The Brother Van House Museum in Great Falls was created to remember the life of William Wesley Van Orsdell, more fondly known as Brother Van. Tours of the home where he lived and the stories of his life as he fulfilled the responsibilities of a Methodist circuit rider are shared with visitors.
Brother Van came to Montana on the steamboat, Far West, in 1872 and spent those first years in southwest Montana, where the majority of the territory’s population had settled. Later in his career, he lived and worked in north central Montana, making Great Falls his headquarters. Exuding an innate love for people, Brother Van soon became well known throughout the state. By the end of his life, he had inspired the building of a hundred churches, seven hospitals, a college, and a children’s home. At his death, the flag at the capitol was flown at half-staff, which was most unusual because at that time the flag was lowered in memory of only military and governmental officials.
To tell the Brother Van story, which was slowly being forgotten, members of the Brother Van Experience Committee began shaping the historic Methodist parsonage into a house museum around 2002. Since then, the house museum has slowly taken on the look of 1910 decor when the house was built, with a refinished room containing actual furniture owned by Brother Van as well as rooms of antiques representing the Victorian era.
Although not finished during those ensuing years, the house has been shown on tours during an open house on July afternoons and through private tours throughout the year. During the 2024 Christmas season, the house was decorated in a holiday Victorian theme for a special open house. One hundred-fifty individuals turned out for that occasion.
Over the years that Brother Van was serving Montana, projects would be presented to the statewide pastors and lay leaders of the Methodist Church. Often a project, such as starting a college so that children wouldn’t have to leave the state to attain a post-secondary education, would seem insurmountable. Members of the group would respond to a proposal by saying, “How could we possibly do such a thing?” Brother Van would answer them by saying, “How could we possibly not do such a thing?….we must not let this opportunity for service pass us by.” His positive outlook and his statewide accomplishments are good reasons for continuing to celebrate his life and work today.
The Brother Van House Museum at 113 Sixth Street North, will be celebrating the turning of leaves and cooler weather with a Harvest Time Open House on Sunday, October 19, from 1– 4 p.m. The house will be decorated with an autumn motif, refreshments will be served, tours will be given—especially of the newly decorated bedroom, pump organ music will be played, and drawings for pumpkins and ornamental gourds will be held. Plan to attend and enjoy the fun. You will find parking available in the First United Methodist Church parking lot.
By Suzanne Waring: October 1, 2025 – Great Falls, Mt
Author: Staff
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