GREAT FALLS, MT — There is something magical about stepping through the doors of the C.M. Russell Museum. As you begin walking from piece to piece, memories begin to surface. For many who grew up in Great Falls, it feels almost as if your grandmother is standing beside you once again, gently taking your hand and leading you through the galleries, pointing out the paintings and sculptures that first sparked your imagination as a child.
Many of those same pieces still hang on the walls today, waiting to welcome another generation.
That journey through history deepens as you wander across the museum grounds into the historic home where Charles and Nancy Russell built a remarkable life together. Step inside Charlie’s original log studio, and you’ll find his easel, paint supplies, and personal touches preserved with care. It’s easy to imagine Charlie stepping back inside at any moment to finish another masterpiece.
Passing this experience on to the next generation of Cascade County families is a gift worth giving. Becoming a member allows visitors to step back in time, sit where Charlie and Nancy once entertained guests, and experience a place that continues to shape Great Falls’ identity more than a century later.
A Living Window into the West
While the permanent collection holds many of our childhood memories, the museum continues to evolve. New exhibitions rotate every three to six months, giving visitors something fresh to experience throughout the year.
Alongside Charlie Russell’s celebrated artwork, the museum honors the history and culture of the Northern Plains tribes, preserving the stories and traditions of the region’s Indigenous peoples. Historic wagons, artifacts, and exhibits capturing the grit and determination of the pioneer West create a complete picture of Montana’s frontier heritage.
History isn’t simply something to observe—it is something to experience.
Inside the museum’s children’s play area, families can step into the frontier together, giving young visitors the opportunity to imagine what daily life was like for the pioneers who helped shape the American West.
It is truly one of Great Falls’ greatest treasures.
Yet ask many local residents when they last visited, and the answer is often surprising.
“I am constantly blown away by how many times I talk to people in our community and ask if they are a member,” says Sally Carlton, Membership Manager at the museum. “They’ll say, ‘Oh, I haven’t been since my fifth-grade essay contest!’ I always tell them: That cannot be the last time you were here. We are so incredibly blessed to have this institution in our backyard.”
The Race to 100
This year, the museum is giving the community one more reason to walk back through those familiar doors.
October marks the 100-year centennial of Charles M. Russell’s enduring legacy. To celebrate a century of preserving Western art and Montana history, Carlton—who also celebrates her own tenth anniversary with the museum this October—is leading the museum’s first major membership drive in years.
The goal is simple.
100 new members for 100 years.
The Centennial Membership Drive officially begins August 1 and continues through October 13, leading into a community-wide celebration on October 9 and 10.
“Time goes by so fast, and the museum has seen so much growth,” Carlton says. “Because we haven’t done a drive like this in a very long time, we wanted to make it special. It’s about igniting a newfound excitement for our community’s history.”
Membership Has Its Rewards
Joining the museum is about far more than supporting a local institution. Membership opens the door to a full year of art, history, education, and exclusive experiences.
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Membership Options
- Individual Membership: $65 per year with unlimited admission.
- Family/Household Membership: $100 per year with unlimited admission for the household.
Members also receive access to an active calendar of events throughout the year, including Coffee and Conversation gatherings, guided gallery tours, the museum’s Speaker Series, and hands-on art workshops such as Pastels with Steve Oysted.
For local businesses, the Business Circle Membership offers an opportunity to invest in the arts while providing benefits for employees. Business members receive two transferable membership cards for staff, recognition on the museum’s website, and access to the historic campus for company photography sessions and events.
To make the Centennial Membership Drive even more exciting, the museum has partnered with acclaimed local artist Echo Ukrainetz, who has generously donated an original work titled “No Cheating.”
Every brand-new member—and any former member who has not renewed in at least one year—will automatically be entered into a drawing to win the original artwork.
Preserving the Future
Beyond the perks, joining the drive directly supports the careful work of preserving Charlie Russell’s legacy. Membership helps fund the museum’s state-of-the-art climate and humidity controls that protect priceless artwork and artifacts, educational programming for local students, and the ongoing preservation of one of Great Falls’ greatest treasures.
For many of us, the C.M. Russell Museum is woven into our childhood memories. The Centennial Membership Drive is an opportunity to return—not just to admire the past, but to help preserve it for future generations. Whether it’s your first visit in years or your hundredth, you’ll likely leave with the same feeling generations of Great Falls families have experienced: a deeper appreciation for the people, history, and stories that shaped Montana.
How to Join
Membership Drive: August 1–October 13, 2026
Centennial Celebration: October 9–10, 2026
To become a member or learn more about the Centennial Membership Drive, stop by the C.M. Russell Museum and visit with Sally Carlton, Membership Manager. You can also email her at membership@cmrussell.org, call (406) 604-4763, or visit cmrussell.org/membership.
New members—and lapsed members who haven’t renewed in a year or more—will automatically be entered for a chance to win “No Cheating,” an original work of art generously donated by acclaimed local artist Echo Ukrainetz.
