Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Announced 19th Inductees
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center has named its latest class of inductees representing across the state.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Rodeo
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The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center has officially announced its 19th class of inductees. These individuals are honored for their significant contributions to the history and culture of the state.
Why it matters
The induction recognizes those who have shaped Montana history and cowboy culture, preserving the heritage of the American West. The process ensures that representatives from across all 12 of the state's trustee districts receive recognition.
The organization operates across 12 designated trustee districts in Montana. The board consists of up to 20 appointed trustees who manage the nominations.
The players
Steven George Gruel
He is the selected living inductee for District 5.
Hilary Fulton Gollehon
She is the selected legacy inductee for District 5.
Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center
This organization preserves and promotes the cowboy culture and history of Montana through its hall of fame inductions.
The details
The board selects inductees by having trustees vote on nominations submitted by the public from each specific district. Each of the 12 districts is permitted one living inductee and one legacy inductee for their annual class.
Timeline
The 2027 induction class was announced in 2026.
The annual induction ceremony is scheduled for February 13, 2027.
Season Trajectory
The selection process reflects a broader commitment to regional history by requiring representation from each of Montana's 12 trustee districts. This structure prevents the concentration of awards in any single area and ensures the Hall of Fame maintains a balanced geographic record of the state.
Residents in District 5 can expect local recognition for Steven George Gruel and Hilary Fulton Gollehon as part of the state-wide honors. The public can view the full updated roster of inductees on the official organization website following the ceremony.
The takeaway
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame reinforces the importance of preserving local history through its structured district-based nomination process. Readers interested in western heritage can participate by submitting future nominations for candidates in their respective regions.
What happens next
The organization will host the Annual Induction Ceremony and Western Heritage Gathering in Great Falls on February 13, 2027.
Further reading
For more on the traditions and history of the region, visit Montana Rodeo.
More information
Access more information on the class of 2027 and future events via the MCHF & WHC website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Choteau Acantha.
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