Museum at the Bighorns Announces New Exhibit

The Museum of the Bighorns is making continual progress. Carrie Ida Edinger, Museum Director, and Chip King, Director of Operations, talked to Sheridan Media about some of the exhibits and events that they are looking forward to in the upcoming year.

She said they are also getting ready for their newest exhibit, “Transitions of the Landscape.” Edinger explains what that exhibit will be.

She said they have been working with the Spear family on the exhibit and said there would be about 20 photos along with historical information and other interesting items.

This exhibit will open on January 2, along with the Museum’s first Family Day which will be held from 10 until noon. They will host an activity table featuring various animals from the High Plains and mountains with a focus on their diets and why they may differ.

The Sheridan/Johnson County Chapter of the Wyoming Archaeological Society and SWCA Environmental Consultants will be partnering with us and will bring their “Digging into History” dig boxes, educational artifacts, grinding slabs, and coloring pages.

In addition to the other activities, the Natural History Museum of Wyoming will have a Champsosaurus puzzle and a table talking about the future partnership we will have for our Environmental History exhibit. Family Day is generously supported by the Perkins Foundation.

This event is a kickoff to let the community know that the Museum is going to be open during the winter months.

Museums need funds, and the museum is still fundraising, Edinger said.

The gift shop has a wealth of books by local authors, and other gifts from local craftsmen. Chip King added that the foot traffic in the first four months that the museum was in the main street location was more than there was at the 5^th Street location all year long.

King added about the on-going fun raising efforts.

These museum items are only available through the end of the year, so those interested are encouraged to visit the museum before December 31.

Winter hours are Tues-Saturday 10-5. Hours will be expanded during the summer; King said the ultimate goal will be to be open 7 days a week and to be open in the evening.

This is a two-part story. In part two Edinger will talk about the floor plan and share some other exciting museum news.