About the National Discovery Center
Two of the core tenets of American Prairie are providing education about the prairie and access to the land. The National Discovery Center is a rendezvous point for visitors going to the prairie, a vibrant place for community building and partnership, and an important educational resource on the importance of grassland ecosystems to the health of our planet. The National Discovery Center is located a short drive from the prairie in Lewistown, Montana. It is open to the public and hosts an ever-growing lineup of local, regional, and national activities and programs that stir visitors to love and want to preserve the prairie and all of its inhabitants.
Located in the renovated Power Mercantile building, the National Discovery Center features interactive exhibits about the prairie ecosystem, community meeting spaces, and a film theater. The Exhibit Hall includes interactive exhibits and the Night Sky Theater that explore the nuances of the prairie ecosystem. The Talpins Children’s Center gives kids their own place to play and learn about the prairie. The Clyde Aspevig Event Center, which provides flexible spaces for events, presentations, and meetings with state-of-the-art technology. The Ken Burns American Heritage Theater offers a variety of films that introduce visitors to American Prairie, its mission, and the prairie ecosystem.
Location: 302 W Main St Lewistown, MT 59457
Hours: Thursday-Saturday from 10am-4pm
Black-Footed Ferret Exhibit Web Cams
Upcoming Events
May
23
2026
Prairie Personalities: The Art of Carol Guzman-Aspevig
May 23–Oct 6
American Prairie’s National Discovery Center will host the works of Montana artist Carol Guzman-Aspevig from May 23 through October 3, 2026. The show’s opening is May 23 from 1 to 4 pm and features paintings of wildlife that the artist observed on American Prairie properties. An artist’s presentation is scheduled for 1 pm. Admission is free.
June
13
2026
EcoCritters with ZooMontana
Jun 13 / 10:00am–2:00pm
Staff from the Billings Zoo will bring a variety of live animals and other bizarre critters to Lewistown during this fun and educational event for kids and adults!
June
17
2026
Baroque Music Montana presents Beyond Baroque: Hymn of Thanksgiving – Beethoven’s Quartet Op 132
Jun 17 / 7:00pm
This world-class gut-string quartet performs one of the most revered of the entire string quartet repertoire, the late Beethoven String Quartets. Artists include Carrie Krause (violin), Maureen Murchie (viola), Michael Unterman (cello), and other accomplished musical artists. Free admission.
July
11
2026
EcoCritters with ZooMontana
Jul 11 / 10:00am–2:00pm
Staff from the Billings Zoo will bring a variety of live animals and other bizarre critters to Lewistown during this fun and educational event for kids and adults!
July
15
2026
Montana Chamber Music presents Franz Shubert’s “Trout” Quintet
Jul 15 / 7:00pm
Montana Chamber Music comes to Lewistown to perform Franz Shubert’s “Trout” Piano Quintet, featuring acclaimed musical artists Angella Ahn, Michele Levin, Peter Zazofsky, Sara Stainaker, Zachary Cohen, and David Harding. Free admission.
August
14
2026
Women on Fire!
Aug 14 / 7:00pm
This unique and informative presentation will feature three women who fought (and currently fight) wildfires in various parts of the United States. Each firefighter (including a former smokejumper) will discuss their specific duties, present exciting images taken on the job, and offer insights into this dangerous, but rewarding profession. A panel discussion and audience Q&A follows the individual presentations. Free admission.
August
29
2026
EcoCritters with ZooMontana
Aug 29 / 10:00am–2:00pm
Staff from the Billings Zoo will bring a variety of live animals and other bizarre critters to Lewistown during this fun and educational event for kids and adults!
September
12
2026
EcoCritters with ZooMontana
Sep 12 / 10:00am–2:00pm
As part of the Annual Chokecherry Festival, staff from ZooMontana in Billings will bring a variety of live animals and other bizarre critters to Lewistown during this fun and educational event for kids and adults. Live 30-minute animal presentations at 11am and 1 pm.
September
19
2026
Second Annual American Prairie Ferret Fest
Sep 19
American Prairie presents its second annual festival celebrating the black-footed ferret, a species once believed to be extinct. Black-footed ferrets historically lived throughout the North American Great Plains and are now making a slow come back with the help of federal and state governments, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and private citizens. The event features presentations by ferret experts, fun ferret-related activities for kids, give aways, photo opportunities, and more! Free admission.
October
22
2026
A Journey to the Kazakh Steppe with Scott Heidebrink
Oct 22 / 7:00pm
Scott Heidebrink, American Prairie’s Director of Landscape Stewardship, takes the audience on a journey to the vast steppe of Kazakhstan, the world’s largest continuous grassland biome. During a recent visit to that faraway region, Heidebrink explored the vast prairie landscape, touring projects aimed at ecological restoration. He also learned a great amount about the local cultures and people. Scott’s presentation will feature plenty of stories and photographs from this environmentally significant part of Earth. Free admission.
November
7
2026
First Light: An Exhibition of the Works of John Isaiah Pepion
Nov 7, 2026–Mar 30, 2027 / 1:00pm
American Prairie is pleased to present First Light, an art exhibit by renowned Blackfeet artist John Isaiah Pepion at the National Discovery Center in Lewistown. The exhibition opens on November 7, 2026, and continues through March 30, 2027. The opening begins with an Artist Talk by Mr. Pepion at 1 pm and features many of his original works. Admission is free.