The MonDak Heritage Center is the “Sunrise City’s” premier history and art museum. It’s located in Sidney, Montana, near the Yellowstone River and North Dakota border.
As with much of Big Sky country, ranching plays a big part in Sidney’s history and culture.
Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits
The Old West has always fascinated me — especially through this part of Montana. I’ve driven the length of the Yellowstone River through the state researching one of my novels, Badlands and Outlaws: Adventure on the Frontier. In the novel, the main character is riding drag behind a herd of cattle, while his eyes are on the hills looking for outlaws.
But back to the museum and its old west artifacts.
While the museum has late 1800s saddles, blacksmith shop, rifles, barbed wire and more, it was the collection of brands that most interested me.
While I didn’t count them all, there are more than 150 brands displayed in the museum. In addition to the information on the brand placards, there’s also a detailed list of the brands.
Fast Fact: Brands were first recorded in 1873 in Montana, with new brand registrations submitted until 1910. The state's historical records include over 100,000 pages of livestock brand registrations compiled by the Brands Enforcement Division of the Montana Department of Livestock.
Brands, of course, are marks used to identify livestock. You may be surprised to know that ranchers weren’t the first to use them. Indeed, ancient Egyptians branded their livestock.
Typically, brands are family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation.
What’s in the MonDak Heritage Center
The MonDak Heritage Center was established in 1984. The building has about 16,200 sq. ft used to display its regional collection and hold its programs.
Settlers began arriving in the area in the 1870s, however, Sidney wasn’t named until 1888. It didn’t incorporate until 1911.
Where did the town of Sidney, Montana, get its name?
The story goes that settlers couldn’t get a post office to receive mail until the growing townsite had a name. Eureka had been their first choice. However, there was already a Eureka, Montana, in the northwestern part of the state close to the Canadian border. So, the townsite needed something different.
Hiram Otis, who was the local Justice of the Peace, was charged with filling out the new application. Now Hiram had a hobby that he loved and that was fishing. He also had a fishing partner he was fond of — a six-year-old boy named Sidney. Sidney and his parents were living with Hiram at the time.
An inspiration hit Hiram while he was filling out the post office application papers. He would call the townsite Sidney.
Starting your tour, you’ll see a great collection of exhibits from the homesteading era.
From washboards to separators (used to separate cream from milk), there’s lots of information on this era.
And once there were homesteaders there were fences, so the old west was fenced away!
Fast Fact: According to museum information, 500 different patents for barbed wire have been registered! That's important because barbed wire for livestock fences reshaped the old west. The first patent was granted to Michael Kelly in 1868. However, Joseph Glidden's 1874 patent improved it by using a simple wire barb locked into a double-strand wire that's still used today.
Many find the historical “Main Street” exhibit the museum’s standout feature. It recreates the look and feel of a 1930s town, complete with local stores and businesses. You’ll find everything from soda fountains to gas stations to dentistry.
Natural gas was piped into the Lower Yellowstone Valley in the 1930s. Electricity was provided to area homes by then as well.
And if you’re an art lover, you’ll enjoy the extensive collection of artworks. The collection includes numerous pieces from renowned Western artist, J.K. Ralston. Ralston was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2012.
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
This trip began, as our roadtrips often do, in Williston, North Dakota. It’s just 45 miles (72 km) from Williston to Sidney.
While we’ve stayed in a number of hotels in Williston, we highly recommend the Bakken Airport XWA Hotel & Studios.
It’s great value for the dollar, being budget priced and just over a decade old. The only drawback is that it’s eight miles out of the city.
Our favorite place to eat in Williston is at Famous Dave’s
Bar-B-Que. Or, if you’re looking for more of a night out, we like Doc Holliday’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill. The atmosphere is great!
Who Should Visit the MonDak Heritage Center?
The MonDak Heritage Center has an exhibit for everyone! History buffs, of course, will find lots to see.
From cowboy days to their 1930s main street, there are a number of unique exhibits.
Art enthusiasts will find exhibitions from local and regional artists in addition to permanent collection works by renowned artist, J.K. Ralston. Exhibitions rotate, so there’s always new artwork to see.
The center also offers lots for locals including art classes and camps for all ages. Their Youth Art Show and MonDak Christmas are popular annual events.
Cultural events, including live music performances and theater productions also bring visitors to the museum.
Part of the collection is dedicated to research library and archives. So, anyone interested in local historical and genealogical research will find the museum a great resource.
How Do You Visit the MonDak Heritage Center?
The MonDak Heritage Center in Sidney, Montana is considered the best museum in the area for its focus on the region’s history, art, and culture.
Parking: There's lots of free street parking.
Location: 120 3rd Avenue Southeast, Sidney, Montana.
Admission to the MonDak Heritage Center is free. You can check days and hours open on the MonDak Heritage Center website.
Plan your visit with Google maps.
Find More Museum Reviews for Montana
Check out more reviews of museum attractions in Montana on guide2museums.com.
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