Kids' Educational Adventure in Lewistown and Central Montana

Educational Adventures for Kids

Have someone that loves to learn? Let them explore this corner of the world through these hands-on educational adventures!

Central Montana Museum

The area’s history is chronologically portrayed beginning in the 1870’s when the area was largely unsettled and buffalo roamed the open prairies. Our museum features many photos and displays portraying the changes that resulted as many settlers from all walks of life came to this area and filed on homesteads. Also on exhibit are a variety of collections (dolls, hats, wedding dresses, fire arms, forts, fossils, historic replicas and dioramas, Native American art and artifacts, medical equipment and photos from St. Joseph’s Hospital, military, photos, musical instruments, and many others) and displays with interpretation featuring some of the area’s most notorious characters.

Winifred Museum

The Winifred Museum is about 40 miles north of Lewistown and features clothing, household goods, newspapers, furniture, and nearly anything you could imagine from the homestead era. There are antique guns and tools, old cigarette cartons, outdated maps, saddles, and soldiers’ uniforms. Other notable collections include over 400 salt and pepper shakers that once belonged to the “town grandma" and what is claimed to be the largest collection of Tonka toys in the world. A dinosaur fossil name “Judith” is also proudly displayed in the Winifred Museum. This is a replica of the skull found just north of town in the Judith River formation. Judith was the first of her species to be discovered anywhere and was excavated right here in Central Montana. Surrounding Judith is a collection of smaller fossils, which may not be as eye-catching as the giant horned skull, but are still interesting to look at if you dig ancient history.

Bear Gulch Pictographs

Lewistown Art Center

The Lewistown Art Center promotes and provides engaged access to the arts, arts education, and cultural experiences in Central Montana. This includes Hands on Art (a 3-day-a-week after-school program), Youth Programming in the Summer, Adult Social Nights, and cultural events like monthly gallery receptions (First Friday of the month!), Shakespeare in the Park, WinterSongs, and so much more!

Judith Gap Wind Farm

Wheatland County has learned how to put the wind to work thanks to Invenergy Services of Chicago. The Judith Gap Wind Energy Center was built in 2005 between Harlowton and Judith Gap. Ninety towers rise 262 feet above the prairie, supporting General Electric turbines which are powered by three 126-foot blades. Each turbine is capable of producing 1,500 kilowatts of power. Expected annual output is 450,000,000 KW hours. All power is sold to Northwestern Energy under long-term contract. There are plans for visitor kiosks, to be located at the Wind Farm entrance and at what is to be called Blade Park in Judith Gap.

WWII Satellite Airfield

The Lewistown Satellite Airfield was constructed in Lewistown, Montana, during World War II as one of four training facilities for B-17 Flying Fortress crew members and included a storage site for the top secret Norden Bombsight. The Norden Bombsight, a synchronous stabilized bomb-aiming device, was considered fundamental in America's precision bombing doctrine. The extant bombsight storage shelter which housed the bombsight is one of a few known buildings of this type remaining in the United States. With construction complete by 1942, Lewistown was built as a satellite field for Great Falls Air Base. Squadrons were trained in the navigation of the B-17 in addition to receiving gunnery and bombing practice. Once their training was complete, the men were sent to the European front. The airfield was in operation during a 12-month period between 1942 and 1943 and thereafter deactivated.

Symmes Park

Symmes Park has a tennis court, skate park, playground equipment, picnic tables, a baseball diamond, and horseshoes. The Park is also home to the Veterans Memorial Walk, featuring a Minuteman Missile, a Howitzer, and several other items. The Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce and the Central Montana Museum are on the edge of the park.

Veterans' Memorial Park

The Veterans Memorial Park is dedicated to the service and memory of all veterans past, present, and future. Their patriotism, their sacrifices, and their heroism cannot and will not be forgotten. "Freedom is not free."

Stop 1: Take in a local museum

Central Montana has two fabulous museums: the Central Montana Museum located in Lewistown and the Winifred Museum out in Winifred. If your kiddo enjoys old pictures, books, fossils, memorabilia, and locally made products, take them to the Central Montana Museum. This museum is also located next to an actual Minuteman Missile and a Howitzer in Symmes Park. For antique guns and tools, old cigarette cartons, outdated maps, saddles, soldiers’ uniforms, over 400 salt and pepper shakers, what is claimed to be the largest collection of Tonka toys in the world, and a dinosaur fossil named “Judith," head over to the Winifred Museum.

Both museums are fairly active during the summer months but can be visited in the off-season if you call ahead of time.

Winifred Museum | (406) 462-5425
Central Montana Museum | Shirley Barrick (406) 535-9289

Stop 2: Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the Bear Gulch Pictographs

Bear Gulch is a well-preserved Plains Indian rock art site that displays more than 4,000 pictographs and petroglyphs that date back as early as 1000 CE. The drawings depict different scenes from everyday life, including warriors with shields, birthing rituals, and spirit animals. The tour can be tailored to include a hands-on activity for the kiddos. The roughly 2-hour long tours are hosted by the family that owns the property and are available Wednesday-Sunday throughout the summer months. Although the hike is simple and slow, hats, sunscreen, and hydration are recommended as there is little shade on the tour.

Stop 3: Do some art at the Lewistown Art Center

The Lewistown Art Center (LAC) promotes and provides engaged access to the arts, arts education, and cultural experiences in Central Montana. This includes Hands on Art (a 3-day-a-week after-school program), Youth Programming in the Summer, Adult Social Nights, and cultural events like monthly gallery receptions (First Friday of the month!), Shakespeare in the Park, WinterSongs, and so much more! The Art Center is a hub of activity Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is always free for monthly gallery shows featuring a wide range of Montana and intermountain artists. The Gift Shop, located inside the Art Center features art and hand-crafted giftware from local and regional Montana artists consigning ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, paintings, prints, photography, books, CDs and much more.

Call and see if they have any classes going on while you're in town: (406) 535-8278

Stop 4: Have a picnic out at the Judith Gap Wind Farm

The Judith Gap Wind Energy Center was built in 2005 between Harlowton and Judith Gap. Ninety towers rise 262 feet above the prairie, supporting General Electric turbines which are powered by three 126-foot blades. Each turbine is capable of producing 1,500 kilowatts of power. Expected annual output is 450,000,000 KW hours. All power is sold to Northwestern Energy under long-term contract. There are plans for visitor kiosks to be located at the Wind Farm entrance and at what is to be called Blade Park in Judith Gap.

Stop 5: Check out some wartime memorabilia

Lewistown is home to the Lewistown Satellite Airfield, one of just four training facilities for B-17 Flying Fortress crew members from the 1940s. This site also included a storage site for the top secret Norden Bombsight. The Norden Bombsight, a synchronous stabilized bomb-aiming device, was considered fundamental in America's precision bombing doctrine. The extant bombsight storage shelter which housed the bombsight is one of a few known buildings of this type remaining in the United States. Walk around the airfield at your leisure and pick up a Tour of Historic Lewistown brochure for more information on the 17 different sites.

Symmes Park, also located in Lewistown, is home to the Veterans Memorial Walk, featuring a Minuteman Missile, a Howitzer, and several other items. Down the road and across the street from Central Feed Grilling Co. is the Veterans' Memorial Park, which features statues of notable wartime heroes and flags.

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