Copper Village was founded in 1971 to fill a cultural gap in a semi-rural area with a variety of quality programs serving diversified audience.

In 1971 Sister Joeann Daley, a high school art teacher, led the project for a cultural center and made it her master of arts thesis topic. Together sister Joeann and Anaconda residents formed the Copper Village Museum and Arts Center. Funding provided by the county and the Montana Arts Council, professional guidance from a Billings architect and Director of a Bozeman art gallery, and help from over two hundred volunteers turned an abandoned building into a first class art gallery.

While promising to tell the story of Deer Lodge County history, the Copper Village first had no museum collection. Montana Historical Society personnel and Copper Village staff and volunteers conducted research, began collecting historic objects that were needed, and developed the museum.

Copper Village Museum and Art Center moved into the City Hall Center in 1988. A need for more room and the challenge to help preserve a piece of history was the major factors in the move.

Copper Village successfully produces special events which have grown to be recognized nationally. We are still expanding our programs with great success and continuing out renovation of the City Hall Center.