HELENA — Lewis and Clark County is getting a museum dedicated to its history.

It opens next week, but MTN visited 618 Helena Avenue for a sneak peek.

Allie Kaiser MTN News

“We are the largest city in Montana that does not have a museum that records and exhibits the history of the community. We have a lot of history for the state, but nothing specific about Helena itself, and that is where we come in,” John said. Board member and volunteer for the Barrows, Lewis and Clark County Historical Society.

The Lewis and Clark County Historical Society Museum details the history of the county’s people and places, such as Helena, Helena Valley, Marysville and Unionville.

Allie Kaiser MTN News

Exhibits include the Montana Telephone Pioneers, the Northern Pacific Railroad and Helena’s early schools.

It will also sell books and has a research library that includes the nation’s second-largest collection of artifacts and materials related to trolleys and electric railroads, with more than 450,000 items.

Allie Kaiser MTN News

Barrow said: “History binds us to community, it binds us to our heritage, it binds us to our families.

The Lewis and Clark Historical Society has had exhibit locations before.

Allie Kaiser MTN News

However, they can now rent part of the Steamboat Block after inheriting and selling the property left by one of their members.

The Lewis and Clark County Historical Society is looking for volunteers to help run the museum.

Allie Kaiser MTN News

Volunteers must be members and willing to volunteer their time.

The museum opens its doors to the public during the Downtown Helena Fall Art Walk on November 8 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Allie Kaiser MTN News

There is no fee, but people can donate as much as they want to the organization.

After the art walk, the Lewis and Clark County Historical Society plans to open the museum on Saturday.