The Western Heritage Center houses the history of crime in Billings

BILLINGS — The Western Heritage Center’s “Criminal Behavior” exhibit, which examines 24 aspects of crime, will remain open through June 2025.

“These are real people. These murders represent real events and real struggles within our community,” said Lauren Hunley, community historian at the Western Heritage Center.

The display includes stories like that of William Heffner, a prominent Billings businessman in the early 1900s, who tried to poison his family by putting strychnine in sugar.

“The Heffner case is actually presented in this exhibit in part to help tell the story of the investigation,” Hunley said.

“Criminal Behavior” opened in July and has already seen more than 500 visitors.

“We hope people walk away with a better understanding of the justice system,” Hunley said, “We hope people walk away with a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities within that system.”