Montana State University Northern – Hagener Museum of the Northern Montana Plains Indians

The Louis and Antoinette Haegner Museum of the North Montana Plains Indian houses many original Native American artifacts in Havre, MT. The artifacts come from multiple Montana tribes including the Blackfeet, Cree, Plains Ojibway, Assiniboine, Metis, Northern Cheyenne, Mandan, Arikara, and Sioux. These artifacts are diverse not only in origin, but also in functionality, ranging from an everyday leather dress to a rare painted elk hide tipi liner. The availability and maintenance of these artifacts provide an invaluable resource for the study of Montana’s history and its original peoples.

The History Foundation funded Montana State University Northern to administer conservation treatment for artifacts that are in immediate need of treatment. Treatments include mitigating the active corrosion of metals; repairing damaged feathers and furs; and securing damaged beadwork, quillwork, and leather.