Kingsley History Project

The Kingsley History Project preserves local heritage and brings people together to honor the rich history of Broadus and Powder River County. Their community-driven historic site, archives, and educational exhibits provide the space to connect, research, reflect, and celebrate rural Montana life. The Kingsley History Project started as a grassroots effort to collect regional stories and artifacts, growing into a dedicated effort to ensure eastern Montana’s frontier heritage remains vibrant and accessible to all.

Today, they still document the lives of early homesteaders, ranchers, and Indigenous communities in southeastern Montana. Local residents and visitors explore preserved historic structures, research family histories in community archives, and engage in hands-on preservation efforts.

The Kingsley History Project Website

Description tThe Kingsley History Project preserves local heritage in Broadus and Powder River County by honoring the multi-layered history of Southeastern Montana. Situated on ancestral lands tied to the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Nations, the site actively documents the lives of early homesteaders, ranchers, and Indigenous communities. Rather than focusing solely on pioneer history, the Project provides a collaborative space to research, reflect, and celebrate the interconnected stories, traditional land uses, and deep cultural heritage of the region.

For visiting artists, this inclusive historical focus provides a compelling foundation for creative practice, public art, and site-specific research. The Project’s emphasis on community engagement and cross-cultural storytelling offers residency participants unique opportunities to explore themes of land, memory, and shared history in partnership with local residents and regional networks.

While in residence at The Kingsley History Project, artists will have access to the following:

• Studio space in a newly remodeled metal building, once part of the historic "Bogner Brothers Garage.” This 60 x 60 building has been refurbished with new windows, walls, and a ceiling. The site is close to the Broadus Corner Store, where refreshments and restrooms are available.

The Kingsley History Project is located at 106 W Holt St, Broadus, Montana 59317, a rural community in Southeastern Montana. (pop. ~450)

Broadus features essential amenities, including a local grocery store, pharmacy, gas stations, cafes, and the Powder River Historical Museum. The studio is located adjacent to the Broadus Corner Store.

It is 75 miles (approximately a 1-hour 15-minute drive via MT-59) from Miles City, the closest regional hub for larger grocery stores, regional airport services, medical facilities, and additional amenities.

Housing will be provided for the artist (and their family, if applicable) for the entire duration of the project. Board members of the Kingsley History Project will help host a community gathering upon the artist’s arrival and will actively reach out to community groups to help the artist connect with as many local residents as possible during your stay.

In addition to an artist presentation, the artist will have the opportunity to connect with the local community and visitors by leading a workshop, collaborating with area youth through school art clubs, and sharing their creative process with tourists and county residents.

• READ ADDITIONAL FAQ’s document

• Open AIR is committed to accessibility. If the application process or fee poses a barrier,  please reach out to Rachel at program@openairmt.org