State of Montana Capitol Building

Helena replaced Virginia City as the territorial capital in 1879, but it was not until 1902 that a capitol building was erected based on a design by Kent and Bell of Iowa. In 1910 the legislature approved an addition that was finally completed in 1912. The capitol contains a significant collection of paintings and sculpture by Montana artists. (Photo 1915)

Sources at Lewis & Clark Library

1. Liffring, Bob. Tour Train Companion. Helena, Montana: Manx Publishing Co. 7-9. [Shelfmark M 978.66 L]
2. Paladin, Vivian, and Jean Baucus. Helena: An Illustrated History. Helena, Montana: Montana Historical Society Press, 1996. 116, 118, 119-221, 122, 130. [Shelfmark M 978.6615 P]

Sources at the Montana Historical Society Research Center

1. Burnham, Patricia, Lambert, Kirby, and Near, Susan.  Montana's State Capitol: The People's House. Helena, Montana: Montana Historical Society Press, 2002. [Shelfmark 725.11 L174m]
2. McDonald, James R.  Historic Structure Report: Montana State Capitol Building. Missoula, Montana: James McDonald Architects, 1981. [Shelfmark 725.1 M14h]
3. Foreman, L.H. State Capitol of Montana. Helena, Montana: c. 1935.  [Shelfmark 725.11 St29c]
4. Architectural Drawings, Montana State Capitol, Bell & Kent; Link & Haire; Morrison & Maierle (1899-1960s) (Technical Services, Black flat file, Drawer 4 -6)
5. Vertical files, Montana State Capitol Building (Artwork/Statue-Meagher/Statue-Dome.
6. Ephemera file, Montana State Capitol.
7. Poster, New State Capitol, Helena, Montana.  Art reproduction, ca. 1898. (P-812)
8. A Short History and Self Guided Tour of Montana's State Capitol.  Helena, MT.: Montana Historical Society, 2004. [Shelfmark S978.6 H62shs 2004]
9. Montana State Archives, Montana State Capitol Commission Records, 1895-1917 (RS 65)

State Historic Preservation Office

On-line resources