About Us
History
After working as a miner in Montana, WB Thompson made his mark on Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, purchasing and forming mining companies across the west. A self-made millionaire, WB Thompson did a lot of philanthropy work during his lifetime. In 1918, he decided to build a library and museum in his hometown of Virginia City, Montana. He named it the Thompson-Hickman Memorial Building, in honor of his father, William Thompson, and his wife's father, Richard Hickman, who were both prominent businessmen in Virginia City during their lifetimes. Once completed, WB Thompson willed the building and the surrounding properties to Madison County, with the stipulation that the building continue to function as a reader room (library) and historical museum, or the ownership of the properties will revert back to his family heirs. Due to WB Thompson's generous gift, the Thompson-Hickman Madison County Library and the Museum have had a permanent home for the last 100 years.
Visit Us
We are more than a foot, cats and cakes! Visit and see the first Montana Territory cannon, mining and homesteading essentials, Chinese artifacts, minerals, Frontier firearms and more.
Located in a beautiful stone building on the East end of town at 220 Wallace St, lower level
The Thompson-Hickman Museum is run by the Vigilance Club of Virginia City comprised of local volunteers