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Ninepipes Museum

of Early Montana History

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Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana

Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana

We are open for the 2023 Season March 2nd.
Our March and April Spring open hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10:00AM to 5:00PM. Tours by appointment only, Tuesday through Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM. Please call (406) 644-3435 or email us at info@ninepipesmuseum.org

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Stories from Bud

Video Perspective from Joe McDonald and Bud Cheff Jr..

Part 1 Family Stories Cross Cultural Perspectives on Growing up on the Flathead Reservation Part 2 Cross Cultural Perspectives on Growing up on the Flathead Reservation Part 3 Cross Cultural Perspectives on Growing up on the Flathead Reservation

The Lesson of Sweetgrass

Years ago, a Blackfoot woman from the Fort Macleod area in Alberta used to bring sweetgrass braids down to the museum every year, and my folks would purchase them from her, and keep them on hand for tribal customers who requested them.  The last year she came, she gave Bud a package of seeds she […]

A Big Cave by Bud, Jr

  A BIG CAVE As a boy my folks gave me a special birthday gift each year, starting at age six, and each year after.  My birthday was Sept 8, and that was when Dad began his fall hunting trips.   I got to help him trail the horses over the Mission Range, to our corrals […]

Bud Cheff

The beginning – Bud’s story

Vern E. ‘Bud’ Cheff, Sr. (1915 – 2011) and friend and mentor Eneas Conko (1874-1954). BUD’S STORY Bud Cheff Jr.’s ancestors first came to what is now Montana in the early-1800’s from Ontario, Canada.  His French and Iroquois grandparents settled on the Flathead Reservation in 1907, and became good friends with the tribal families that […]

The End of Chiefdom

When we think of Native American tribes and their history we often conjure up images of great Chiefs, donning their elaborately beaded clothing and headdresses.  But do we ever think about why we no longer see them today? Chief Koostatah Big Knife (1856-1942), Chief of the Ksanka (Kootenai) tribe belonging to the Confederated Salish and […]

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Welcome to the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana

Bud Cheff Jr
Early Montana
The Gift Shop

More News and Events from Ninepipes Museum.

Montana History and Gifts

Ninepipes Museum

Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana


The displays contain hundreds of Western Plains Indian items that depict the past life of all the Tribes of Montana and surrounding states. These items are not reproductions, but true artifacts.


The Ninepipes Museum

Montana Nature Trail

Montana Nature Trail


The Ninepipes Museum nature trails is a short walk on a gravel trail through manicured grounds. The views of the Mission Mountains is quite magnificent.


The Nature Trail

Montana Gifts

Montana Gifts


The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana gift shop contains hundreds of Montana gift ideas. We Ship to all 50 states, or you can visit the museum on your next visit.


Montana Gifts

What’s Happening at Ninepipes Museum

In Their Footsteps — Fire Bear’s Moccasins

November 4, 2022 By Volunteer Curator

William Standing “Fire Bear” was born July 27, 1904 in Oswego, Montana on the Fort Peck Reservation.  He was named after his Grandfather and was the great-grandson of Wi-Jun-Jon, Chief of the Assiniboine Tribe. Standing began his education at the Wolf Point Mission School and was one of five Kiowa Indians who became special students […]

Collections Policy Manual Complete

October 31, 2022 By Volunteer Curator

Please click on the image above to view our New Collections Policy Manual.  This link will be temporary until the policy manual is placed in a more permanent location on the museum’s website. This manual was graciously funded by a grant from the Montana History Foundation, and we are so grateful for the many professionals […]

In Their Footsteps – Buffalo Moccasins

October 22, 2022 By Volunteer Curator

Currently on display is a beautifully beaded pair of high-top moccasins worn by Mary (Beaverhead) Smallsalmon (1909-1995).  Though we don’t know a lot about her, we do know that she belonged to the Qlispe (Pend-d’Oreille) Tribe and was born about 1909 in the Mission Valley.  Below is a picture of Mary with her brother Pete […]

In Their Footsteps – The Mollmans at Ninepipes Museum

October 20, 2022 By Volunteer Curator

Ninepipes Museum currently has on display several items used and made by the Mollman brothers, Louie and Charley, as well as two items made by Louie’s daughter, Mary Katherine.  To learn more about the Mollman family, click here. A rawhide war shield was made by Louie and is on loan at the museum from Bud […]

Whitefish Credit Union Presents: Member Stories

June 24, 2022 By Ninepipes Museum

Not long ago, Whitefish Credit Union donated a pair of winter moccasins they had displayed in their Polson branch lobby for many years, along with some items loaned by Bud and Laurel Cheff, long time Credit Union Members. The old moccasins were for every-day use, worn and repaired, hinting at the story of a person’s […]

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Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana

69316 Highway 93 Charlo, MT 59824

Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is a 501(c)3 non-profit located in rural Northwest Montana. Donations are tax deductible.

Shipping costs are calculated for the lower 48 states in the U.S. For our International, Alaskan and Hawaiian customers we will contact you about shipping rates before your order is shipped. You can always call us at the Museum or email us with questions - (406) 644 3435. info@ninepipesmuseum.org


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