Montana Historical Society Library and Archives Reopens in Helena March 17

Helena filmmaker Kim Hogberg had been waiting years. The moment the Montana Historical Society announced research appointments were available for the Larry Len and LeAnne Peterson Library and Archives, she moved fast.

"I was one of the first in line to get scheduled for when it opened," Hogberg said.

The library and archives reopened to the public on March 17, ending a closure that stretched across the entire construction period of the new Montana Heritage Center. The Heritage Center itself opened December 3, 2025, but Library and Archives staff spent the months that followed doing dozens of hours of unpacking, cleaning, and organizing collections that had been wrapped in plastic and protected throughout the build.

Hogberg, who has spent the past decade using the archives to research historical documentaries and is currently working on a series about historic women in Montana, said the wait was difficult. "It was a little tough knowing that they were gonna be closing and closing for so long," she said, "but it's exciting to know that they're gonna be open, and I can't wait to access them and just see the whole new facility."

The new space sits on the first floor of the Montana Heritage Center at 225 North Roberts, adjacent to the Charles M. Russell Gallery, a move from its previous home on the building's second floor. The upgraded facility includes larger research areas, a conference room, and updated research technology including new microfilm readers and an overhead book scanner. For researchers with low vision, the library added the OrCam3 assisted reading device, which was demonstrated at a free public open house held March 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The collection itself spans more than a million items, among them past maps of national forests, original photographs from the 1800s, and the physical constitution of the state of Montana. The Montana Historical Society has been preserving that material since its founding in 1865.

"We are so excited to finally welcome researchers and the public back into the Library and Archives," said Roberta Gebhardt, program manager for the Library and Archives. "Our team has worked hard to get the collections ready, and we can't wait to share this beautiful new space with the people of Montana."

Researchers visiting the library can also access the Heritage Center's café, gift shop, and three museum galleries during their appointments. Reservations are required and can be booked at mths.mt.gov/research, by emailing mthslibrary@mt.gov, or by calling 406-444-2681. The Montana Historical Society's main line is 406-444-2694.

A multi-day celebration at the Heritage Center is scheduled for June 25 through 28, 2026.