Museum Appreciation Day and Open House

Posted on June 18, 2013

FREE Admission to all Museums this Saturday the 22nd June, 2013 to celebrate Museum Appreciation Day.

RA1In addition, we will be having an Open House at Yesterday’s Playthings to formally introduce the newest exhibit “Raggedy Ann and Andy”. We will have an “official” ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m., cake, coffee AND Raggedy Ann and Andy will be there (in the flesh) so the kiddo’s (and adults if you please) can get your picture taken with the “redhead’s”. The owner of this impressive collection, Kathy Jackson, will be present, and door prizes will be handed out, including a free paranormal investigation at the Old Prison on August 16, 2013

Please support YOUR local museum complex and come on down for a free day of history, fun and culture.

OLD MONTANA PRISON, MONTANA AUTO MUSEUM, FRONTIER MONTANA, YESTERDAY’S PLAYTHINGS, POWELL COUNTY MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE ROAD EXHIBITS, COTTONWOOD CITY
Old Montana Prison Museum Complex, 1106 Main Street, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 – (406) 846-3111 – Contact Julia Brewer for all inquiries.
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Summer Season 2013 at the Old Prison Museums

Posted on June 8, 2013

The Old Montana Prison Museum Complex is now fully operational for the 2013 Summer Season. All Museums are open 7 days a week;

Entrance-June-2013  The Old Prison and Montana Auto Museum are open daily from 8 am till 6 pm (Last admission into the prison is at 5:10 pm, into the cars at 5:30pm)

Yesterday’s Playthings and Frontier Montana are open daily from 10 am till 5 pm

Powell County Museum is open daily from 12 noon till 5 pm

Also, the Cottonwood City buildings are open daily from 10 am till 5 pm, as is the Milwaukee Road Caboose.

7399  A miners cabin/office has been added to the buildings in ‘Cottonwood City‘  complimenting the Mining collection inside the adjoining ‘Powell County Museum‘. New items have been added to the collection of Don Cappa in ‘Frontier Montana‘. Several new vehicles have been added to the collection in the ‘Montana Auto Museum‘ including a stunning 1967 Custom Chevy II Nova SS.

7392  Our popular Ice Cream Shop has been remodeled, received a fresh coat of paint and re-named ‘The Ice Cream Station’. It is open daily from 11 am till 6 pm, serving Cold Drinks, Hot Dogs, Waffle Cones and Montana Made Ice Cream.

7564

‘Yesterday’s Playthings‘ has received the biggest makeover. An impressive collection of ‘Raggedy Ann and Andy’ dolls and other associated items is now on display, part of the personal collection of Kathy Jackson. Amounting to over 6,000 items in total, including dolls, toys, games, pictures, books, chairs, clocks, watches, clothes, ornaments, etc., the breadth of Kathy’s collection boggles the mind. A very colorful and welcome addition to our Doll and Toy Museum. An Open House, will be held on Saturday June 22nd 2013, with free admission, cake, coffee and door prizes.

All Museums and Attractions are covered by our $10 Admission Fee, with a $1 reduction for Seniors over 62, Military, AAA, KOA and Good Sam’s Travel Club members. Children aged 10 to 15 are $6, and children 9 and under are Free. Full details on our opening hours and prices can be found on this link

School, Bus and Group Tours are welcome, please call (406) 846-3111 to book and receive discounted prices.

  With various events taking place in the Old Prison Complex, Deer Lodge is the place to visit this Summer. We hope we have the pleasure of your company this season.

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The 2013 Raffle Car is here at the Montana Auto Museum

Posted on April 27, 2013

The 13th Annual “Win A Classic” Raffle car is a 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible

  • Metallic Poly Blue
  • 289 V-8 4-Barrel Engine
  • 4-Speed Manual Gearbox
  • 14″ “Dogbone” Wheels
  • Blue/White Pony Interior
  • Roll Bar

Tickets are available from the Old Prison Museum Visitors Center at

1106 Main Street, Deer Lodge, MT 59722

For information on Museum Opening Hours, entry prices and other information, please call

(406) 846-3111

All proceeds from the raffle support the Montana Auto Museum. This fundraiser is managed by Powell County Museum & Arts Foundation, a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. Drawing will be held on December 6th, 2013 at 9 pm MST. Need not be present to win. Must be 18 or older to participate. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be notified by telephone or certified mail. Winner is responsible for all taxes, fees and delivery charges.

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Old Montana Prison on TV

Posted on March 15, 2013

Last year the team from SyFy Channel’s ‘Haunted Collector’ visited the Old Montana Prison. You can see what they experienced on Wednesday 20th March 2013 at 7 pm Mountain Time when the episode ‘Ghost Behind Bars’ is shown for the first time.

For a sneak preview of Season 3, click the PLAY button to watch the video below, or click on the following link http://youtu.be/yhgP3RZ-NGk

This episode will be repeated at 6 pm Mountain Time on 27th March, check your cable and satellite listings for channel details. Watch the episode online at a later date on the Haunted Collector YouTube channel ($1.99)

More information about the ‘Haunted Collector’ team can be found on their website HERE

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Old Montana Prison & Auto Museums open for 2013 Season

Posted on March 6, 2013

The Old Montana Prison Museum and Montana Auto Museum re-opened to the public at 10 am on Wednesday March 6th for the 2013 season. Both Museums are open from Wednesday through Sunday, closed on Monday and Tuesday. Opening times are from 10 am until 4 pm, although last admission into the Prison is at 3:10 pm and into the Auto Museum is at 3:30 pm. The Gift Shop and Visitors Center close at 4 pm.

The Admission Charge covers entry to both Museums. Please allow approx. 1 hour to tour the Old Prison, 20 minutes plus for the Auto Museum. All tours are self-guided.

  • Adults 16 and over – $9.00
  • AAA, Good Sam, KOA, Over 62, or Military – $8.00
  • Children 10-15 – $5.00
  • Children 9 and under – FREE
    • Children under 16 MUST be accompanied by an Adult at ALL TIMES
  • School and other Group Rates available
    • Please call (406) 846-3111 or e-mail info@pcmaf.org for pricing and to make reservations.

Our other Museums and Attractions will re-open late May, when all Museums will be open 7 days a week. A Brand New Exhibit is coming to Yesterday’s Playthings, more information will be released later in the season.

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WINTER BREAK 2012

Posted on December 9, 2012

WINTER BREAK

The Old Montana Prison Museum complex will be closing for the Winter Break on Monday, December 10th 2012.

After the final visitors leave the museum at 4pm on Sunday December 9th, the doors will close to the public, re-opening at 10 am on March 6th 2013.

An exciting new exhibit will be moving into Yesterday’s Playthings during the break, more news will be announced prior to re-opening.

Offices will be staffed from Monday to Friday, please call 406-846-3111 with any inquiries, or to book school and bus tours. Leave a message if nobody is available to take your call.

Thanks go out to all of the staff, members, volunteers and visitors for supporting the Museums this past 12 months. The Museums could not operate without the funds generated by our visitors, Raffle Ticket sales, gift store purchases, our loyal PCMAF members, and our dedicated band of volunteers who make generous donations of their time and/or money.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we hope to see you in 2013.

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The Winner of the 2012 Raffle Car is…

Posted on December 1, 2012

The winning ticket number is: 22463

The winner of the 2012 “Win A Classic”, the 1971 Corvette Stingray Convertible, is Blaine Erlenbush of Junction City, Oregon

CONGRATULATIONS to the winner, and a big THANK YOU to everyone who took part in the Raffle. All proceeds help support the Montana Auto Museum.

The 2013 Raffle Car can be seen on this page.

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Deer Lodge Christmas Festival 2012

Posted on November 26, 2012

Christmas Festival: Friday, November 30th

Powell County Museum & Arts Foundation is the main sponsor of this annual Holiday Celebration held at the Pen Convention Center, which kicks off the Christmas Events weekend in Deer Lodge.

Whilst the kids visit with Santa from 5 pm till 7 pm, the adults can enjoy the Preview, which starts at 6 pm. Festive cheer, holiday snacks and beverages.

The main festivities start at 7 pm, when there will be auctions and raffles (items available include decorated trees, table decorations, liquor basket, kids stocking, etc.), a 50/50 raffle, live music from Wes Harr and ‘Short Notice’, food and drinks. Santa will make a special appearance at 9 pm, drawing the winning ticket for the 1971 Corvette Stingray Raffle Car. This evening is the final opportunity to buy that winning ticket!

Events will be held at the Pen Convention Center on Main Street. FREE of charge, open to everyone.

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The 2012 Montana Auto Museum Raffle Car

Posted on November 17, 2012

UPDATE: And the winner is…. Click HERE for the answer

The 12th Annual “Win A Classic” Raffle car is a 1971 Corvette Stingray Convertible

  • Mille Miglia Red
  • 350 CID V-8 Engine
  • 4-Speed Manual Gearbox
  • Power Disc Brakes
  • Factory Rally Wheels
  • Chrome Luggage Rack
  • Black Interior
  • Black Soft Top

Tickets are available from the Old Prison Museum Visitors Center at

1106 Main Street, Deer Lodge, MT 59722

For information on Museum Opening Hours, entry prices and other information, please call

(406) 846-3111

All proceeds from the raffle support the Montana Auto Museum. This fundraiser is managed by Powell County Museum & Arts Foundation, a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. Drawing will be held on November 30th, 2012. Need not be present to win. Must be 18 or older to participate. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be notified by telephone or certified mail. Winner is responsible for all taxes, fees and delivery charges.
Corporate Supporters: Sun Mountain Lumber of Deer Lodge, MT (www.sunmtnlumber.com) and Street Dreams Texas of Fredericksburg, TX (www.streetdreamstexas.com)
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Haunted House 2012

Posted on October 20, 2012

The Old Montana Prison Presents

The 9th Annual

“Terror in the Cell House”

Friday, October 26th

Saturday, October 27th

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

 Admission – $5.00 per person

Not recommended for children under 10 years

Entrance at the Visitor Center

Old Montana Prison

1106 Main Street – Deer Lodge

 Special Appearance by “Butte Magic”

Fire-eating, Sword Swallowing and More!!

 Kids Halloween Festival

The Pen Convention Center

Parents Attending The Haunted House!!!

Enjoy the Haunted House while your little ones enjoy the Kid’s Halloween Festival!!

(For Kids Under 10 Years)

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