Playing “I Spy” while Touring the Montana State Capitol in Helena

On a recent visit to Montana (Glacier National Park was our biggest highlight) we stopped in Helena for the day and enjoyed the opportunity to tour the state Capitol Building, one of our favorite activities whenever we visit a state capital.

Montana became the 41st state in 1889, about twenty five years after it became a US territory. Six years later Helena was chosen as the state capital, and construction on the capitol began in 1899, with 14 acres of land donated for the complex. The original Capitol building was finished in 1902. Two sets of renovations were completed: in the 1960s to modernize the building, and then again in the 1990s for historical preservation (and to ironically undo many of the previous “renovations”).  Additions, including the Governor’s Wing and the Secretary of State’s Wing, were completed in 1912. Montana was the first Capitol with electricity, running water, and elevators. 

Montana has 50 state Senators (who serve four year terms) and 100 House of Representative members (who serve two year terms). Both chambers meet for 90 days, starting in January, on odd numbered years, which means that members traditionally have other full time careers. There are no individual offices for senators of house members in the Capitol, but group conference rooms, as well as chambers for whole group meetings. Visitors are welcome to take guided, and self guided tours during designated time throughout the year.

Travel Tips:

Playing “I Spy” while touring the Montana State Capitol:

1. The artificial marble (there is no marble in Montana!) pillars on the main floor- go ahead and knock on them- they’re hollow!
2. The statue of the first senator from Montana, Wilbur Fisk Sanders (who also started the Montana Historical Society), and the first woman in Congress, Jeannette Rankin. Women in Montana could vote in 1914, six years before women nationally received the right to vote. 
3. The state seal etched on the door knobs and in the glass of many of the lights (two of the few places the seal is located in the Capitol)
4. The four trompe l’oeil paintings in the corners of the atrium of a cowboy, explorer, miner, and Native American, representing the culture of Montana. 
5. The centennial bell from 1989.

6. The Driving the Golden Spike painting of Ulysses S. Grant celebrating the completion of the Northern Pacific Railroad in Gold Creek, Montana in 1883.
7. The Meeting the Indians at Ross Hole painting by Charlie Russell above the speaker’s seat in the House Chamber.
8. The 96” x 204” bronze bas relief “We Proceed On” which features the head of the Missouri River, hanging above the Senate Chamber speaker’s desk. 
9. The six original desks in the Senate Chamber, which are denoted with a bronze listing the senators who used the desk. 
10. The inaccurate painting entitled The Louisiana Purchase above the senate chamber that depicts Thomas Jefferson meeting with Napoleon Bonaparte- it never happened!
11. The hat rack under each chair.

Bonus: The 11 flags flying out front of the Capitol building (the American flag, Montana state flag, the POW flag, and the flags of the 8 recognized Native American nations in Montana flags).

Looking for other state Capitol outs? See our features of Capitol buildings in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island (#5), Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Arkansas (#6 ), Colorado, and Wyoming. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and X.