Montana Cowboy Hall Of Fame Celebrates 2025 Inductees
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame honored its newest and 17th class of inductees during the MCHF Annual Induction Ceremony & Western Heritage Gathering Feb. 7-8 at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls.
Nearly 600 people attended the weekend’s events. On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Hall of Fame welcomed 23 new inductees during the morning recognition ceremony and brunch. MCHF Board Directors KellyAnne Terry of Lewistown and Mike Gurnett of Helena served as emcees. The Great Falls Police Department Honor Guard presented the flags, GFPD Officer Aaron McAdam sang the national anthem, and Brittany Jansen offered the invocation.
“It was wonderful to see family and friends gathered in Great Falls from across the great state of Montana, Alaska to Texas, and Hawaii to Arkansas,” said Christy Stensland, MCHF executive director. “Attendees enjoyed the Montana history lesson contained in the varied inductee stories. Many were grateful for the family reunion opportunity.”
Full bios and photographs of the inductees are available on the MCHF’s website http://montanacowboyfame. org and a recording of the induction ceremony is available on the MCHF’s Facebook page.
MCHF board, district trustees and members met for the organization’s annual business meeting and trustee gathering.
Dinner, dancing, and auctions at the Cowboy Ball rounded out the evening. The local Big Sky Country band provided the music and auctioneer Robert Toavs, of Toavs Premiere Auctions in Wolf Point, raised nearly $15,000 during the spirited live auction. The silent auction with a variety of beautiful western-themed items brought in $5,000.
The Almost Home Jay Contway MCHF fundraiser bronze found its new home in Stockett, with the second- place winner donating their $500 winnings back to the MCHF; the third-place winner received $250 in the drawing.
During the weekend’s events, guests were invited to a special author talk and book signing, The Last Ride of the Pony Express: My 2,000-Mile Journey into the Old West by Will Grant, and to visit the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Hands-On Gallery “Tales From The Saddle: Come Ride Along” located at the C. M. Russell Museum.
“We deeply value our partnership with the MCHF and are honored to be home to the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Gallery,” noted Chris Warden, executive director of the C. M. Russell Museum.
“We are honored to be partnered with the C.M. Russell Museum in this important mission of ‘Advancing the spirit of the American West through the soundtrack of those who provided a canvas for Charlie’s brush’,” said MCHF President DuWayne Wilson. “The MCHF offers the public an opportunity to learn about the lives of those who have impacted Montana’s heritage — those whose stories may otherwise go unnoticed.”
Learn more about the nomination process by visiting the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame booth where they are partnered with Jay Contway Legacy Art located at The Great Western Show during Western Art Week March 20–23.
To nominate an individual, ranch, western organization, or other for 2026, contact the MCHF Field Office at 406653-3800 for inductee nomination guidelines and information, or visit their website, www.montanacowboyfame. org. Nominations opened March 1 and will close July 25.
