Museums - Images from the Past

Page by Bob Leathers

Rock Springs Historical Museum Image from the Past

September 2, 1885: ​Chinese Immigrant Miners Massacre
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The massacre of the Chinese at Rock Springs, Wyoming / drawn by T. de Thulstrup from photographs by Lieutenant C.A. Booth, Seventh United States Infantry. (Library of Congress)
Print shows Chinese immigrant miners working for Union Pacific Coal Company fleeing from armed white miners who blamed the Chinese miners for taking their jobs. (Library of Congress)
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Image from the Past

The Reliance Tipple in Sweetwater County
Picture(Library of Congress)
​The Reliance Tipple in Sweetwater County, north of Rock Springs, one of two coal tipples, sorting stations associated with coal production at Reliance, Wyoming. The first, wooden tipple was built in 1910 and used until 1936. The perishable portions of that earlier tipple have disappeared, leaving only the sandstone foundations and some artifacts buried in the tailings pile. This second tipple was built in 1936 when Reliance Mine No. 7 was opened. The new tipple was built more durably of concrete and steel. (Library of Congress)

Museum Image from the Past

1940: Medicine Bow
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Medicine Bow, Wyoming. 1940. (Library of Congress)
Fort Fred Steel is located about twenty seven miles to the west of Hanna.
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Fort Fred Steele (Bob Leathers)
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Fort Steele. Sheep Wagon 2024 (Bob Leathers)

Wyoming Museums

There are some amazing museums in Wyoming. Check them out.
Hanna Basin Museum - Hanna, Wyoming
  • ​​A small, but nice museum located on Front Street in Hanna. No entry fee required - donations were acceptable. Picture taking was allowed – no restrictions. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history, which centered around the town and  coal mining. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
Medicine Bow Museum ​- Medicine Bow, Wyoming
  • Another small, but nice museum located on the Lincoln Highway. No entry fee was required - donations were acceptable. Picture taking was allowed – no restrictions. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history, which centered around the railroad and agriculture. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
 Rock Springs Historical Museum - Rock Springs, Wyoming
  • An excellent medium size museum. No entry fee was required, but donations were acceptable. Picture taking inside the museum was not allowed, but the rule was under review. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A large collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history which centered around coal mining. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
National Museum of Military Vehicles - Dubois, Wyoming
  • A world class museum. A very large museum that literally takes days to cover. A nominal entry fee is required. Tours are available or you make go on your own. Picture taking is allowed. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. It is a national museum. By far the largest in Wyoming. Highly recommended.
Pioneer Memorial Museum - Douglas, Wyoming
  • An excellent medium size museum. No entry fee was required, but donations were acceptable. Picture taking was allowed – no restrictions. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A solid collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history which centered around agriculture and western living. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum - Buffalo, Wyoming 
  • The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum is an excellent medium size American West museum in Buffalo, Wyoming, housed in a 1909 Carnegie Library building. Opened in 1909. A Blue Star Museum, which means they are connected to the National Endowment of the Arts. Entry fee required. No photos allowed. Great staff. Highly recommend. 
Fremont County Pioneer Museum - Lander, Wyoming
  • The Fremont County Pioneer Museum is an excellent larger size museum. No entry fee was required, but donations were acceptable. Pictures were allowed – no restrictions except for one small section of Indian art work. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A solid collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history which centered around agriculture and western living. The exhibits were interesting and well-presented. It had a large section of outside buildings and exhibits. Highly recommend. ​.
Hot Springs County Museum - Thermopolis, Wyoming
  • The Hot Springs County Museum is a very good medium size museum. There is a modest entry fee and donations are accepted. The museum features Pioneer and Outlaw history with the main attraction being the Hole in the Wall Gang. It has excellent displays of Native American artifacts, military and railroad history along with local businesses and schools. Recommended.
The Rockpile Museum - Gillette, Wyoming​​
  • The Rockpile is a nice medium size local history museum in Gillette, Wyoming. The museum had on display fossils, Native American items, weapons and many local artifacts. A good, medium size museum. An entry fee was required. Picture taking was allowed – no restrictions. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. A collection of artifacts was offered that represented and explained the area’s history, which centered around coal mining and agriculture. The exhibits were varied, interesting and well-presented. Recommended.
Douglas Railroad Interpretive Museum at Locomotive Park - Douglas, Wyoming
  • ​A small, but nice outdoor museum centered on the railroad. The indoor museum was not open at the time of our visit. Recommended.
Chris LeDoux Park - Kaycee, Wyoming
  • Chris LeDoux Park is a beautiful, well maintained park with a Memorial Statue to Chris LeDoux the famous Country and Western singer and Bronc Rider. Admission is free. 
Museum of the Mountain Man - Pinedale, Wyoming
  • The Museum of the Mountain Man is located in Pinedale, Wyoming. It is a wonderful museum dedicated to the history of the Rocky Mountain fur trade. There is a modest entry fee. Pictures are allowed.
 Sweetwater County Historical Museum - Green River, Wyoming
  • The Sweetwater County Historical Museum is located in Green River, Wyoming. It is a free admission museum. Pictures of exhibits are allowed. The museum is small, but the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. 
The Wyoming State Penitentiary. 1901 - 1981 - Rawlins, Wyoming
  • ​The Wyoming State Penitentiary is located in Rawlins Wyoming. It is a for pay museum that requires a tour. Pictures with no flash is allowed. 
Ten Sleep Museum - Ten Sleep, Wyoming
  • The Ten Sleep Pioneer Museum is a small, but very nice museum. It is located at 436 Second Street in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Entry is free. Pictures are allowed. It is still a growing museum with multiple buildings to visit. Well worth the time to visit.
Fort Fred Steele - Fort Steele, Wyoming 
  • Fort Fred Steele is a State of Wyoming Historic Site located at Fort Steele, Wyoming. The fort was established June 30, 1868 and was abandoned August 7, 1886. The forts purpose was to guarded the men building the Union Pacific Railroad across southern Wyoming. The historical site is located west of Hanna, Wyoming just off I-80 a few miles east of Sinclair, Wyoming. It is an open access area with multiple buildings on the site to visit. Pictures are allowed. Access is free.
This is a developing list. Check back for updates.