School Tour Onsite Programs

Missoula History Exhibit Tour – indoors & outdoors

Learn about the founders and settlers of early Missoula. Discover why Missoulians wanted Fort Missoula to be built. Find out who built Fort Missoula and what groups of people lived here. In response to local and federal needs, Fort Missoula went through 5 building periods and many different uses between its 1877 establishment and 1947 decommissioning. Grades 3-12. Group size 1 class for 45 minutes.

Fort Missoula Grounds Tour – outdoors

Put on your sneakers and sample a taste of local history with a guided walking tour of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula's 13 historic buildings, 7 with exhibits. A good tour choice for first time visitors with energy and an abundance of interests. Request grounds brochure maps and worksheet for classroom preparation. Grades 3-12. Group size:1 classroom for 45 minutes.

Fire Lookout Tour – outdoors

Climb from Miller Creek Guard Cabin up to 1934 Sliderock Lookout. Learn the daily life of trained Forest Service lookouts who lived alone in the small building atop the mountain each season and watched for fires. Learn how to sight fires with the alidade and communicate the navigational coordinates. See tools used for nearly the past 100 years of firefighting including the Pulaski and shovel. Grades 3-12. Groups larger than 15 (max.30) will be split into 2 rotations for 45 minutes.

Logging Railroad Tour -outdoors

Step inside the cab of Big Blackfoot Railway Willamette #7 Shay-type logging locomotive for a unique tour. Discover the daily duties of its engineer and the basic aspects of controlling the gear-driven locomotive. Learn the main parts of this 1923 locomotive, one of 30 built worldwide. Identify how energy is converted from the burning of fuel to the mechanical transfer of energy which moved the 150,000 pound locomotive. Grades 4-8. Group size 1 class for 45 minutes. Limited availability.

WW II Alien Detention Center Barracks Tour - indoors

Tour the internment camp barracks where over 2,000 Italians, Japanese-Americans, and Germans were detained from 1941-1944.  Hear about their experiences and see photographs taken by U.S. Border Patrol officers.  Hear interviews of former Fort Missoula Italian interns in the 45 minute documentary “Bella Vista”.

Another option is to focus on the history of discrimination in America.  After a brief introduction to discrimination in Missoula history, students reflect on what life was like for the Italian, Japanese, and German detainees, as well as the American government who made decisions and Missoula citizens reacting to these new folks at the Fort.  The question is asked, “Has and can this happen again?”
Grades 6-12 Group size - 1 class  45 - 90 minutes, depending on program choice

“Scavenger Hunts”

(All 45 - 60 minutes) Independent or docent-led.
Missoula History
“I Spy” in Picnic Baskets and Suitcases
All-Around-the-Grounds
WW II Alien Detention Center Barracks
Post Cemetery

Spring Program - One Room Schoolhouse Experience  (Take out the word “Favorite”)

For over 20 years this popular program has intrigued 3rd graders.  The 100 year old Grant Creek Schoolhouse was used from 1907 - 1937, then it was moved onto the Fort Missoula grounds in 1976 for renovation and use.  Seated at inkwell desks and recitation benches, children embark on a school day adventure from long ago, complete with the Palmer method of writing, 1930s Weekly Readers, abacus math and stereoscopes.  Call early for your reservation; spaces fill up quickly.  Size - 1 class for 90 minutes.

Fall Program - Apple Days

What is autumn without apples?  Reserve a time to visit us and learn about apple cider presses and of course - apples!  Children are able to try their skills at squishing apples (with the press), then drink the sweet cider from their labors.  While you’re here, tour some of our above exhibits as well.  Call early for your reservation; spaces fill up quickly.  Size - 1 class for 45 minutes.