C. M. Russell Museum

I had a wonderful visit to the CM Russell Museum with my father recently. The museum opened right on time and offered great discounts for military and students, which was a nice touch. The timeline of Charles Russell’s life was fascinating and really informative. It could be expanded a bit more, but it was still insightful to see how his art evolved over time. The museum has grown significantly thanks to generous donations, making the exhibits even more impressive. Overall, I highly recommend anyone interested in the Wild West and Charles Russell’s legacy to visit.

Way more inside than it may appear! Before I went in, I knew nothing of C.M. Russell. Now he feels like a family member! We very much enjoyed all of the carvings of the frontier life of the day! The Josephine collection sure brought things to life! One of the best Browning displays/ timelines that I have ever seen!

You will be moved. This museum can make you weep, it can make you think. Take the time to visit and learn and enjoy some of the most stunning art in the world here.

This is an intimate look at CM Russell,his wife and his friendships. Deep friendships - through the time when people really knew each other well. The other exhibits featuring Native people and the cowboy was amazing and honorable.

If you find yourself in Great Falls, Montana, a visit to the C.M. Russell Museum is an absolute must. This beautiful museum exceeded my expectations with its thoughtfully curated collection that showcases not only the art of Charles Marion Russell—a cowboy turned renowned artist—but also the rich history of the region. I spent a delightful two hours wandering through the exhibits on a quiet weekday, where I enjoyed the spacious layout that made viewing each piece a breeze. The museum offers a fantastic display of Russell’s works, alongside fascinating insights into his life, friendships, and the Wild West he portrayed so vividly. The museum is also home to Russell’s well-preserved studio and cabin, located just behind the main building. These spaces provide a deeply personal glimpse into the life of the artist, adding a unique layer to the experience. The informational plaques beside each artwork were thorough and engaging, enhancing my understanding of both Russell’s artistic journey and the native art and memorabilia that are significantly represented in the collection. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop before you leave! It features a wonderful selection of items that celebrate the local culture and art. I refrained from sharing too many pictures to preserve the surprise for future visitors, but trust me, this museum is definitely worth your time. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a history buff, the C.M. Russell Museum will leave you inspired and enlightened.

I seened Charlie Russell pictures I never seemed before. Was also other artists featured there. This was on my bucket list for a long time. If you like western themed art, this will be a unforgettable place to visit.

What a great display of Art and to see his original home and art studio was truly an experience. As you walk his art and you realize you looking at something over 124 years old it’s pretty amazing to see. The fact the museum is on his original home site just adds to it. Great sculptures outside on the grounds, shaded picnic tables available. Great place to spend the day.

We finally went for a visit. Friday and museum was not too busy. Took our time. Very well laid out. Great info beside pictures. Very good collection of C M Russell art. Also lots of native art and memorabilia. Make sure to make time to visit cabin and house just outside the main museum. Beautiful and so nice to c both in such condition. Admission was very reasonable. Looks like there’s more to come. We will be back to check. Sure glad we stopped!

We got there late in day, less than 2 hours before closing and had to rush. Will definitely need to return to be able to spend enough time to learn and enjoy!

Comprehensive museum that shows the authentic West through Charles Russell's eyes. Very well organized!

A stellar magical place. Fills you up with the majesty of the West, and tells you the story of the rough&tumble, colorful artsy characters of Charlie and his friends. Worth going out of your way!

WOW! What a fantastic collection of Western American Art, both past and present! YOU HAVE TO VISIT THIS PLACE! What I love: There is an incredible variety of pieces - seriously! Each piece is beautifully lit and displayed to enhance that specific piece The museum, itself, is large, airy, and easy to navigate Okay, the museum gift shop? Dangerously fabulous (just ask my credit card...) The staff welcomes you in! They seem to genuinely love this place and want you to love it, too! How cool is that? Like Mr. Russell, the artwork displayed is so respectful, stunning, really, in the portrayal of all races, creeds, and ethnic groups - they get it and have for many years. Need more proof? Look at this year's Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees; this is an organization closely associated with the CM Russell Museum - I am a big fan of theirs, too The serious support and wall space given by the museum to today's Western Artists is applause-worthy! No, I don't work for the museum or the Hall of Fame. No, I have not been asked to write a review, much less been paid for this review. I say this because I also know, I am gushing. This place is worth it. Go visit! You will thank me.

Must see if you are a fan of western art. Many Russell originals along with other western artists. Also be sure to visit his original studio and home on the property.

Very well done. We were there 9/4-9/6/2016. His work is more meaningful since many of his work depicted scenes in Glacier National Park (GNP) where we hiked from 8/25-8/31/2016. It's also 100th anniversary for national parks so the theme for the museum was Going to the Sun which is the name of the road running east/west of the GNP. We recognized the scenes that were memorialized forever in his pictures and sculptures. Also shown were the work of his artist friends who spent time at Mr. Russell's cabin in GNP. Through their eyes, I could see the wild west, untamed by men, the alluring beauty and the lurking dangers within. I soaked it all up. His 2,400 sqft. house adjacent to the museum was opened to public. It cost $400 to build (designed by his wife). It narrowly escaped demolition! Mr. Russell was indeed an extraordinary man whose talent was not confined or restricted in one form of art. He painted, drew, sculpted. You should plan to spend at least half a day there.

Well- let me tell you- it's certainly a good way to spend one hour or so while you are in Great Falls, Montana, that is for sure. CM Russell is a famous (I know now, after going to this Museum) "cowboy" artist/sculptor/painter- kind of cross of Remington and Rockwell, who worked around the turn of the century and did pretty well with images of the just-vanished "Old West"- i.e. cowboys, indians & wild life. The Museum is absurdly complete- sketches, sculptures, paintings, paintings by his comrades, gun collections, a library that looks like it would be pretty kick ass (appointment only), and an interactive children's play area(!) That being said, the artist himself seems relatively inconsequential- we're talking "Thomas Kinkade, Painter of Light" but for cowboys n' indians. It's a "Saturday Evening Post" type of place. It is also $9 per adult to get in- which seems really, really, expensive even given the utter completeness of the collection.

Charles M Russell was an artist i hadnt heard off before stepping foot into this museum but his artwork is truly phenomenal. Hi ability to remember from memory all the intricate details and colors that he saw out in the Plains is just amazing. You can see the progression of his talent and use of colors. Our guide D.J McKay seemed to have fallen in love with the artist and spoke of him as though she knew him personally. This museum is a great way to learn about the west and that period of history through the eyes of one of the most re known artist of the time!!!

If you are in Great Falls you really should make time to visit the Charles M Russell Museum. I am museum junkie and have visited museums in many countries. I would rate this museum very highly. Russell and Frederick Remington are two artists whose works define our perception of the post Civil War American West. Their images have influenced the way the West has been visually represented in movies and later television. Russell was a real cowboy before he became a painter so he was intimately familiar with his subjects. His draftsmanship and use of color are impressive. He also worked in bronze. I fish the nearby Missouri River every year and have seen the Museum expand over the years. It is a very nice venue. There are a lot of works by Russell of course and also by other artists of a similar orientation. There are also some period artifacts including a nice gun collection. Access and parking a easy. Go! What else is there to do in Great Falls anyway.

A wonderful museum with many original works by Charles M Russell. There are a great mix of oil paintings, watercolors, pen and ink drawings, sculptures, photographs and traveling exhibitions by other artists besides Russell. The staff is friendly and helpful. The museum is clean and well organized. Works are spaced appropriately with plenty of room to walk through and view, as well as, benches throughout to stop and relax. They even have some magnifying lenses available for use to look at the details of Russell's smaller works. Although they are closed on Mondays, I love that they are open on Sundays. They also put on several activities and events each month as well i.e. Book signings, docent tours, drawing workshops, artists demos, etc. which all add to the museum. The gift shop is lovely and contains a nice array of books, jewelry, gift quality home goods, CM Russell mementos and postcards, and more. Definitely worth a stop if you make a trip to Great Falls. Be sure to give yourself at least a couple hours time to walk through.

This place is beautiful-filled with contempary and older western art. Special exhibits are fantastic and highlight the Native American experience as well as that of the pioneer.Many artists are represented here. You can spend hours browsing, and get a drink or snack in the restaurant if it is open. The parking is kind of limited-it is in a residential area-but it is never very busy unless there is a special event being held. Volunteers are courteousl. There are special discounts for seniors and students and a big gift shop. A quiet place to spend a rainy or snowy afternoon. .I am really a fan of this place.

He has wanted to come here forever and neither of us were disappointed! It's a beautiful museum with a really helpful staff. Nice gift shop too. We spent about four hours but could've stayed a little longer if we didn't have so far to travel home. Also loved the collection of Jay Contway bronzes downstairs. Definitely coming back!

In a word...awesome! We spent about 2 hours here, wandering the various rooms. It is a lovely (albeit smaller) museum. Very well done exhibits, beautiful art, nice narratives and descriptions, great variety of information and art, tasteful gift shop, etc. It is totally worth spending the afternoon.

Absolutely loved learning about Charlie M. Russell! Our tour guide, DJ McKay, delved so deeply into the life and works of this cowboy artist, that we felt as though it was a full-fledged college level history course instead. This is truly one of the treasures of Great Falls, Montana. If you want to not only learn about, but experience the West first hand, as well as Native American culture, you MUST visit this museum. Four stars! Side-note: If you're looking to buy some souvenirs to cherish the memories, the gift store is amazing, fully stocked with everything you can possibly think of, ranging from toys, pajamas, dreamcatchers, postcards, chocolate, shot glasses... And everything else in between!

Wonderful place to visit especially if you like western art. We are fans of Russell's work and it was very interesting to see how his art progressed over the years. There are a lot of other western artists displayed in the museum, many of whom were his friends who shared their techniques with him. Definitely a must see if you are in the area.

Jeanne C's review (7-17-14) probably has hit the key theme of this museum. Russell's art progressed from a fairly basic point as a young man to an increased brilliance, especially after he studied in New York. His use of color is compelling. His work tells a story as well as any art I have ever seen. I poo pooed his art as "just cowboy art" for many years. What a dope I was. If you ever get the chance to go through this museum, do not miss it. There are several terrific pieces by O.C. Seltzer too. The rest of the art is just okay, but Russell will absolutely knock your socks off, er, your chaps, uh, jingle bobs, ohhhh you get the point! The museum could use an audio tape to help explain the details, and his story. As Ian Tyson states in song, God really did give Charlie THE GIFT.

Maybe an off day (they said they were not at their best so it was free) This was an ok visit, Some great paintings and a view into the artists life. Also a very cool horse-drawn hearse form the artist's funeral. It is probably worth spending a couple of hours in. I would have loved to see it when it was fully up and running.

This is a very good museum with many, many works by Charles (Charlie) M. Russell who worked until his death in 1926. His western works are really interesting because they frequently show the Indians at the transition under the impacts of the "intruders" from the east. I'd really like to give this five stars, but there's no overall introduction to Russell and his period. The Museum presumes you know the era and you know Russell. Sorry, we're not all art experts and this musuem should aim at a wider audience. Also, the labeling has some irritating errors: a couple of labels say "X to the left and Y to the right" when X is to the far left and Y is to the left! Why make every visitor confused and frustrated? And, there's a great early self-portrait that doesn't even say that: it should say, "One of Russell's earlest self portraits - see the orginal leather shirt in the case in the middle of this room." The layout of the Museum is confusing. There are room numbers in most (?) of the rooms, but it's not so simple. There is a good children's experience room -- drop in even if you're just a party of adults. The orginal house and studio are great - don't miss them. The gift shop is nice, but all high-end -- beyond "gift shop" to "boutique." No food available on site. There are free (after regular admission) guided tours available (once a day during our visit) which could be good. If you have a significant interest in history, Indians or art, allow about three hours. For a "walk through," allow an hour.

Its a diamond of Great Falls !! Speechless!!! Must see Tatiana Z NY

Great Museum! If you're passing through Great Falls, its an awesome place to stop, rest, and see a little taste of Great Falls. Even a little kids place!

Wow, what a great find in Great Falls! The Russell Museum is quite large, spanning two floors - not at all the small place I was expecting. Budget at least an hour to wander through all the galleries. The Russell collection is impressive, particularly the watercolors, and the information provided throughout is helpful in understanding his style and choice of images. It really brought to life the Western landscape as Russell knew it, both in his early years working the range as a cowboy and later as an artist who built relationships with the Indians he painted. I enjoyed the accompanying buffalo exhibit downstairs, which discussed the factors behind the decline of buffalo in the western US and talked about the role of buffalo in native life. Very cool. There is also an impressive model stagecoach collection, many bronze sculptures by several artists, and a nice rotating selection of pieces from the permanent collection featuring other prominent Western artists. And don't miss the gift shop, which has some great little gifts and home decor!

I really enjoyed this museum. The artwork is beautiful! Amazing artists. They have a gift shop, photographs, some history about buffalo I appreciated downstairs, covered wagon models (really cool to see the functions of each one)... It's a nice place to visit on a slow day. Active duty military is free entry with guest passes for the family. I'm going again. Check it out! Oh! There is also the studio where he painted but not open in the winter. :/