Welcome to the Owen & Gayle Robinson
Research Center
As part of the Cascade County Historical Society, the mission of The History Museum Research Center is to preserve historic documents and original records significant to the heritage of North Central Montana and to provide access to the public.
Visitors are welcome to the Research Center and are required to sign the Research Center guest book. An appointment is required to access any materials or collections.
Resources:
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Ursuline Western Province Records
Over a century of records amassed by Ursuline nuns with a focus on Catholic missions to Native Americans and non-Native schools in Montana and the West.
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Tribune Reporter Files
Articles, photographs, and ephemera representing decades of reporter research on the Northern Plains.
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Oral Histories
Recorded and transcribed interviews and conversations with community members.
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Manuscript Collections
Letters, diaries, and other unpublished materials from individuals, businesses, and organizations. Finding aids are available for most collections.
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City of Great Falls Records
Early civic and business history, resolutions, scrapbooks, and other misc.
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Cascade County Records
Assessment, business licenses, civil and criminal court cases, land property valuation, sheriff, voter registration, other misc.
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Building and Site Research
Survey of original town site of Great Falls, surveys and nominations for historic districts plus renovation information. Some house plans, architectural drawings, blueprints.
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Directories
City and business directories from 1887 to present for Great Falls and some smaller towns in Cascade County.
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Homestead Records
Over 7,000 original land patent holders.
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Library
Local histories for Cascade County communities and surrounding areas. Regional historical fiction and nonfiction.
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Maps
City, county, state, plat maps, blueprints and elevations, mining and power lines. Sanborne Insurance maps.
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Naturalization Records
Declaration of Intention, Petition, and Citizenship papers for the Cascade County residents 1887 to 1966. For a modest fee we can provide you uncertified copies of naturalization records for genealogy research purposes only.
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Newspapers
Bound copies of the Great Falls Tribune (1893-1953), The Great Falls Leader (1888-1961), and Belt Valley Times (1893-1977). Online access available to other newspapers.
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Photographs
Approximately 70,000 photographic images dating from the 1860s to the present. Subject strengths include the Anaconda Mining Company and the WWII era 7th Ferrying Group.
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Vertical Files
Extensive clippings, pamphlets, brochures, and ephemera for businesses, organizations, and prominent people in Great Falls, Cascade County, and North Central Montana. Also files on significant national events and prominent local people.
Visiting the Research Center
The History Museum Research Center maintains 5,500 square feet of closed stack resources. These are accessible to the public through indexes and the help of staff who will bring material to you for use in the Research Center.
Visitors are welcome to view the Research Center & Visible Vault during open hours and are required to sign the Research Center guest book. An appointment is required to access materials. Researchers are encouraged to browse our resources listed online and search our Separate Collection list.
There is no charge for on-site users to conduct research. If you are unable to visit The History Museum Archives, we can conduct limited research for a fee.
The Research Center actively collects historic, researchable materials. To donate material to the Research Center, please contact a staff member for more information.
Service Fees
There is no charge for on-site users to conduct research. If you are unable to visit The History Museum Archives, we can conduct limited research for a fee.
Research by external request is on a pre-pay basis with a $20 minimum charge. This fee includes up to one hour of research time, up to 10 photocopies, and postage. Additional photocopies are $0.25 per page and research is $20 per hour. For in-depth research requests that would demand too much time of our limited staff, we will provide names of local researchers that are available for hire. There is no guarantee that information will be found. Please begin by using our contact form on this page.
Reproduction Services
The History Museum Archives can create photographic or digital reproductions of many items in our collections. A signed order form must accompany each request. Please review the following forms for more information: Application for Permission & Archives Order Form
Research Center Policies
Please become familiar with our policies before visiting the Research Center.
Archival material use is restricted to the Research Center and is non-circulating. These materials require special handling and security.
Patrons will be asked to sign in with photo ID and leave personal belongings in the Research Center’s coat room. Pencils, notepads, and laptops are permitted in the Research Center. Outerwear, bags, folders, pens, and highlighters must be left in the coat room.
Food and beverages are not permitted in the Research Center.
Handling Records
Records may be fragile and must not be marked, folded, written on top of, or leaned upon. Pressing down on materials or bindings is prohibited. Ask for assistance if the item is large or the folding sequence is unclear when unfolding maps or foldouts in books. Appropriate cradle or other supports for all bound items will be made available if necessary. Unbound materials must be kept flat on the table.
Do not remove any fasteners. Do not remove items from sleeves, mats, etc.
Please preserve any existing arrangement of materials. If they appear out of order, call this to the attention of staff.
Photography
Researchers may photograph collection materials for personal use. The archives reserve the right to restrict or prohibit photography when it may physically damage materials; disrupt other readers; violate donor restrictions; or if items have been previously digitized. Please refer to the Application for Permission & Archives Order Form for commercial or other non-personal use of materials.
Handheld cameras and phones are permitted. Flash, lights, and tripods are prohibited. Scanners are prohibited.
No photographs of staff, volunteers, or other researchers may be taken.
Standing on tables or chairs is not permitted. Rearrangement of chairs, tables or lamps is not permitted. Always use materials on top of the table, no materials may be placed on the floor.
