Polson-Flathead Historical Museum

Vintage marionnettes of Toussaint Charbonneau, Sacagawea, Pomp, and others

"Polson-Flathead Historical Museum" by nicholas.senn is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Quick Facts

Location:

Polson, MT

MANAGED BY:

Polson-Flathead Historical Museum

Amenities

8 listed

Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Information, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Parking - Auto, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Tactile Exhibit, Trash/Litter Receptacles

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.

Step back in time to the pioneer days of the American West at the Polson-Flathead Historical Museum. Established in 1965 and housed in a historic building of its own, the museum hosts many attractions where visitors can learn how pioneers settled onto the Flathead Indian Reservation when it was opened to settlers in 1910, including many photographic displays and artifacts.  

The Lambert Trading Post, the first building erected in the 1870-1880s in the Polson area, is housed inside the museum. Today, the trading post serves as the museum’s gift shop. The gift shop includes everything from books and shirts to handmade woodwork and locally produced jams and BBQ sauces.  

Also on display in the museum are a number of authentic items from the 1800s, including firearms, a stagecoach, antique fire engines, chuck wagons and buggies, even a vintage automobile from the early 1900s. A pioneer homestead interior is stocked with a number of authentic items that would have been part of everyday life for the region’s settlers.  

Other items of interest include a saddle owned and used by Calamity Jane from her days in a Wild West show, and Rudolph, a bull that was used to pull wagons around the region for settlers, is also part of a permanent display. Authentic pieces of history from the Salish and Kootenai Tribes educate visitors about the local Native Americans. The museum even has a marionette display of Lewis and Clark! 

Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 2-12. Large groups are asked to phone ahead and inquire about special group tours by calling [phone]. Visitors are also encouraged to phone ahead for hours of operation at [phone].