Museum At Central School

    Central School was built in 1894 and through the years served as an elementary school, junior high and high school, and even as a community college but after sitting empty for a few years it was scheduled for demolition. Fortunately the City of Kalispell decided this beautiful example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture was worth saving especially since the tin ceilings, wainscoting, and hardwood floors were still in good condition.

   The first floor of the museum is dedicated to Native American history and artifacts; and the life story of Frank B Linderman. Linderman left his home state of Ohio in 1885, at just sixteen years of age, to become at trapper in Montana territory. Over the next six years he lived on Native lands and became friends with the Salish, Kootenai, Crow, Blackfeet, Cree, and Chippewa. He learned tribal customs and legends. His interest in the tribes continued after he married, had a family, and worked as an assayer, furniture salesman, newspaperman, insurance salesman, and politician. After he retired he wrote over 20 books, fiction and nonfiction, about Native Americans and frontier life.

   The second floor has exhibits on the logging industry and the Flathead Lake area, both before and after the dam was constructed.

    An accessible entrance is on the north side of the building. The museum is accessible.

    RVs can be parked on the street on the south side of the museum – free, two hour parking. Museum  48.19731, -114.3104