Montana Tech, a division of the University of Montana [1], sits on a bench of Big Butte, the promontory just west of Uptown [2]. Established in 1900, the college specializes in teaching mineral science and other professional and technical curricula.
From the ramparts of the campus are great views over the city to the Continental Divide; a statue of 19th-century copper baron Marcus Daly shares the view from the university’s entrance on Park Avenue.
Visit the Mineral Museum (Main Hall, 406/496-4414, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily mid-June–mid-Sept., 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Fri. mid-Sept.–mid-June, free), where 1,500 mineral specimens, including a 27.5-ounce gold nugget found near Butte [3] in 1989, are displayed. In a separate darkened room is an interesting exhibit of fluorescent minerals.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/missoula-and-northwestern-montana/missoula/sights/university-montana
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/butte-helena-and-southwestern-montana/butte/sights/uptown
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/butte-helena-and-southwestern-montana/butte