About the National Discovery Center
Two of the core tenants 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
Upcoming Events
April
12
2025
Eco-Critters with ZooMontana
Apr 12 / 10:00am–4:00pm
Zoo Montana, in partnership with American Prairie, will bring a variety of live animal ambassadors from Montana and around the world to Lewistown and the National Discovery Center. Visitors get a close-up view of the critters and learn about them from Zoo Montana staff. Educational stations showcase skeletons, hides, and other exciting features related to the animal guests! Free admission.
April
25
2025
The John Lowell Duo
Apr 25 / 7:00pm
Award-winning singer-songwriter John Lowell teams with Joanne Gardner Lowell to perform a number of country and folk songs at the National Discovery Center. John, honored with the 2024 Montana Governor’s Award, also won the International Western Music Association’s 2024 Album of the Year Award for Snow on the Wineglass, and was named Songwriter of the Year! Joanne has performed on stage with the likes of Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill. Free admission.
May
3
2025
Bison bison: An Inside Look
May 3–Dec 27
This temporary exhibit will feature “Ernie,” a very unique taxidermied bison owned by Don “Doc” Woerner. “Ernie” is a unique specimen: on one side, viewers will observe a normal taxidermy, while the other side provides a look at the bison’s complete skeleton! Ernie is one of a kind and will be displayed with supporting educational materials in the National Discovery Center!
May
17
2025
Montana Stories and How They Shape Our Lives
May 17 / 1:00pm
In this 90-minute hands-on workshop from Humanities Montana, facilitator and anthropologist Sally Thompson shares her treasure trove of primary documents from Montana history to facilitate more nuanced and respectful understandings than are commonly held. We will explore short historical narratives, artwork, and maps, from places we know, with an eye toward understanding how our viewpoints have been shaped by those who have controlled the pen. In small groups, participants will discuss perceptions and work together to tell the story from a different point of view to be shared with the whole group. The mode of expression will be at the discretion of each group. Thompson is an experienced workshop leader whose career in the Rocky Mountains and American Southwest has spanned more than four decades. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and has worked as an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, educator, filmmaker, and tribal consultant and collaborator. Her 2015 book, "People Before the Park" (Montana Historical Society), was a collaboration with the Kootenai Culture Committee and the Pikunni Traditionalist Association of the Blackfeet Tribe. Thompson published two new books in 2024: "Disturbing the Sleeping Buffalo: 23 Unexpected Stories that Awaken Montana’s Past" (Farcountry Press) and "Black Robes Enter Coyote’s World" (Bison Books, University of Nebraska Press). Free admission.
June
7
2025
Eco-Critters with ZooMontana
Jun 7 / 10:00am–4:00pm
Zoo Montana, in partnership with American Prairie, will bring a variety of live animal ambassadors from Montana and around the world to Lewistown and the National Discovery Center. Visitors get a close-up view of the critters and learn about them from Zoo Montana staff. Educational stations showcase skeletons, hides, and other exciting features related to the animal guests! Free admission.
June
16
2025
Bumble Bee Ecology, Conservation, and Community Science through the Bumble Bee Atlas
Jun 16 / 7:00pm
Michelle Toshack, a Conservation Biologist with the Montana Bumblebee Atlas will present on the the ecology of bumble bees, including their life cycle, nesting habits, and unique adaptations. She will also discuss the major threats they face, and why species such as the western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis) and the Suckley cuckoo bumble bee (B. suckleyi) are of conservation concern. There are a number of actions that everyone can take to protect pollinators, including contributing data to The Montana Bumble Bee Atlas. Community science is a powerful tool for volunteers to support meaningful research and conservation. By working together, we can ensure Montana’s bumble bees—and the ecosystems they support—thrive for generations to come. PLEASE NOTE: This event will take place in the Labyrinth Community Garden in Frank Day Park.
June
18
2025
37 Million Years and Counting: A Brief History of Beavers
Jun 18 / 7:00pm
Frances Backhouse, environmental journalist and children's book author, will present her research on beavers: their history and current status, and the important ecological role they play. We'll share more details about this event soon! Free admission.
June
19
2025
Learn About Bison with Frances Backhouse
Jun 19 / 10:00am
During this program for children, environmental journalist and children's book author Frances Backhouse will talk about bison and the important ecological role they play. Backhouse is the author of "Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers," which teaches kids about this keystone species and celebrates North America’s largest land animal.
July
5
2025
Eco-Critters with ZooMontana
Jul 5 / 10:00am–4:00pm
Zoo Montana, in partnership with American Prairie, will bring a variety of live animal ambassadors from Montana and around the world to Lewistown and the National Discovery Center. Visitors get a close-up view of the critters and learn about them from Zoo Montana staff. Educational stations showcase skeletons, hides, and other exciting features related to the animal guests! Free admission.
August
9
2025
Eco-Critters with ZooMontana
Aug 9 / 10:00am–4:00pm
Zoo Montana, in partnership with American Prairie, will bring a variety of live animal ambassadors from Montana and around the world to Lewistown and the National Discovery Center. Visitors get a close-up view of the critters and learn about them from Zoo Montana staff. Educational stations showcase skeletons, hides, and other exciting features related to the animal guests! Free admission.