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
6
2024
Parading Through History – The Apsáalooke Nation
Apr 6–Oct 1 / 9:00am
Traveling Exhibit at the National Discovery Center. This unique exhibit was developed, designed and created by a team of local Crow Indian scholars and artists with the intent of sharing the many traditions of the Apsáalooke people. The exhibit features fifteen large banners with historical and contemporary comments about the Apsáalooke Nation.
May
18
2024
Screening of the Film, “The Return of the Grizzly”
May 18 / 2:00pm
This 37-minute documentary examines the challenges facing the “explorer bear,” the pioneering young male grizzlies that originate from small, isolated core bear populations. The film is narrated by actor Jeff Bridges. Guest speakers at the National Discovery Center event will include wildlife filmmaker Maaike Middleton (who wrote and directed this film), Dr. Daniel Kinka, American Prairie’s Wildlife Restoration Manager, and author, filmmaker, and wildlife activist Doug Peacock, who is dedicated to grizzly bear recovery. Peacock is also co-founder of several conservation organizations, including Save the Yellowstone Grizzly.
May
25
2024
Montana’s Eagle Experience at the National Discovery Center
May 25 / 10:00am–4:00pm
Paul and Anne Schnell of Montana’s Eagle Experience/Institute for Environmental Learning will bring an array of live raptors to the National Discovery Center for a day-long educational and hands on program. Guests of all ages will be allowed to take part in raptor demonstrations and learn about kestrels, eagles, hawks, and other raptors.
June
1
2024
American Prairie presents ECO-Critters with ZooMontana
Jun 1 / 10:00am–4:00pm
ZooMontana staff bring live animal ambassadors to the National Discovery Center and offer educational information about prairie animals and other interesting critters from around the world!
June
11
2024
Tanner Jorden in Concert
Jun 11 / 7:00pm
Tanner Jorden, a young classical pianist who performed at Carnegie Hall at age thirteen, will return to Lewistown for a free public concert! From Billings and currently studying Piano Performance at Brigham Young University, Jorden won the International American Protégé Concerto Competition in 2018, the Runnicles Music Competition in 2021, and earned second place at the prestigious 2021 William Knabe International Piano Competition, which cemented his status as one of the best rising pianists in the world.
June
22
2024
In Celebration of the Black-Footed Ferret: An All-Day Event with Staff of the National Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center
Jun 22
Kimberly Fraser, Black-Footed Ferret Program Coordinator, and Justin Chuven, Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Program Coordinator, will conduct an NDC Speakers Series presentation about the history and status of the endangered black-footed ferrets, current efforts to save them from extinction, and what it takes to care for “Elizabeth Ann,” the world’s first cloned endangered animal. A live black-footed ferret will also be on hand for the public to meet! There will also be fun and educational ferret-related activities for the kids!
July
6
2024
American Prairie presents ECO-Critters with ZooMontana
Jul 6 / 10:00am–4:00pm
ZooMontana staff bring live animal ambassadors to the National Discovery Center and offer educational information about prairie animals and other interesting critters from around the world!
July
6
2024
Skakespeare in the Parks at Antelope Creek
Jul 6 / 6:30pm
The public is invited to a free performance of William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet at American Prairie’s Antelope Creek Campground! Hamlet is described as “the story of the young prince of Denmark who returns home following the sudden death of his father. The most famous ghost story ever told, Hamlet grapples with the weight of his responsibility to avenge his father’s death, to out-maneuver his traitorous uncle, and “to be, or not to be.” This is the 52nd season of performances for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks that, in 2024, will bring free live theatrical performances to 65 communities across five states, including Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, and Washington. This is also the theatrical company’s first performance at Antelope Creek Campground, a unique setting located just four miles north of the Missouri River on US Highway 191, not far from the Fred Robinson Bridge! Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, and liquid refreshments for this exciting performance under the stars!
July
13
2024
A Fresh Look at Montana’s Rock Art Utilizing New Technologies with Dr. Larry Loendorf
Jul 13 / 1:00pm
This Speaker Series event features renowned rock art authority and archaeologist Dr. Larry Loendorf, who offers Lewistown residents a “first look” at his exciting new rock art discoveries near Ryegate made possible using advanced technologies. Dr. Loendorf, part of the important Chauvet Cave (France) excavation team in 1994, earned his degrees from the University of Montana and University of Missouri. He is author of numerous scholarly articles and books and taught for two decades at the University of North Dakota. He is President of Sacred Sites Research, a nonprofit that records North American Indian pictograph and petroglyph sites and conducts associated research at traditional cultural properties such as vision quest areas, ceremonial caves, pigment sources, and ancient trails.
August
13
2024
Birds of the American Prairie with Andy Boyce
Aug 13 / 7:00pm
This Prairie LEKtures event will feature Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) Research Ecologist Andy Boyce and other guest experts who will present the latest information about the birds of Central Montana and the American Prairie.