Museum Serves As Key Spot In Wolf Point

The Wolf Point Area Museum celebrated its 50th year in existence during 2022, and a group of volunteers are committed to ensuring that the museum stays open for many years to come.

The board of directors for the museum includes Jim Marmon as president, Dave Arndt as vice president and Ralph Rigsby as treasurer.

Officers are thankful that Sarah Wagner will return as the museum’s curator for a fifth year.

The museum is open to the public from May 15 through Sept. 15.

The largest fundraiser for the museum is its annual pancake breakfast during Stampede weekend.

“People are supportive of it. It’s what they want,” Arndt said of the museum.

They note that the county pays for all of the building’s utilities.

“We couldn’t do this without the county’s help,” Arndt said.

Rigsby added, “They are fully behind us.”

Membership costs for supporters of the museum are $100 for copper members, $200 for silver members and $500 for gold members. The museum is a 501C non-profit organization.

“It’s not only a Wolf Point museum, but it’s for all northeast Montana,” Arndt said.

Marmon noted about the museum, “History is an identity. It’s very important.”

The museum is part of the Harvest Host program where it provides a parking area and electricity for tourists. Nearly every night last summer, there were motorhomes and camper trailers parked next to the museum for a donation.

“It has increased visitors to the museum,” Arndt said. “It’s a win-win situation for everybody.”

With additional funds, different improvements could be accomplished at the museum. Goals include a cement floor and insulation for the second building.

The long-term plan is to feature a recreation of Wolf Point’s old business area in the second building.

The museum features displays of antiques, heirlooms and artifacts of the early-day settlers, along with showcases of Indian culture.

A life-size statue of cowboy artist Charles M. Russell made by a Wolf Point High School art instructor, Archie Graber for a Hall of Fame contest in Washington, D.C., resides in the museum. The statue placed second in the nation.

Items on display include Sherman T. Cogswell’s 1910 National cash register, antique printing presses, pendulum clocks, two 1890 Edison phonographs and cylinder records, the 1913 oak dresser from the first rooming house in Wolf Point, a 1915 Bible, and an excellent arrowhead collection and paintings by local artists Tenny DeWitt, Magnhild Holum and Marlene Toavs.