Carter County Museum Awarded $1.25M State Tourism Grant

Funding will support major expansion of the museum, a leading destination on Montana's Dinosaur Trail.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:00am

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A heavily textured oil painting landscape depicting the Carter County Museum and surrounding natural scenery in muted earth tones, conceptually representing the museum's role as a gateway to the region's paleontological and historical heritage.A major expansion of the Carter County Museum, a leading destination on Montana's Dinosaur Trail, will enhance the visitor experience and support sustainable tourism growth in the region.Ekalaka Today

The Carter County Museum in Ekalaka, Montana has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from the Montana Department of Commerce to fund a major expansion of the facility. The grant, part of the state's new Tourism Development Grant Program, will allow the museum to nearly triple its current size, enhancing exhibition space, visitor amenities, and behind-the-scenes operations. The project aims to position the museum and Carter County as a premier destination along Montana's Dinosaur Trail.

Why it matters

The Carter County Museum is Montana's first county museum and a recognized leader in paleontology and regional history. The expansion will allow the museum to welcome more visitors from across Montana and around the country, fostering sustainable economic growth in the rural community of Ekalaka and the surrounding region.

The details

The $1.25 million grant, announced by the State of Montana, supports an initial two-year phase of the project, with the potential for up to $2.75 million in total funding over five years based on progress. The planned expansion will grow the Carter County Museum to approximately three times its current size, enhancing exhibition space, visitor amenities and behind-the-scenes museum operations.

  • The grant was awarded in April 2026.
  • Groundbreaking for the expansion is anticipated later in 2026.

The players

Montana Department of Commerce

The state agency that awarded the $1.25 million Tourism Development Grant to the Carter County Museum.

Dr. Sabre Moore

Executive Director of the Carter County Museum.

Carter County Museum

Montana's first county museum and a recognized leader in paleontology and regional history.

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What they’re saying

“Developing tourism in a sustainable and manageable manner boosts Montana's rural and under-visited communities by diversifying local economies, fostering community pride and creating tourism destinations that represent the qualities that make rural communities special.”

— Marta Bertoglio, Commerce Director

“This investment from the Montana Department of Commerce is transformative - not just for our museum, but for our entire region. We are preserving globally significant history right here in Ekalaka, and this grant helps ensure we can share that story at a scale that matches its importance. With expanded space and enhanced visitor experiences, we will be ready to welcome more visitors from across Montana and around the country.”

— Dr. Sabre Moore, Executive Director, Carter County Museum

What’s next

In the coming weeks, the Carter County Museum will publicly unveil final renderings of the new facility, offering a first look at the future of the museum. Groundbreaking is anticipated later this year.

The takeaway

This major investment in the Carter County Museum will transform the facility into a premier destination along Montana's Dinosaur Trail, boosting tourism and economic development in the rural community of Ekalaka and the surrounding region.