10 History Museums in Wyoming That You Shouldn't Miss

Housed in the Ivinson Mansion, this museum contains exhibits of pioneer life in Wyoming.

Hours: Mar 1–Apr 30: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily May 1–Sep 15: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. daily. Sep 16–Oct 31: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Nov 1–30: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. Dec 1–Feb 28: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday–Sunday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s days. Since 1927, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West has been committed to the greatness and growth of the American West, keeping western experiences alive. The Center of the West, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, weaves the varied threads of the western experience-history and myth, art and Native culture, firearms, and the nature and science of Yellowstone-into the rich panorama that is the American West. The Center of the West has been honored with numerous awards, including TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence for four years running.

The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center is located at the site of a former World War II Japanese American Relocation Camp. Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese Americans on the West Coast were rounded up and confined in 10 camps around the country. One of these was located at Heart Mountain, and approximately 14,000 Japanese Americans were wrongly incarcerated here. The camp today features a museum, gallery, walking tour, original Relocation Camp structures and a World War II Memorial. The museum features interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages showing how Japanese Americans coped with unjust confinement and how the story of Japanese American imprisonment affects our lives today. A 14-minute introductory film plays several times each hour.

The Carbon County Museum collects, conserves, interprets and disseminates regional history to inspire Carbon County cultural entities and all learners – today and tomorrow. The CCM has several exhibits and displays that celebrate the history and culture of the communities and natural habitat of this county. These topics include, among others, our Native American past, the role of the settlers as they came West, and the various technologies used in order to adapt to a harsh environment upon arrival. We also have on display one of the country’s largest exhibits devoted to the Union Pacific Railroad, which has been instrumental in the social and economic development of much of this region for over 150 years.

Belly up to the original bar where outlaws from the Hole-In-The-Wall gang once sat, including the infamous Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid! Though spirits are no longer served to patrons, it is a great place to sit and imagine the sights, sounds and smells that once surrounded this icon from the past. Walk through an old town setting where you can peer through the doors and windows of an old general store, doctor & dentist offices, a reconstructed jail, a newspaper & print shop, barber shop and much more. Explore one of the largest Indian artifact collections in Wyoming. The museum also houses several prehistoric artifacts and an amazing display of rocks & minerals. This history of Hot Springs County would not be complete without honoring our veterans. We have cases full of artifacts from area soldiers who served in several conflicts over the years. Check out the museum gift shop for some unique gifts & souvenirs!