Conference Schedule
Friday, September 4, 2026
Opening Reception
Lewis & Clark County History Center
618 Helena Avenue, Helena, MT
Saturday, September 5, 2026
(Subject to change)
6:00-8:00 PM
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Remarks by John Shontz, Lewis and Clark County Historical Society
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Tour the Lewis and Clark County History Center
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Guided Tours of the Last Chance Model Railroad Layout, built by the
Western Montana Railroad Historical Association (WMRHA)
Montana Heritage Center
225 N. Roberts St., Helena, MT
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:30 PM
6:15 PM
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Mullan Road Guided Field Tour
(North Helena Valley to Sieben Ranch)
9:00 AM
1:00 PM
3:30 PM
Helena Area Historic Resources
(tour on your own schedule):
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The Montana Historical Society's new Montana Heritage Center has no admission charge and is open until 5:00 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
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MHS offers free, regularly scheduled guided tours of the Montana Heritage Center, the Montana Capitol, and the galleries within the Heritage Center. Tour capacity is limited, and early reservations are encouraged.
Sign up for tours directly with the Montana Historical Society at this link.
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Mullan Pass area is accessible via the west side of MacDonald Pass on Highway 12. AWD vehicle recommended.
Contact us for a map with "Subaru Suitable" driving routes and historic points of interest.
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The Gates of the Mountains offers a spectacular two-hour boat tour of one of the most scenic stretches of the Missouri River. For more information and to make Reservations, click here.
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The Last Chance Tour Train is a fun way to tour historic Helena. Tickets are $13 for adults and reservations are recommended. Click here for details
Reception (hors d'oeuvres and beverages served)
Registration desk opens, Atrium
Speakers (schedule TBD), Big Sky Hall
Lunch buffet, Big Sky Hall
Conversation: A Tribute to Paul D. McDermott
Speakers (schedule TBD), Big Sky Hall
Business meeting
Cocktail reception, Atrium
Banquet and Keynote address, Big Sky Hall
Keynote: 'Ships of the Desert' – and of the Mountains: Camels on the Mullan Road and Throughout the Frontier West Dr. Bill Youngs, Eastern Washington University
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Bus departs from Montana Heritage Center parking lot, 225 N. Roberts St.
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Multiple stops, north Helena Valley to Lincoln Road/Chevallier Drive to include Forestvale Cemetery, Gehring Ranch NRHP, and Silver City Cemetery
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(Maps with stops provided to people using personal vehicles)
(estimated arrival) – Picnic Lunch at Sieben Ranch, discussion and educational tour of area
(estimated) – Bus returns to Montana Heritage Center