CRAZYMOUNTAINMUSEUM - crazymountainmuseum

Featured pictures

Welcome to the Crazy Mountain Museum

Since the early 1900's the Sweet Grass Museum Society has worked hard to maintain the history of Sweet Grass County.  Our unique museum is a collection of artifacts that have touched the lives of those who have called Sweet Grass County home. 

In the 1990's the Society found a permanent home with the building of the Crazy Mountain Museum.  The new museum boasts a large research area which includes a master index of over 5,500 surnames of individuals mentioned in a wide variety of documents and pictures within the museum.  The index was completed in 2002 when volunteers studied newspapers that dated all the way back to the 1890's. 

You are invited to stop by and and view our exhibits and learn more about the events that has help to shape Sweet Grass County and Big Timber into the wonderful place it is today.

If you are looking for family history please feel free to contact the Museum for assistance.

Docents

Our docents (volunteers) are a very important part of what makes the Crazy Mountain Museum such a treasure.  Looking for a great way to volunteer, please consider becoming a docent.  You will get a chance to meet people from all over the state, country and world.  You will get a chance to learn about the history of Sweetgrass County and the people who have helped to make this such a wonderful community.  If you have a morning or afternoon free, please give the museum a call to see what dates they have available.

Guestbook

Calendar

Crazy Mountain Museum Contact Information

Address
Crazy Mountain Museum
Cemetery Road
P.O. Box 83
Big Timber, MT  59011
406-932-5126
e-mail:  cmmuseum@mtintouch.net

We are open from Memorial Day weekend until September 30th of each year.  Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday - 10:00 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm.  The museum is also open by appointment.  During that time we are available for your group to hold picnics or luncheons at the museum and enjoy the exhibit.

Staff Members
Rita Esp, Curator
Ellie Hawks, Curator
Patti Meyers, Summer Director
Christy Mosness, Assistant
Jan Counter, Substitute

Board Members

John Esp, Board President
John Ronneber, Vice-Chairman
Joan VanDaveer, Board Treasurer
Patty Myers, Board Secretary
Rita Esp, Board Member 
Steve Harvey Board Member
Sheri Mosness, Board Member
Jean Chapel, Board Member
Don Tetlie, Board Member
Julie Bowden, Board Member
Don Kinsey, Board Member



Featured pictures

Annual Memorial Day Kickoff

While the museum opens in the middle of May, Memorial Day is the official opening of the museum each year.  An excellent lunch is provided which includes Montana beef and Norwegian goodies.  The day is rounded out with a silent auction, entertainment and a wide variety of new exhibits.

Annual Exhibits

Native Plants exhibits:  The museum is surround by a wide variety of native plant, including Purple Clover, Bitterroot and Mockorange.  Other flowerbeds include a variety of flowers and plants that would have been planted by settlers in the area.

Other Outside exhibits: The rural school house and Norwegian Stabbur.

Inside exhibits:  Cobblestone City, Cremer Rodeo, Lewis & Clark travels, Rural schools, Ranch brands, Pioneer room (with pictures and histories of early settlers to Sweet Grass County), Veterans wall and much more.

The Museum Society

New members are always welcome into the Museum Society.  Your membership and the donations we receive from visitors fun our museum.  With your membership you will get a copy of the museum's newsletter "The New Breeze".

Donation Levels: 
General -  $10.00
Donor   -   $25.00
Founder -  $100.00

Membership checks can be made payable to the Sweet Grass Museum Society and mailed to P.O. Box 83, Big Timber, MT  59011.

All donations are welcomed.

Museum Gift Sop

Books/Prints

Books

Monana Sweet Grass County
Monana Sweet Grass County
A look at the history of Sweet Grass County though pictures and documentation.
Tri-County Atlas
Tri-County Atlas

Big Timber Montana
Big Timber Montana
A look at Big Timber's history using resources of the museum and research by the author.
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Map

Take I-90 from either Bozeman or Billings.  Take Exit 376, from Bozeman you will turn right to Cemetery Road.  From Billings you will turn left to Cemetery Road.  At the stop sign for Cemetery Road, turn left.

Big Timber Montana Weather

Big Timber, MT

Indexes to museum resources

History and biography scrapbook index
Scrapbook obiturary index, Vol 3
Scrapbook obiturary index, Vol 2
Scrapbook obiturary index, Vol 1
Biography Indexes: Pioneer Memories, Vol 1 & 2 and Tri-county Atlas

Other Sweet Grass County Web Sites to Check Out

Lewis and Clark in Montana
Big Timber Carnegie Public Library
Sweet Grass County Visitor Guide
Wikipedia - Sweet Grass County, Montana
US Gen Web - Crazy Mountain Museum

How do you think the Crazy Mountains got their Name?

One of the first questions many visitors ask is how did the Crazy Mountains get their name. If you are not sure come and visit the museum and find the answer.

Crazy Mountains

Website Info

Web site is created and maintained by C.Glavin.
Questions or comments maybe directed to
theglavins@yahoo.com
Last updated 6/4/11

New Building Addition

Q & A

How much does it cost to visit the museum?
Visits to the museum are free though we do ask a $3.00 donation to help keep the museum funded.
Can I visit the museum outside the regular museum schedule?
Yes, if you are visiting during an off season time or before the museum's regular hours, please feel free to give us a call at 406-932-5126.
Can groups visit the museum?
Yes, we love to have groups visit our museum.  If you have a group that would like to visit please give us a call (406) 932-5126, so that we can have volunteers on hand to help you with your visit.
I would like to find out information about a relative that lived in Sweet Grass County, what do I need to do?
Visit, e-mail or send us the information you are looking for.  The first 1/2 hour of research is free, but we do charge $30 an hour after that to cover our expenses.  We also charge a 25 cent fee for each photo copy we make. 
Can I volunteer to help at the museum?
Yes, our museum runs on volunteers (or docents as we call them).  If you would like to volunteer time at the museum please stop by or call us.  We would be happy to have you join our museum family.
Can I take pictures and videos at the museum?
Yes and No, there are some exhibits that we allow people to take pictures of and some that we do not.  You will find signs posted through out the museum to help you know what is allowed.  No video taping is allowed within the museum.
Is the museum family friendly?
Yes, we invite families of all sizes and ages to visit the museum.  There is a children's area where small ones can color and play with museum items.  We have a scavenger hunt for young and old with our Cobblestone Village.  You can take a break and enjoy the outside beauty (including an excellent view of the Crazy Mountains) that surrounds the museum at our picnic area.

Related Pages

crazymountainmuseum
Calendar
Annual Exhibits
Membership/Memorials
2012 New Exhibi...

5/22/2013 6:02:01 PM