The Gallatin History Museum, located next to the Gallatin County Courthouse at 317 West Main, occupies the former county jail. Built in 1911, the building served as the jail until a new facility was built in 1982. Many features of the old jail have been preserved, including the gallows, isolation and holding cells, a visitors cell, a food pass-through from the adjoining sheriffs residence, and balcony railings that were once old cell bunks. Along with exhibits on the history of Gallatin County, it includes a historical research library, photo archives, and one of the largest collections of books on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Gallatin County Historical Society was organized in 1977, and on January 26, 1982, the day prisoners were moved to the new facility, the society took over the old jail, preserving and renovating the building.