The Hockaday Museum of Art itself is housed in a stunning classical-revival-style building, originally erected as the town library in 1903. In addition to rotating exhibits, it has a special “Crown of the Continent” Gallery that features works from the permanent collection by well-known artists, including O.C. Seltzer, Ace Powell, Jeanne Hamilton, Gary Schultz, and more.

Our Mission

Our mission at the Hockaday Museum is to enrich the cultural life of our community and region, and preserve the artistic legacy of Montana and Glacier National Park.

Building History

The Hockaday Museum is housed in a turn-of-the-century Carnegie Library Building that is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. The nearly 125-year-old building, now wheelchair accessible, has undergone significant renovations to create a sophisticated museum setting while retaining the building’s historic beauty.

Museum History

In 1967, the Flathead Branch of the Montana Institute of the Arts explored the need for a community art center in the Flathead Valley. Area residents responded enthusiastically, and on February 10, 1969, the Flathead Valley Art Association opened the Hockaday Center for the Arts as a community art center in the Carnegie Library building.

The art center was named for Lakeside artist Hugh Hockaday (1892-1968), who moved to the Flathead Valley after a successful career as a commercial artist. In 1998, the Hockaday Center changed its name to the Hockaday Museum of Art to reflect its new focus as a collecting museum.