About Us

Our mission is to share the history of the people of Lewis and Clark County with the public through internal and external programming, exhibits and educational programs. The Society is also dedicated to the preservation of artifacts and other materials that help share our history. Furthermore, the Society exists to support, assist and promote the furtherance of other groups dedicated to telling appropriate stories of the peoples, communities and history of Lewis and Clark County.

Lewis & Clark County Historical Society (LCCHS) was established in 1989 when an interest in local history was revived during the celebration of Montana’s Statehood Centennial. Founding members included Harriett Meloy (first president), Jean Weeks (first vice-president), Dick Wall (first treasurer), Lynn Moon (first secretary), Dennis McCahon and Kathy Macefield.

Today the Society operates the Lewis & Clark County History Center at 618 Helena Avenue in Helena’s historic Steamboat Block. The Steamboat Block is located at the corner of Helena Avenue and Last Chance Gulch downtown Helena, and is open to the public 10:00am - 3:00pm every Saturday. The History Center contains exhibits of Lewis & Clark County communities, the Dennis McMahon Memorial Gallery, an extensive archive, and a community events center that seats up to 25 people and is available to residents of Lewis & Clark County at no cost.

The Society also offers walking tours of Helena during the summer months and a self-directed audio tour of Helena via an app.

The Society supports local historical groups and efforts in Lewis & Clark County through educational programs, displays, and awards.

The Society works closely with the Western Montana Railroad Historical Association (WMRHA) to celebrate railroad history in western Montana. WMRHA operates the Last Chance Model Railroad Layout also located in the Steamboat Block. The layout is open to the public from 10am until 3pm every Saturday.