Community News

Museum of the Rockies

Montana State University

600 W. Kagy Blvd

Bozeman, MT 59717

406-994-2652

fax: 406-994-2682 

museumoftherockies.org

EXHIBITS

TREE HOUSES: LOOK WHO’S LIVING IN THE TREES!

Back Gallery: February 21 – May 10

Spend some time hanging out in the trees. Immerse yourself in an indoor tree house and explore it firsthand through stereoscopic viewfinders, tracking clues, natural artifacts, and sound. Uncover fascinating facts about who actually lives in trees, what kinds of animal clues to look and listen for in the forest, and how people use trees for their homes.

TOYS: THE INSIDE STORY

Back Gallery: February 21 – May 10

If your parents never let you break open your Etch A Sketch® to find out how it works, or if you’ve been wondering how to stop your toddler’s push toy from making such an infernal racket, you’ll love Toys: The Inside Story. This new exhibition illustrates the simple mechanisms commonly found in toys and lets visitors create their own toy-like combinations of gears, pulleys, linkages, cams, and circuits.

EDWARD S. CURTIS: THE ARTIST AS ETHNOGRAPHER

Front Gallery: February 28 – May 10

Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952) is internationally recognized as one of the great photographic artists of the American West. In recent years, his work has also been roundly critiqued for its one-dimensional view of American Indians as a “vanishing race,” a term Curtis himself used frequently. Curated by the Museum of the Rockies, this exhibition features photographic prints on loan from the Capital Group Foundation in Los Angeles.

EVENTS

DARWIN DAY

Come celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, Museum of the Rockies style. We’ll explore evolution, who Darwin was, the mechanisms he proposed, and why he’s still so important today. Enjoy hands-on activities, exhibits, and a slice of birthday cake.

Wednesday, February 11 (Early Release Day)

1-3 pm

Free with Museum Admission

FIRE AND ICE BALL

Spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart at the Museum of the Rockies Fire and Ice Ball. Enjoy the Fire Room featuring an all-you-can-eat tantalizing hot buffet, and a glacial Ice Room with a martini ice luge. Dance to live music and bid on once-in-a-lifetime adventures such as a family dinosaur dig with Jack Horner.  The Museum Ball is Saturday, February 14th from 6 pm–midnight, and tickets are $150 for members and $175 for nonmembers. For more information visit Museumoftherockies.org.

FAMILY GAME DAY

Hot chocolate, popcorn, and games galore will fill your snowy Monday holiday with great family memories. Back by popular demand, the Family Game Day features traditional Native American games, board games, and some of the Museum staff’s favorite exploration activities for our most popular exhibits. Bring your friends and parents and get ready to play!

Monday, February 16 (Presidents’ Day)

1 – 3 pm 

Free with Museum admission

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS 

OUR MOON ROCKS! (GRADES K-5)

Explore the moon without ever stepping into space. Learn about the Moon’s craters, volcanism, space weathering, and more. Take a glance at missions to the Moon, touch rocks similar to those found on the Moon, and make your own Moon craters in this exciting and engaging out-of-this-world adventure. $10 for members, $15 for non-members.  

Thursday, February 26, 3:45-5 pm 

TOURS FOR TOTS -- ENDURING PEOPLES (Ages 3-5 years)

Explore the Enduring Peoples American Indian exhibit and learn what it was like to be an American Indian child on the plains in the 1800s.  Play traditional Native American games and listen to stories of the Plains Indians. Space is limited, but pre-registration is not required unless you are a preschool group. For more information call 406.994.6618. Tuesday and Thursday tours are from 10-11 am, and Wednesday tours are from 2-3 pm; all in the Redstart Classroom. Tours are free for members and $5 for non-members

Tuesday, February 17

Wednesday, February 18

Thursday, February 19

SENSATIONAL BABIES (Ages 0–2 years)

Read, talk, sing, and play with your baby through sensory awareness activities and explorations designed specifically for newborns to two-year-olds.  This popular Museum program promotes cognitive, physical, and social development.  Each program varies in content and is free for members and $5 per child for non-members. This class is now offered once per week to serve more children and families. Pre-registration is not required; maximum number of children per class is 25. For more information call 406.994.6618.

 All classes are from 10–11 am on Wednesdays

February 4, 11, 18, 25

TAYLOR PLANETARIUM

January 1 – May 24 

Shows and show times are subject to change without notice. All planetarium shows except for laser shows are included in the price of admission to the Museum.

HUBBLE VISION UPDATE

Since its launch in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided incredible images in unprecedented detail, from nearby objects in the solar system to the most distant galaxies at the limits of the observable universe. Taking the best and most exciting Hubble images, this show weaves a tale of cosmic exploration and discovery. Included is information on the most recent Hubble shuttle mission.

Mon-Fri at 11 am and 2 pm

Sat at 11 am, 1, 2, and 4 pm

Sun at 1, 2, and 4 pm

MYSTERY OF THE MISSING SEASON

Join young Angelo stargaze in his backyard as he helps a pair of visitors from the planet Dipnot figure out why their world does not have seasons, while ours does. This show is for younger viewers and their families.

Sat at 10 am

CURRENT SKY

STAR SIGNS SPRING

Learn about the night sky, from the time our early ancestors interpreted their Universe through the astrological signs of the zodiac, to our modern-day view. Viewers will also find out about the current seasonal constellations and celestial objects.

Sat & Sun at 3 pm