"Charlie Russell painted more than one famous canvas. We live in them."
Area Museums
Judith Basin County Museum - Stanford3rd Street South, Stanford * 406-566-2281
Located south of the Judith Basin County Courthouse
The museum is open June thru August,
9 a.m. - Noon & 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The Judith Basin County Museum which was opened in 1967, is located on the south side of the County Court House. The museum depicts the rich history of the county which saw the transition from open range cattle ranching to sheepherding and the coming of the homesteaders. There were also the colorful cowboys of the Judith Basin Pool, which included Charlie Russell, the cowboy artist. The museum also depicts the stagecoach era and something of the train era.
Through historical pictures, the clothing of early homesteaders, much of which was handmade, history books and many other interesting artifacts, Judith Basin County will come alive to visitors; they may well find some unexpected items as well. Among other things in our collection we have just over 2,000 sets of salt and pepper shakers and a collection of 5,000 buttons; there is also an Indian artifacts display. The visitor will find a good deal of information and a number of pictures detailing the saga of the White Wolf which is now housed in the Basin Trading Post.
Charles M. Russell, the well-known Western artist, made his home in the county and accurately chronicled much of the early history of the west including many places in his own county. There is a display of prints of some of his paintings.
Visitors who have been to the museum have often commented on how interesting the museum is. There is no charge, just a free will donation. We have some gifts and post cards for sale at our display counter. Come visit us when in our area!
Hobson Museum - HobsonMain Street * Hobson
Final touches for the building were finished by the Hobson Centennial Celebration which was held on July 3 - 6, 2008.
The Hobson Museum will utilizes current technologies and capabilities to preserve the Judith Basin's proud past for future generations.
Prairie Past Museum - StanfordLocated on Highway 87 * 406-566-2428
This museum was created as the result of the Centennial Celebration in 1989 as a collection point of old agricultural machinery. Many of this machinery is still in working condition today. Feel free to stop in anytime.
Open year round.
Utica Museum - UticaUtica * 406-423-5208
Open during the summer on weekends from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The Utica Museum is a collection of artifacts from the Homestead Era, such as dishes, clothes, furniture, tools, and leather goods. We have published two books on the history of Utica and the people who lived in the area. We have pictures of local homesteaders and articles about them in our collections.
Directions: From Hobson take Montana Highway 239 southwest and take 541 to Utica. The museum is on the left at the end of Main Street.
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