SigMT

Where Dinosaurs, Vintage Cars and Local History Abound THE RUDYARD DEPOT MUSEUM: ucked away in the close-knit community of Rudyard lies a relatively unknown, but stunningly extensive museum complex jam-packed with more local relics than one could ever hope to see in a single visit. e eight-building Rudyard Depot Museum is an out-of-the- way gem bursting with a wide array of treasures, including vintage automobiles, a furnished homestead, and a stunning display of dinosaur fossils. R U D Y A R D M O N T A N A SiG MT 37 SiG MT 15 TEXT BY HOLLY MATKIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY NIKKI GILBERT NEIGHBORHOODS 25 4th Avenue Southwest, Rudyard, MT URBAN AFFAIRS Essentially everything showcased at the museum came from the area and is woven into the history of the Hi-Line. Visitors are invited to look through scrapbooks and genealogical records in the museum's Paper House, or to check out the history of the Hi-Line's schools in the old Schoolhouse Building. Marvel at the technological advancements in agriculture as you wander through the restored equipment in the Farm Building, and don't forget to stop by the fully-outfied Blacksmith's Shop. e museum complex was created by the Rudyard community in the mid-1990s, and continues to operate through the work of local volunteers. It is truly a community effort. "ey put their heart and soul into this," says Lila Redding, who has been involved in helping to operate the museum since approximately 2004. "It's a community museum. Everybody just kind of pitches in." Paleontologists have been unearthing dinosaurs on Lila's Rudyard-area farm since 1980, to include a fully-articulated Gryposaurus that is now part of the museum's Dinosaur Hall. In fact, almost all of the dinosaur specimens on display at the museum either came from the Reddings' farm or are related to prehistoric creatures who lived in the area. Approximately 1,000 visitors tour the museum buildings each year. It is also a stop along the Dinosaur Trail. "Everybody just laughs when they pull up here and say they can't believe we have so much here for such a small town!" Lila says. Entry to the museum is free of charge, although free-will donations are greatly appreciated and enable the community's volunteers to keep the complex in operation. e Rudyard Depot Museum is open Monday through Saturday om 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. om Memorial Day through Labor Day, and by appointment during the rest of the year. Phone: 355-4356 T With this much to see, you might have to plan a second trip! Lila Redding is one of many Rudyard volunteers who make the museum's operation possible. This showroom-quality farm machinery was restored by local residents.

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