A Day in Helena

With rain in the forecast, we again decided to postpone going to Yellowstone/Grand Teton this week. Instead, we enjoyed some running and a morning bike ride before the rain arrived...usually around noon. On Tuesday, we returned to Helena to explore some areas we've heard about, the first being Last Chance Gulch Street. Remnants of the early city are located in this area that holds its original name. Streets have been closed to form a pedestrian mall. On weekends, street vendors and musicians position themselves along the several blocks. There is also a trolley car that includes the area as part of a city tour. Things were pretty deserted at 10 AM on a cloudy morning. We enjoyed our exploration. The early wealth of the area is reflected in the architecture of the buildings.




Metal sculptures are carefully placed and become part of the ambiance.
Larry really liked the miners with their sluice box. He was disappointed that the water in a meandering, concrete creek bed had not yet been turned on.


A fly fisherman is very appropriate for this area of the state.


This sculpture is a tribute to newsboys who distributed the papers in the 18 & 1900's.


Old and new are melded together in this capital city.


After enjoying some shopping and an icecream cone, we moved on to the Montana Historical Society. The building is located just across the street from the state's governmental complex.



The museum is home to several, wonderful displays including a gallery of various works by Charles Russell. We could not take pictures in the gallery. However, a large sculpture outside the building is a copy of a smaller work by the artist.


The following piece is not Russell's, but is representative of the "trademark" he placed on all of his work.



The museum currently has a display celebrating the 100th anniversary of Glacier National Park. Of course, we had to take advantage of the "promo" area at the museum entrance.


Larry met a playmate in the gallery of Montana history.
The large gallery holds a wonderful and comprehensive collection of artifacts representing the Native American tribes, Lewis and Clark's exploration, discovery of gold, silver and copper and many other significant events in the history of the region and state.


No flash photography allowed, so some pictures are not the best.



This very dark area represented the vision quests that are still a part of Native American culture. Just a note - the "politically-correct" term is not accepted by the tribes in Montana. They prefer to be called Indians.


There was a nice progression showing settlement from the east represented by wagons, log cabins and also more "modern" home interiors. I included this picture because that HAS to be my little brother's high chair! It is identical...even the colors. I remember he slid right out of it one time and also pinched his fingers between the tray and arm rest. Ah, memories....


I've had food at the 4-B's restaurant ever since my first trip to Montana, but never realized how much it is a part of the state's history.


The legendary White Buffalo has a place of honor on the second floor mezzanine of the museum. The Indians believe that a white buffalo has special medicine (power) and is sacred.


The last area in the museum was called "For the Young At Heart." We enjoyed playing with things in the room until some other, younger kids showed up.
Wishing Happy Trails to you, until we meet again!