The history of Rosebud County, Montana, is collected in the Rosebud County Museum in Forsythe. Forsythe is the county seat, so the natural home for this general museum collection.
What’s in the Rosebud County Museum?
Most of the collection of the Rosebud County Museum is housed in a single building. Constructed in 1966, a wing was added in 1982, and two additions in 2005.
Some agricultural equipment is displayed outside as well.
The museum is organized into types of exhibits all displayed in the open, walk-through, well-lighted building.
A center aisle display has a miniature constructed of the town’s main street on a series of tables. Volunteers made great use of the space by hanging a lot of the smaller farm equipment on walls behind larger display pieces.
Different types of household tools, such as old washboards and a wooden washing machine, sit together with hand-written tags identifying the item and white cards indicating the original owner/donor. Most things are tagged, so you don’t have to guess what they might be.
What Kinds of Things Can you See in the Museum?
Some of the neat pieces include:
- Mimeograph print recorder
- Very old cream separator
- Polished agate mounting display of rattlesnake rattlers (the hollow bead-like pieces on the rattler at the end of the rattlesnake’s tail)
- Super “scintillator” instrument designed to locate uranium deposits when flying 50 to 100 feet above the terrain
- Engraving machine used locally from 1946 to 1981
Linda’s Pick of the Displays
When I visit general museums, I’m always on the lookout for two things: for odds and ends of things that I’ve never encountered before, and pieces with amazing stories.
Here, it was the four slot machines in the photo below that were something I hadn’t seen before.
The Sun Chief slot machines were produced by O.D. Jennings & Co. starting in 1912. The machine on the left, above, would be circa 1949. All in all, this company released 286 different machines. The Standard Chief Bell slots were produced in 1938.
So, now, to the most interesting story I discovered in Forsythe.
Fast Fact: In 1973, Don Bradley of Forsythe, MT, started the process of getting permission to remove an abandoned Avery steam engine tractor (they resembled railroad engines more than conventional farm steam engines of the time) from the mountains above Bear Canyon, where it had laid for 50 years.
The engine had been purchased for use at a sawmill site, but its use proved to be short-lived. Instead, it had been abandoned with the owners’ dreams for establishing a lumber mill, at the foot of Mount Ellis.
When Bradley’s team went to move it out, it was buried in snow nearly to the tops of its seven foot tall wheels!
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
David and I took a short stop in Forsythe, Montana, after stopping in the small town of Rosebud. I’d wanted to take a look around modern-day Rosebud, as it had been the location of an exciting scene in my western novel (set in 1901) for ages 10+, Longhorns and Outlaws.
While both Rosebud and Forsythe are on Interstate-94, we took a little traveled local road between the two, which was quite scenic.
The night before, we’d stayed in Miles City, which is just 46 miles east of Forsythe. After a day on the road, I always enjoy a walk, so took in the historic Miles City Walking Tour.
Dinner was just part of the experience at the historic Montana Bar, which was first established in 1893 as a saloon.
Much of the bar is original, like the pressed tin ceiling, the electric ceiling paddle fans, and the Italian terrazzo tiles on the floor. And my grilled lemon pepper chicken and white cheddar cheese curds were delicious!
We choose the Econo Lodge for a hotel due to the balconies for the rooms, and while basic, it was clean and comfortable. Our first stop the next morning was the fabulous Range Riders Museum.
Who Should Visit the Rosebud County Museum?
The Rosebud County Museum is a nice to see museum, especially for those in the area or nearby communities. Since donations are all marked with the contributors’ identities, visitors will recognize the names, thus preserving local history or nearby communities.
Since donations are all marked with the contributors’ identities, visitors will recognize the names, thus preserving local history.
Of course, the museum also has some neat pieces for everyone interested in history, so if you’re near Forsythe traveling I-94 through Montana, and have an hour to spare, do drop in (it’s a small museum so do check open hours first).
How Do You Visit the Rosebud County Museum?
The Rosebud County Museum is located in Forsythe, Montana, on I-94, at 1335 Main Street. It’s typically open May into September.
Visit the Rosebud County Museum website for details on current hours, costs, and scheduled events on the Rosebudy County website.
Check out directions to the Rosebud County Museum with Google maps.
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