The Montana Tapestry: People and Places from 1776 to Today 

Montana Tapestry is a pop-up banner exhibit that introduces eight Montanans who have made significant contributions to the state and the nation since 1776. The exhibit was developed by Montana's 250 Commission with support from Humanities Montana. 

This exhibit will be available for free to display in libraries, museums, and community centers across the state. You will be able to use a reservation system through the Montana Historical Society to reserve your dates. Because there will be several copies of the exhibit, it can be displayed in multiple locations at once.

In partnership with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, single companion panels describing Montana places, people, plants and animals in 1776 will be on display at various state parks including:

  • Montana Wild in Helena 

  • Flathead Lake State Park

  • Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

  • Bannack State Park

  • Travelers’ Rest State Park

  • Chief Plenty Coups State Park

  • First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

  • Makoshika State Park 

  • Pictograph Cave State Park

All 14 panels will be on display during the 250th celebration on June 27 at the Montana Heritage Center. We'll look for other pop-up opportunities throughout the summer.

Exhibit panels include:

  • a Dakota phrase meaning "all my relations" and referencing the concept that everything is connected. This is the theme selected by the Montana250 Commission to guide its work. The panel serves as an introduction to the exhibit.

  • highlighting contributions by immunologist Maurice Hilleman and doctor/collector Caroline McGill

  • introduces historic figures, Pretty Shield and Granville Stuart

  • recognizes veteran and Indigenous leader Gilbert Horn, Sr. and librarian Alma Smith Jacobs

  • focuses on the creative contributions of Ivan Doig and Lily Gladstone

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