Billings Preservation Society Inc
About Billings Preservation Society Inc
Billings Preservation Society keeps the Moss Mansion Historic House Museum open in Billings, where visitors can see a turn-of-the-century home that still carries the marks of the family who lived there. That means tours, school visits, exhibits, events, and private rentals all support the same work, preserving a place that helps people understand local history in a very direct way. With about 10,500 tour attendees a year and more than 1,500 children in guided school tours, the mansion is not just being saved, it is being used. For donors, that is the appeal: your support helps keep a real historic house functioning as a museum for the community and future generations.
What sets this apart is the house itself. The Moss Mansion still contains original fixtures, furnishings, textiles, and family papers, so the preservation work is not abstract, it is happening around objects and rooms that still hold the story of the place. The organization also keeps that story active through tours, education programs, volunteer service, and private rentals.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Historic house tours
Self-paced, guided, group, and specialty tours of the Moss Mansion Historic House Museum.
School tours
Museum visits for students, including guided tours and self-guided scavenger hunts.
Youth volunteer program
A program for middle-school students to learn how museums engage guests, prepare exhibits, and preserve history.
Summer camps
Week-long and day camps that mix history, STEM, imagination, and exploration.
Seasonal exhibits
Special exhibits featuring artifacts, family materials, and curated collections from the mansion.
Private event rentals
Venue bookings for weddings, private meetings, parties, and photo sessions.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
The Billings Preservation Society administers, operates, maintains, and restores the Moss Mansion Historic House Museum to inspire, educate, and facilitate historical and cultural preservation activities for the community and future generations.
Who they serve
Billings-area residents, students, families, visitors, volunteers, and people interested in historic and cultural preservation.
Their impact
- Approximately 10,500 people attend tours annually.
- More than 1,500 children take part in guided school tours each year.
How your donation helps
- Daily operations of the museum
- Heating the mansion and watering the grounds
- Roof repairs, wiring corrections, and refinishing wood floors
- Preservation of the historic structure, artifacts, furnishings, and textiles
- Printing, materials, and display costs for special exhibits
- Endowment support for operational funding
Our story
The Billings Preservation Society formed to administer, operate, maintain, and restore the Moss Mansion Historic House Museum. In 1986, it obtained possession of the Moss home through a lease agreement with the family and a separate option agreement, and later became the local organization responsible for preserving and interpreting the mansion for the community.
In their words
"A wonderful place to visit. If you have the time go. Just go." Glenn Stump, August 29, 2020.
Events
SpringFest
annualAn annual juried art festival on the Moss grounds featuring regional artists, food, live music, demonstrations, and children’s activities.
Party for Preservation
annualA major fundraiser with cocktails, a silent auction, art sales, dinner, and entertainment.
Christmas at the Moss
annualA holiday season event featuring decorated trees, themed displays, tours, and voting for favorite trees.
Trunks & Treasures
monthlyA behind-the-scenes tour led by a site historian that explores areas and artifacts not seen on regular tours.
Ghost Tours
seasonalSeasonal specialty tours offered at the mansion.
Summer Tea Party
seasonalA seasonal event with tea, snacks, garden views, and museum admission.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Billings Preservation Society Inc has shared.
Current needs
- Support for daily operations and preservation work
- Funding for deferred maintenance projects
- Donations for exhibit printing, materials, and display costs
Volunteer opportunities
- Docent
- Host
- Visitor service volunteer
- Archives and collections volunteer
- Event volunteer
- Garden volunteer
- Seasonal volunteer
- High school volunteer and internship program
- Youth volunteer program
Recognition & press
In the media
- Reader's Digest, Great American Homes
- A&E Network, America's Castles: The Great Frontier
- National Geographic Guide to America’s Great Houses
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What kinds of tours are available at the Moss Mansion?
You can visit through self-paced tours, guided tours, specialty tours like Trunks & Treasures, and seasonal ghost tours.
How do school tours work?
School tours are offered at a reduced rate of $5 per student, teacher, or chaperone, and they need to be scheduled at least a week in advance. Schools can choose a guided tour or a self-guided scavenger hunt.
What volunteer roles are available?
Volunteer opportunities include docent, host, visitor service, archives and collections, event, garden, seasonal, high school volunteer and internship, and youth volunteer roles.
What can private rentals be used for?
The mansion can be booked for weddings, private meetings, parties, and photo sessions.