Old Trail Museum

We are excited to announce that the Old Trail Museum has been awarded a portion of the Montana Department of Commerce’s Pilot Community Tourism Grant for the construction of a new 1,500-square-foot building for the Rocky Mountain Front Interpretive Center (RMFIC). This grant will fully fund the construction of the RMFIC, greatly enhancing our ability to engage visitors with the unique natural history of the Rocky Mountain Front.

The RMFIC will feature expanded exhibits and educational programming, offering a comprehensive look at the region’s wildlife, ecology, climate, and weather phenomena. The new facility will also incorporate significant audio/visual capabilities, providing dynamic presentations, film screenings, and interactive educational programming. The construction project has been awarded to a local contractor, creating jobs and supporting the local economy. The RMFIC will also serve as a year-round venue for community meetings, workshops, and special events, further cementing its role as a cultural and economic asset to Choteau.

In 2023, the Old Trail Museum established the RMFIC in collaboration with local wildlife biologists, ecologists, meteorologists, geologists, and hunters. This unique cooperation ensures the center’s exhibits are driven by scientific expertise as well as the practical knowledge of those who have lived and worked in the area. The RMFIC’s expert-driven exhibits interpret the region’s diverse ecosystems, including its wildlife, natural histories, and conservation efforts. The center is committed to preserving and sharing the stories of this remarkable environment, with tours and hands-on experiences that connect visitors directly to the land.

Once the new RMFIC building is completed, the OTM School House will be rededicated as Choteau: Yesteryear, a new exhibit space dedicated to the human history of Choteau and the Rocky Mountain Front. When Choteau: Yesteryear is complete, this will allow for the expansion of OTM’s dinosaur collection and Old North Trail exhibit in the main museum. This transformation will allow the museum to more fully tell the story of the region in a well-rounded way, bridging both the natural and human histories that have shaped this remarkable landscape.

This grant will ensure the continued growth of the Old Trail Museum complex, while also enhancing Choteau’s role as a gateway to the Rocky Mountain Front and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. The RMFIC will serve as a hub for both visitors and the local community, providing a space where people can connect, learn, and engage with the rich history and ecology of this special place.

The Montana Department of Commerce’s Press Release can be read here: https://commerce.mt.gov/News/press-releases-and-statements/Commerce-Awards-8.75-Million-to-Seven-Montana-Communities-for-Tourism-Success

The Rocky Mountain Front Interpretive Center is excited to announce the creation of Rocky Mountain Front Geo Tours, an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the geological, glaciological, volcanic and geomorphological histories of the Rocky Mountain Front. Each summer, the RMFIC will explore a different canyon along the Front to highlight the story behind the Front.

In 2024, Sun Canyon will be the venue of the Geo Tours, led by OTM and RMFIC Executive Director Sean Doyle. Sean’s deep experience and knowledge of the mountains of the region will provide unique insight into the rugged and distinctive terrain of the Front.

If interested in registering for one of the two geo tours in 2024, please contact the Old Trail Museum at (406) 407-0474.

The Old Trail Museum’s Annual Wild Game Potluck on March 23rd was a resounding success. The event was a testament to the strength of our community and its continued support of the Old Trail Museum. We want to thank Jim and Barb Bouma for allowing us to have the event at the Rocky Mountain Convention Center at the Stage Stop Inn. The hotel staff did an amazing job of helping OTM board and guests and helped make the event a success.

A huge thanks goes out to all who attended the event and brought delicious dishes for the potluck. We depend on the donated food to host the Wild Game Potluck. Without these donated dishes, none of this event is possible. Happy hunting in the New Year and we all look forward to more tasty game and tame dishes in future years.

Another huge thanks to all of the folks who took part in our 50/50 and raffle contests, as well as our live and silent auctions, both donors and bidders. The money raised by these contests and auctions provides a large portion of our operating budget each and every year. Your support is invaluable, thank you so much.

Thanks to our table sponsors. These businesses and individuals were very generous this year and we appreciate their continued support of our mission. May we work again together in 2025 to make that event a success again! Thanks go out to our OTM board members and their families: Dave and Ardene Zion and their daughter Annie Olson, Clayton and Kathy Ketcham, Dave and Vivi Shea, Steve and Karen Taormina, Gary and Jean Dale, Al and Elaine Wiseman, Polly and Bill Cunningham, Sue Bechtel, as well as Susan Luinstra and Christa Morgan.

A very special thanks also goes out to Julie Ameline, our previous Director and her daughters, Aimee and Sharman. Their support and efforts in assisting Old Trail Museum are highly appreciated. We can’t say enough about how helpful you are! Another very special thanks goes out to the Kesler family for their generosity and Bruce’s auctioneering. Thank you, Bruce, for doing a great job and making it an entertaining event, much appreciated. Thank you to Gene Christensen and Old West Lumber for going above and beyond with their support of the Old Trail Museum. A big thanks to Mari Shore and Meraki Coffee for their support, as well as Jammers BBQ of Great Falls. Your continued support and generosity is very special to us and we cannot thank you enough for it!

Thanks again to everyone who attended or donated for this event. You are the reason the event is a success! We all look forward to seeing you again at the 2025 Wild Game Potluck!