Special Events & Exhibits
CARTER COUNTY MUSEUM, EKALAKA, MT
Special Exhibits and Events
Check out this page for changing exhibits and special events at the Carter County Museum.
WEdnesdays, Feb. 4, 11, & 18 @ 6-8 p.m.
Reimagining Rural
Free Admission
Organized and hosted by the MSU Extension Community Vitality Program in partnership with the Montana Community Foundation, Reimagining Rural is a highly successful series designed to help communities build local capacity. The program encourages residents to increase their knowledge and awareness of resources available to rural towns, gain a better understanding of what’s happening across rural Montana, strengthen local and regional relationships, and inspire people to dream big and take action.
Each session features presentations from rural experts, inspiring success stories from Montana communities, and dedicated time for local conversations. At the conclusion of the series, participating towns may be eligible to apply for Montana Community Foundation grants to support community projects and next steps.
Local Participation Details:
Each session is co-hosted by Carter County Extension and will be held at Carter County Museum, 306 N Main Street, Ekalaka, MT 59324. All sessions are free and open to the public. Prior to each event, we will have the opportunity for community members to attend special social hour programs from 5 - 5:45 p.m.:
Wednesday, February 4 -- Mental Wellness Conversations
Join Amanda Williams, certified facilitator, as she shares evidence-based stress management tools through an informal, judgement-free conversation. Participants will use a standard deck of playing cards to introduce thirteen different topics, their role in mental wellness, and practical tips.
Wednesday, February 11 -- Carter County Museum Renovation & Expansion Design
Join museum staff, Cushing Terrell and community coordinator Marcell Bruski to learn more about the Carter County Museum’s upcoming expansion and renovation. Following the overview, participants will engage in a facilitated discussion focused on gathering community perspectives. Small-group conversations will allow participants to respond to targeted questions, followed by report-outs to the larger group. Feedback collected during these sessions will directly inform design decisions, programming considerations, and how the project integrates into Main Street and the broader community.
Wednesday, February 18 -- Dahl Memorial Healthcare Community Needs Assessment Focus Group
Join us at Carter County Museum as Dahl Memorial leads a focused discussion as part of our 2026 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). We are seeking your direct input to help identify the right priorities for our facility and residents of Carter County.
Museum Design - Community Engagement Sessions
The museum design is currently under development, and community input will play an important role in guiding next steps for the renovation and expansion of the Carter County Museum. Please join our architect team from Cushing Terrell for a community workshop designed to bring local voices together in an open, collaborative setting. Residents of all ages are welcome to attend and be part of the conversation. Your voice matters—join us and help shape what comes next.
We are offering two location options:
Ekalaka
Wednesday, February 11 from 5:00 - 5:45 p.m.
Thursday, February 12 from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Located at Carter County Museum
Alzada
Thursday, February 12 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Located at Alzada Community Hall
THURSDAY, March 5, 2026 AT 7 P.M.
Fifty-Six Counties with Author, Radio Host Russell Rowland
Free Admission
Russell Rowland has published five novels, three of which are based in Carter County, as well as the non-fiction book Fifty-Six Counties: A Montana Journey, which is his account of his travels to every county in Montana. He has spent the last several years hosting an interview program on NPR, also called Fifty-Six Counties, where he interviews Montanans about how this state has shaped them, and what they are doing to shape Montana. A book signing will follow the program.
Note: Montana Teachers can receive up to 1 hour continuing education/professional development credits for attending this free program.