Collecting since 1888…

When the Helena Library first opened on the second floor of the Grand Opera House in 1888, there was never any intention of running a public museum. This changed by the end of day one with the presentation of a wooden inkwell stand to the librarian. The stand was soon joined by artwork, statues, and fine china, and by 1930 the collection had balloned to the point that the Women’s Library Association founded the Phillips County Library (now the Helena Museum of Phillips County) to manage it all. We are always looking to expand the collection, but these days we try not to bite off more than we can chew.

If you have something relevant to the history of Phillips County and you think it might be appropriate for our collection, please contact the museum via phone or email to start the evaluation process.

The museum board members and staff must evaluate all items offered to the Helena Museum of Phillips County before formally accepting them for our collection. The evaluation process can take up to a month to complete. The more information you are able to provide us on the history of the item or items, the faster we will be able to complete the evaluation process. Once we decide to add your item or items to our collection, we will send you a gift agreement to sign and return. This transfers ownership of the item or items to the Helena Museum of Phillips County.

Board members and staff do not provide appraisals.