Historical Museum Guide for Wyoming

Wyoming History Museums

Housed in the Historic Ivinson Mansion, the museum offers guided tours.  Located at 603 E. Ivinson Avenue in Laramie, WY.

University of Wyoming American Heritage Center

[Gillette History]

Focused on the history of the Campbell County region of Wyoming.  Filled with Native American artifacts, fossils, carriages, and other historical items, admission to the museum is free.  Located at 900 W. 2nd Street in Gillette, WY.

Carbon County Museum of History

Devoted to the history of Carbon County history, the museum is open seasonally and features photos, newspapers, historical documents and more.  Located at the corner of 9th and Walnut in Rawlins, WY.

Grand Encampment Museum  

[History]

Over a dozen historical buildings provides visitors with a glimpse into the past of the Encampment Valley.  The area became important when copper was discovered there.  When the copper mines closed in 1908, much of this area became a ghost town.  The museum features the Lora Webb Nichols collection of over 24,000 photographs which give us a look at the history of this wild west area of the United States.  Located at 807 Barnett Encampment, WY.

Little Snake River Museum

Located in Savery, Wyoming, and housed in the historical Savery school building, the museum includes 9 historical structures including: the 1882 Strobridge House, the Blair Cabin, the Dutch Joe Schoolhouse and Jim Baker's Cabin.  Focus is on the history of the Snake River valley and it's people including Indians, mountain-men, trappers, gold seekers and the pioneers who settled in the valley to ranch and live.  Located in Savery, WY.

Medicine Bow Museum  [Medicine Bow History]

Old Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum

[Old Pen History]  [Inmate Profiles]

Visitors may take guided tours of the 1901 Wyoming Frontier Prison.  Located at 500 W. Walnut Street in Rawlins, WY.

Outlaw Stop

Housed in a log cabin that was formerly frequented by Butch Cassidy and his gang, the Outlaw Stop in Baggs depicts local history of the outlaws in the area.  Visitors will find a "combined" town hall, 2 cell jail, fire station and the Matthews/Gaddis house which was at times a residence and other times a "Road House" where the outlaws would gather.  There is a book store and picnic grounds on the property as well.  Located in Baggs, WY.

Fort Fetterman State Historic Site

Located just north of Douglas, WY, the fort was established in 1867 as a military post.  The fort played an important role in the ensuing Indian wars but was abandoned in 1882 when no longer needed.  Two restored buildings house the exhibits and artifacts of Fort Fetterman.  Living history presentations are offered during special events during the year.  Located off of Highway 93, north of Douglas, WY.

Crook County Museum and Art Gallery

Focus is on the research, exhibit and display of items related to the natural and social history of Crook County, Wyoming.  Located inside the Crook County Courthouse on the lower level in Sundance, WY.

Devils Tower National Monument

Riverton Museum

Housed inside the early 1916 Riverton Methodist Church building, the museum focuses on the local history of the 20th century homesteaders who settled in Riverton and brought life to this growing city.  Located at 700 Eastpark in Riverton, WY.

Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center

The center features tribal arts, treaty maps, historical documents and photographs related to the history of the Shoshone Tribe.  Located at 90 Ethete Road in Fort Washakie, WY.

South Pass City State Historic Site

Featuring 17 original structures which have been restored, visitors can pan for gold, watch the blacksmith at work, and walk the streets of South Pass City, a gold rush town which began with the boom in 1867.  This ghost town turned historic site has become one of the most accurately restored and authentic historic sites of the old west.

Wind River Heritage Center

Features collections of historical items from the Mountain Man era, wildlife exhibits and Native American arts and gifts.  Location is 412 E. Fremont Avenue in Riverton, WY.

Wind River Historical Center   [Archives]

Wind River Genealogy Project  

[Chief Washakie]  [History of Fort Washakie]

Fort Laramie National Historic Site  

[History]  [Directions]

Originally established in 1834 as a fur trading post, Fort Laramie was founded in 1849 when Fort John was purchased by the army they began to build the military outpost on the Oregon Trail.  Fort Laramie served as a command post for Indian conflict during the 1860s and 1870s.  Today, many of the fort buildings have been restored and refurnished.  They are open to visitors and it is an extremely interesting historic site.

Homesteaders Museum

The museum houses the written records and historical manuscripts, land claims, photographs and memorabilia of the homestead act period in Wyoming history.  Located at 2017 East A Street in Torrington, WY.

Dancing Bear Folk Center  (Please submit a link for this museum)

Hot Springs County Museum and Cultural Center

The museum complex includes a two story museum building, the 1919 Middleton Schoolhouse, an old train caboose and several outbuildings with outdoor exhibits.  Focused on the history of Hot Springs County, WY and featuring exhibits of Native American artifacts, an old log cabin and a large collection of photographs of Thermopolis and Hot Springs County.  Located at 700 Broadway in Thermopolis, WY.

Legend Rock Petroglyphs 

There are over 300 petroglyphs which span thousands of years.  Visitors are advised to visit Hot Springs State Park which is currently the administrator for this historical site.  The park is located at 538 N Park Street in Thermopolis, WY.

Old West Wax Museum  (need a link for this museum)

Through Western frontier historical dioramas with life-size wax figures, visitors will drift back to a time when men and women were as raw and untamed as the country they lived in.  The dioramas feature western heroes, outlaws, lawmen, cowboys, school marms, Indians, and mountain men.... all characters who tamed the wild wild west.  Located at 119 S. 6th Street in Thermopolis, WY.

Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum  

[History of Buildings]

The museum is focused on the late Jim Gatchell's vision of preserving the history of Johnson County, Wyoming.  The primary focus is on the frontier era.  Featuring collections of art, historical artifacts and the archives of documents, the primary focus is on the frontier era of history in the Powder River Country of Johnson County.  Location is 100 Fort Street in Buffalo, WY.

Occidental Historic Hotel   [Museum]

Take a step back in time when you stay in an authentic old west hotel where Butch Cassidy, The Sundance Kid, Calamity Jane and Buffalo Bill Cody once laid their heads to rest.  You will enjoy the 1908 Historic Saloon and dining in the Virginian Restaurant located in the Big Horn Mountains. 

10 North Main Street

Buffalo, WY 82834

(307) 684-0451

Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum

Cheyenne Historic Governor's Mansion

Built in 1904 and boasting beautiful sandstone columns, the Governor's Mansion served as home to Wyoming Governors until 1976 and was opened as a museum in 1977.  Located at 300 E. 21st Street in Cheyenne, WY.

Nelson Museum of the West   [Exhibits]

While the first idea for this museum was to feature some of the wildlife of the world, the museum also focuses on the Western Heritage  of Wyoming.  Located at 1714 Carey Avenue in Cheyenne, WY.

Warren AFB and Heritage Museum

Visitors will learn about the history of missiles and the 90th Space Wing along with a look in the lives of the men and women who were stationed at the post in early days.  Housed inside historic building 210 on F.E. Warren AFB just west of Cheyenne, WY.

Wyoming State Archives and History Museum

Wyoming State Museum

Fossil Butte National Monument

Visitors will discover some of the world's best preserved fossils in the flat-topped ridges of Wyoming's cold sagebrush desert.  Located 9 miles west of Kemmerer on US HWY 30.

Fossil Country Frontier Museum

The museum is focused on the natural history and culture of South Lincoln County and SW Wyoming.  Major exhibits include a replicated coal mine and mining equipment, early 1900s period dining room, the JC Penny Mother Store, bootlegging stills and presses and many artifacts and historical documents.  Located at 400 Pine Avenue in Kemmerer, WY.

J C Penney Homestead and Historical Foundation

The site of the first J.C. Penney's store in the United States, it features Penney's original homestead with some original furnishings and historical photos.  Located at 107 J. C. Penney Drive in Kemmerer, WY.

Fort Caspar Museum and Historic Site

Fort Caspar is a reconstructed 1865 military fort.  The museum features exhibits of prehistoric people, the Plains Indians, local ranching, and the energy industry.  Visitors will find much information on the western emigrant trails and the role of the army on the early frontier of Wyoming.  Located at 4001 Fort Caspar Rd. in Casper, WY.

National Historic Trails Interpretive Center  

Bureau of Land Management Wyoming

[Travel the Trails]  [Virtual Tour]

Buffalo Bill Historical Center  [Yellowstone country photo Gallery]

This is actually a complex of 5 museums. 

1.The Buffalo Bill Museum (PDF FILE) is focused on the life and times of Buffalo Bill Cody.

2. The Whitney Gallery of Western Art (PDF FILE) features American West artwork. 

3. The Plains Indian Museum (PDF FILE) tells the story of the Indian peoples of the plains.

4. The Cody Firearms Museum (PDF FILE) offers a large collection of antique firearms which includes many Winchester examples. 

5. The Draper Museum of Natural History (PDF FILE) provides insight into the natural history of the area rather than the Western history.  Located at 720 Sheridan Avenue in Cody, WY.

Meeteetse Bank Museum

Housed inside the historic bank building, the museum features artifacts from the Meeteetse Bank, the local cattle and sheep industries, Kirwin (the historic mining turned ghost town) and the Charles Belden western photography collection.  Located at 1003 Park Avenue in Meeteetse, WY.

Old Trail Town Museum of the Old West

Located on the original site of historic Cody, Wyoming, Old Trail Town features actual authentic Old West structures furnished with artifacts and antiques of the day.  Walk into a real saloon - complete with bullet holes - frequented by the "Hole in the Wall Gang". Stand inside the hideaway cabin used by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  View the home of Curley - General Custer's Crow Indian scout - and visit the grave of mountain man "Jeremiah Johnson".  Examine the countless settlers and Indian artifacts.  Get the feel of yesterday, a one-of-a-kind museum adventure for the entire family.  Located at 1831 Demaris Drive in Cody, Wyoming.

Tecumseh's Old West Miniature Village, Museum, Trading Post

Features a minature village which traces the history of Wyoming and Montana from the 1600s to the 1890s.  The museum features a large collection of western and Indian artifacts.  Located at 140 W. Yellowstone Avenue in Cody, WY.

Laramie Peak Museum   [Photos]

Filled with early household items, antiques and artifacts related to the history of the area, the museum is open seasonally.  Location is 1601 16th Street in Wheatland, WY.

Bradford Brinton Memorial, Museum, & Historic Ranch

Fort Phil Kearney State Historic Site   [History]

[Casualties of the Fetterman Fight at Fort Phil Kearney]

The historic site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Fort Phil Kearny, Fetterman Battlefield, Connor Battlefield, Crazy Woman Battle, Fort Reno, Fort Fetterman, and the Wagon Box Fight.  Fort Phil Kearny is best known for the war between the U.S. Army and the Sioux Indians.  There is a museum located at both Fort Phil Kearney and Fort Fetterman where visitors can learn about the history of the historic events in this area.  Located at 528 Wagon Box Road in Banner, WY.

Mandel Post Office

Known as Sheridan's oldest building, the post office is a log cabin with a sod roof.  It was built in 1882 and held the post office, a store, a residence and voting place all at once.  In 1885 it was the first bank in Sheridan.  Today it is owned and operated by the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Wyoming. 

Address:

Trail End Historical Center

400 Claronden Street

Sheridan, WY 82801

Sheridan County Museum

Devoted to the preservation of the colorful cultures, characters and commerce of Sheridan area history with exhibits, children's programs, and activities. Located at 850 Sibley Circle in Sheridan, WY.

The Sheridan Inn - Historical Home of Buffalo Bill

Trail End State Historical Site and Museum

Green River Valley History Museum

Focused on the preservation and display of the cultural heritage of the Green River Valley of Wyoming, the museum features exhibits of Indian artifacts, oil and gas history, coal mining history, early pioneer homesteading and more.  Located at 206 N. Front Street in Big Piney, WY.

Museum of The Mountain Man

The museum is a place to learn about the historic mountain man of Wyoming.  Fur traders, trappers and trail blazers were the first inhabitants of the wild west and their roles in Wyoming history are examined and honored.  Located at 700 E. Hennick in Pinedale, WY.

Sweetwater County Historical Museum

Focusing primarily on the cultural heritage of SW Wyoming and the preservation of the history of Sweetwater County, the museum features collections of historical artifacts, photographs and documents.  Located at 3 East Flaming Gorge Way in Green River, WY.

Grand Teton National Park

Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum  [History]

Learn about the people and stories of Jackson Hole, WY.

Uinta County Museum

Focused on the collection, preservation and interpretation of the history of Uinta County and the surrounding region.  Housed inside the historical 1906 Carnegie building and features historical artifacts, photographs and archival records related to the history of Evanston and the surrounding area.  Located at 1020 Front Street in Evanston, WY.

Washakie Museum and Cultural Center

Housed inside a new facility with over 25,000 square feet of space to hold collections and exhibits related to the historical people of the Big Horn Basin and their environment, the museum also serves as a center for the visual and performing arts. Visitors will learn about the history of early settlers, geology, archaeology and the paleontology of the area. Located at 2200 Big Horn Avenue in Worland, WY.

Anna Miller Museum - Relive the historic old west!

Walk back in time and relive the old west.  This museum was built of hand-hewn sandstone blocks, quarried from nearby Salt Creek by the WPA in the 1930s.  Located off Highway 16 in Newcastle, WY.

Red Onion Museum

Reflecting the history of both Upton and Weston Counties of Wyoming, the museum features artifacts, artwork, photographs and documents from pioneer days to present and includes a research facility on the premises.  Located at 203 Pine Street in Upton, WY.

Museum Index for Other States

Wyoming Census Records

Back to Historical Museum Guide States Index

Do you have a museum not listed here?  Submit Links