Gov. Gianforte, Washington Family Celebrate Topping Out of Montana Heritage Center

• May 17 2022

HELENA, Mont. – Celebrating the recent $25 million donation by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation to the Montana Historical Society (MHS), Governor Greg Gianforte today joined the Washingtons and members of MHS at the topping out ceremony for the Montana Heritage Center.

“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Dennis and Phyllis Washington, the Montana Heritage Center will preserve our state’s treasured history for generations to come,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Today we celebrate an important milestone in bringing the 66,000-square-foot heritage center to life.”

Gov. Gianforte recognizes Dennis and Phyllis Washington at topping out ceremony

Continuing 34 years of philanthropy, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation last month announced a $25 million donation to MHS for the construction of the new Montana Heritage Center in Helena. The gift is the largest in MHS history.

“Today is our first trip here, and I looked up at this building and didn’t realize how big this would be. With the help of other donors, we’ll make this the best in the state. It will be high tech and not go out of style,” Dennis Washington, cofounder of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and founder of The Washington Companies, said.

The foundation’s gift will help cover construction costs of the $81 million, 66,000-square-foot Montana Heritage Center, upgrades to the existing 70-year-old Veterans and Pioneers Memorial Building, and landscaping of native plants, a sensory garden, and trails tying together the entire Montana Heritage Center campus.

The Montana Heritage Center addition will house an expanded 15,000-square-foot Homeland historical gallery, with artifacts dating from 14,000 years ago to the present, a 6,150-square-foot event center with capacity for more than 300 people, and a café offering beverages and deli items.

“Today, we set the final beams that form the backbone of the Montana Heritage Center, which will be home to the Big History of the Big Sky State. But the Heritage Center is more than a building,” said MHS director Molly Kruckenberg. “It will be a community space that invites conversations between generations. It will be a place that inspires visitors to explore our past. It will share the stories of all Montanans, to provide meaning for today and vision for tomorrow.”

In his remarks, the governor recognized individuals working on the project with Sletten Construction Companies, saying, “As you frame walls, hang windows, and lay floors, know the value of the work you’re doing. You’re helping preserve Montana’s history, and our state is grateful. Thank you.”

Final beam is set at the Montana Heritage Center during the topping out ceremony

In addition to the $25 million donation from the Washington Foundation, funding for the project includes $41 million from the state accommodations tax, $7.5 million in general obligation bonds, and $900,000 in energy savings grants. MHS has also already raised almost $8 million in grants and private donations and is committed to covering the rest of the construction costs.

The new Montana Heritage Center is projected to open in late 2024 or early 2025.

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