Western Heritage Center

The Western Heritage Center sits in a Romanesque sandstone building with twin towers in downtown Billings. Inside are roughly 40,000 objects and photographs showing the history of the Yellowstone River Valley region.

The building was constructed in 1901 as a library for the city and later converted to house this museum. It entered the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, marking its importance as a regional landmark.

The center focuses on stories from Crow and Northern Cheyenne communities that shaped life in this region. Visitors encounter objects and records that bring these perspectives into everyday contexts and lived experiences.

The museum is open most weekdays and gives visitors time to explore the exhibits at their own pace. The rooms are well organized and easy to walk through, making visits comfortable for people of all ages.

This museum was the first affiliated with a major national network to open in the Northern Plains area. This distinction brought early recognition to Billings as a center for regional documentation and collection.

Location: Billings

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: Smithsonian Institute

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-17:00

Website: https://ywhc.org

GPS coordinates: 45.78062,-108.50560

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47