot to see and learn about. However, the tour of the Orphan Girl mine in the property was by far the best part of the trip. Our tour guide, Ken, was excellent and the mine itself was fun to see.

We stopped in to Butte on our cross country drive and visited the mining museum after lunch in…read moretown. They offer military and other discounts on their entrance fee The gift shop area includes information on local, current mining operations as well as merch. This is an outdoor museum so dress for the weather. If you want to take the under ground tour be sure you are wearing closed toed shoes. (Crocs not included, I don't know why) They also have above ground tours. Part of the property is set up like a western town. Something that would grow up around a mine. Post office, apothecary, carpenter, blacksmith, etc, etc. All these buildings are set up with window displays but most are not open to the public. You just peer thru the windows. There is a memorial garden to miners. A mine yard with pieces of heavy equipment. The motorized lift, miners locker room, light room, information and equipment used in dry and wet boring, 3D representations of mines and more with information posted on the displays. You can walk up into the mine head if you are so inclined to see how the ore chutes operated. We spent about two hours here without realizing it. Very interesting museum. Staff are very personable, answered questions and suggested reading material for more on the subject. Very good, family friendly stop.

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World Museum of Mining - Good amount of parking in front of entrance

Good amount of parking in front of entrance

World Museum of Mining - Part of the display is set up like a western town of antiquity.

Part of the display is set up like a western town of antiquity.

World Museum of Mining

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Beaverhead County Museum

Beaverhead County Museum

4.5(2 reviews)
33.2 mi

Must stop if your in town to see lots of the local history really interesting artifacts plus you…read morecan walk around the property that has historic buildings on it. It's located downtown with lots of parking and after visiting there are a lot of interesting sites with in walking distance. Lots of restaurants too

Dillon, Montana…read more Montana has the second lowest humans per size in America, maybe third behind Wyoming. Making the assumption that Montana is similar in various aspects is incorrect. We can generalize such as peoples living in the Plains (East), High Desert (South), Mountains (North), etc. This museum provides the lifestyles of First Nationals (aka Native Americans/Indians) and pioneers from yesteryears around the Beaverhead County region. The museum showcases rail, mining, lifestyle, nature, businesses, local figures, etc. Good for kids with plenty space to run amock and you don't have to worry about crazy people running the kids or animals over. I did see what appears to be younger vagrants, but unsure if that hobo look is a cultural fashion statement for millenials in the region. Access/Roads: A Dillion is a civilized town w/ pavement. Super slow speed limit. Avg is 25 mph w/ visible constables (cops) everywhere. Parking: A Plenty street parking. Small town so it's not busy. Distance: F It's Montana. Pretty much F all over. Stuff is scattered. Located off I-15 in the puny town called Dillon. Butte, MT - 65 Miles North. Idaho Falls, ID - 142 Miles South Los Angeles, CA - Appx 1,000 Miles Away. Costs: Unknown Museum was closed when I visited. However, the majority is outdoors and I just walked around. Nearby Attractions: Nothing. I mean... There are some, but, it's a niche attraction for historians. Will add to my blog if I ever get around to it. Nature-wise - This is Montana~! Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and related activities are relatively close by. Butte & Deer Lodge has several museums and historical things. Small, wooden based towns are everywhere like Anaconda or Wisdom. Conclusion: Travel safely. Low speed limit in Dillon. Plenty gas, food, restaurants, micro-breweries, etc. Dillon is home to the University of Western Montana so there is stuff. @cigarcpa https://www.facebook.com/SiRTurbo/media_set?set=a.10157272657352324&type=3 for pics www.cleeshyun.com

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Beaverhead County Museum
Beaverhead County Museum
Beaverhead County Museum

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Dumas Brothel - One of the upstairs rooms

Dumas Brothel

4.3(4 reviews)
55.8 mi

6 of us took a private tour during the day as 2 of the ladies in our group were afraid to go at…read morenight. The place is kinda creepy but thats the point. My sister got unknown scratches on her back. A few of us felt like we were being watched. My brothers hearing aids failed the whole tour but came on as we left the building. To appreciate this you need to know and understand the old west. I'd like to see more of the old houses in the town saved.

Disappointed!! Well, it does have a great story behind them but it stops there. At $15.00 per…read moreperson, pretty pricey. While I agree that it's always best to keep an old historical building in its original condition, preservation. Is important. But, the new owners took control In 2018, and they still have so many rooms still being used for storage. Very disorganized. It smells horrible and the damp floors were soft and in some places, it felt like the floorboards were going to collapse from under me. I'm actually surprised, the City hasn't condemned it yet. Interestingly, it was the longest running Brothel in the US.... 1890-1982 !! The downstairs area, as told, has been kept original, including booze bottles, curtains & cigarette butts. Rugs, wet walls & I'm sure the bedding is what is smelling. But.....by being on the Historical Records, it should not allow the extensive condition of this place. I don't know.., but, there has to be Reconstruction Grants available. I wouldn't pay that price for this condition of a museum. Very sad.

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Dumas Brothel - This photo is copyrighted can not be used in any publications! I took this photo and got lucky when this beautiful classic car rolled by!

This photo is copyrighted can not be used in any publications! I took this photo and got lucky when this beautiful classic car rolled by!

Dumas Brothel
Dumas Brothel - One of the rooms containing clothing and other artifacts

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One of the rooms containing clothing and other artifacts

Little Bear School House Museum

Little Bear School House Museum

4.3(3 reviews)
42.2 mi

The little house has a nice story on how it became to be here and made into a museum. We came…read morethrough town mid Oct. when it was closed however the wonderful ladies that volunteer here happen to be putting up lights on buildings and fencing on the property for the holidays before the snow got too deep. So while we were taking pictures and peeking in the windows a sweet lady came over and opened the door and let us in and told us about the school house and a little history. It was a wonderful group of women who made this happen and if you happen to be driving into the area make sure you stop in and say hi. I believe their season in Memorial to Labor Day.

Set off on the side of Gallatin Road, lost next to a nearby business, Little Bear School House…read moreMuseum caught my eye only because of the mismatch between the nearby modern business and the small, little-house-on-the-prairie building with the big sign. Although the museum was listed as open according to the hours posted, there was no one there. I was limited to peering in the windows to see a traditional one-room school house with a few desks and various era-specific items on the walls and shelves. There was also an information desk with what looked like flyers on the history of the school house. I was able to spend time freely walking on the property, looking at the rusted farm implements and the nearby fields from the well-manicured grass and the small gazebo located a short walk away from the school house. After catching a glimpse of what was probably the outhouse located several yards from the school building, I decided I would refrain from complaining about how tough I had it walking two blocks to school in the snow. Perspective. This museum gives perspective.

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Little Bear School House Museum
Little Bear School House Museum
Little Bear School House Museum

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Nevada City Museum - museums - Updated November 2026

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