The Schlechten Collection - The Schlechten Collection contains over 10,000 images and features the work of three photographers spanning two generations. Beginning in 1900 the Schlechten brothers, Alfred and Albert, established a photo studio in Bozeman, Montana. The studio business was continued by Alfred's son Chris following World War II until his death in the late 1970s. The museum purchased the collection from the Schlechten family in 1980.
The Ron V. Nixon Collection - The Ron Nixon Collection contains over 20,000 images recording the history of the Northern Pacific Railway. From his first photograph in 1916, Ron's knowledge of railroad and locomotive history surpassed only by his passion for railroad photography. The collection he created throughout his life features the Northern Pacific Railway with it's numerous branch and spur lines as well as a significant collection documenting the Milwaukee and Great Northern railroads. The collection was purchased by the museum from the Nixon family in 1993.
The John C. Haberstroh Collection - The Haberstroh Collection documents the Harvat Ranch in Montana's Paradise Valley, one of the largest sheep ranching operations in southwest Montana. From 1915 to the 1950s, John Haberstroh photographed all aspects of the ranch including the sheep hearders, shearing, lambing, and the yearly move to summer pasture. Haberstroh's efforts produced a collection of over 900 original negatives of exceptional aesthetic and technical quality. The collection was donated to the museum in 1987.
The Maurice Lamme Collection - The Lamme Collection contains a series of over 300 original 5x7 inch glass plate negatives take between 1897 and 1910 by Maurice Allison Lamme. Maurice was the grandson of Achilles Lamme, an early pioneer and Bozeman merchant. The earliest images where taken when Maurice was only sixteen years old. The collection presents a rare view of the people and locales of Bozeman, Montana at the turn of the century. A traveling exhibition entitled "The Good Life" of over 50 selected images was produced by the Photo Archive in the 1980s.
The Elsa Spear Byron Collection - The collection is a selection of photographs by Elsa Spear Byron, a noted Sheridan, Wyoming photographer. In 1985, Elsa worked with the photo curator and museum staff to create an exhibition of her photographs documenting the Crow tribe. The resulting exhibition entitled "Crow Celebrations," has traveled to selected Montana galleries and museums. The photo archive collections consists of copy negatives made from Elsa's original negatives added to the archive collections with her cooperation.
The McGill Collection - The McGill Collection was established by the museum's founder Dr. Caroline McGill. Beginning in 1957, Dr. McGill began to actively collect significant photographic images representing history of Montana and Northern Rockies region. This collection provided the core of a photo archive collection that has grown to become one of best in the region. Collection strengths include agriculture, transportation, and Yellowstone National Park.
