Where History Meets Modern Elegance

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Billings, The Paper Mill breathes new life into a space deeply rooted in Montana’s rich past. Formerly home to the Western Newspaper Union and later the Carpenter Paper Company, this iconic building has witnessed over a century of transformation. From its humble beginnings to its evolution as a premier event center, The Paper Mill is a testament to innovation and enduring legacy.

Today, The Paper Mill honors this history, combining the industrial charm of its origins with modern amenities to create a unique venue for weddings, concerts, trade shows, and other memorable events. Whether you’re drawn to its rich heritage or its unmatched versatility, The Paper Mill offers a one-of-a-kind setting that bridges the past and present, providing the perfect backdrop for life’s most important moments.

Our History

A Legacy of Innovation and Community

Access to three transcontinental railroads and a booming rural population attracted Omaha, Nebraska-based Western Newspaper Union (WNU) to build this reinforced concrete and brick warehouse in 1917. Local architect Curtis Oehme designed the Western Commercial style building, which features multicolored brick, recessed brick panels, and diamond-shaped inlays on the vertical pilasters. In the late 1890s, Western Newspaper Union revolutionized rural journalism by supplying “ready-print” to small local newspapers with limited equipment and workers. Ready-print plates were premade newspaper printing plates containing national and international news, fiction, photographs, and advertisements. Rural weekly newspapers subscribed to the service, which allowed them to offer a wider variety of inside page content. In the 1920s, WNU supplied plates to about seventy-five papers in Montana and Wyoming.

In 1922, WNU added an east-side addition and merged their paper stocks with the Carpenter Paper Company. Six Carpenter brothers had started the business in 1887 in a remodeled livery stable in Des Moines, Iowa. By 1900, they grew it into one of the nation’s largest paper suppliers. The company moved to Omaha in 1907 and expanded to Billings in 1917. By 1929, Carpenter had added many new salesmen and warehouse workers and branched into flooring products and Victrola record players. That year, the company purchased the building from WNU, which remained a tenant until 1940. In 1951 Carpenter added a thirty-five-thousand square-foot warehouse addition designed by Cushing & Terrell. The Carpenter Paper Company continued to provide wholesale paper products to eastern Montana and northern Wyoming until 1996.

Our Mission

To create unforgettable experiences by blending historic charm with modern amenities in a space that celebrates Montana’s rich heritage.

What We Offer

  • Historic Venue: Experience the charm of an industrial space with over a century of history.
  • Versatile Spaces: Multiple rooms and layouts tailored to any event, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations.
  • Modern Amenities: State-of-the-art facilities and customizable packages to suit your needs.
  • Prime Location: Situated in the vibrant downtown Billings, with easy access to hotels, dining, and transportation.