Exhibits on area history and wildlife.
Open summer only (June-August).
Admission by donation.

For more information, visit the
Heritage Museum web site:
www.libbyheritagemuseum.org

Printable Museum Flyer (1116K PDF)

The Heritage Museum, located on Highway 2 one half mile south of Libby, has displays on local area history and wildlife exhibits. The Museum is a 12-sided log structure, 130 feet in diameter, completed and manned entirely through volunteer labor.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shay Steam Locomotive
• 1946 Buffalo Fire Truck
• Swamp Creek Community Hall
• Libby Miner Newspaper
• Kootenai Indians
• Early Explorers & Fur Trappers
• Forest Service Exhibit
• Wildlife
• Mining and Logging History
• Early Libby Settlement History
• Gift Shop

A Shay steam locomotive that was used by the J. Neils Lumber Company at the turn of the century stands in front of the building. 

Inside exhibits include historical information about the Kootenai Indians, early trappers, lumbermen, women, and miners who came to the area. 

Many unique wildlife exhibits are on display including a silver-tipped grizzly bear, bald eagles, deer, and other animals that can be found in the area. 

Also inside are rooms furnished with turn-of-the-century furniture and clothing from the 1800-1900 era. There is an art gallery, exhibits by the Forest Service, mining interests, the lumber industries, changing displays, artifacts and paintings in the main building. Books of area history written by local residents can be purchased at the main desk of the Museum (no credit cards).

Many other buildings and exhibits are located on the grounds outside of the Museum, including an 1800s log cabin, a miner's cabin furnished by the Libby Women's Club, an old forestry cookhouse, an equipment shed for old wagons, milling & lumbering machinery, and pieces of mining equipment. Located outside on the grounds is a replica of the Snowshoe mine tunnel, which is one of the earlier yielding mines in the area. This historic gold, silver and lead mine is located on the eastern side of what is now the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area and operated until 1964.

Special tours can be arranged by appointment.  

How It Began
In 1973, a small group of enthusiastic citizens met and soon became Museum, Inc. a non-profit corporation. The main purpose of the museum 'shall be the recovery of and preservation of historical culture of the Lincoln County area...', but the immediate need was for a place to house the historical collection of the late Roy Porter.

On June 3, 1978, the Heritage Museum, a 12-sided log structure, 130' in diameter was opened and manned by volunteers. The story of the cooperation of hundreds of people is a thrilling one. From the falling of the first tree on to the hauling of the logs, the peeling, chinking, decking the roof, pouring the cement floor, building exhibits, the support has been wonderful. As one participant observed, "Each one is doing what he can do."

Special grants and assistance from the Montana Bicentennial Commission, a Bicentennial levy from the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, the St. Regis Company, the Montana Arts Council, the U..S. Forest Service, private business, individuals, and numerous money-making projects have helped bring the museum to the present. The continuing success depends on donations and support from both local citizens and visitors.