This Cowboy Museum In The Heart Of Wyoming Will Take You Back In Time
King's Saddlery and Museum in Sheridan, Wyoming, showcases a rich collection of western and native art, artifacts, and relics documenting the state's history.
Wyoming's past is full of pioneer stories, of cowboys, of battle, and of triumph. Throughout most of Wyoming's recent history, Cowboys and horses have played a huge role. In Sheridan, a famous saddler named Don King truly made his mark. King built his first saddle in 1946 - and King's Saddlery has been part of Wyoming history ever since.
Today, you can visit an impressive western Museum tucked away in the famous tack store.
King's dancing bear greets you as you enter the room beyond the rope shop, where you'll find Don King's Old West Museum.
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Gathered over several decades, this collection of western and native art, artifacts, relics, and more documents Wyoming's not so distant past.
You'll find cases of old western rifles and handguns. In many ways, they aren't much different than the guns you'll find in Wyoming today.
The ornate leatherwork displayed throughout the museum shows just how talented these sharpshooters were at their other crafts.
Cowboys weren't just gunslingers. The writings, artwork, and songbooks show a softer, human side of the Wild West.
Don't forget to take a peek in the authentic hearse - this is truly one of the most unique treasures in the museum.
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King's Saddlery and Museum is located at 184 N Main St, Sheridan, WY 82801, and they're open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Some of the country's most impressive art and history museums are hiding in the unlikeliest of places - and Wyoming is no exception! Small towns can be unexpected havens of culture, antiques, and puzzle pieces of the past, often boasting impressive (and diverse) specialty collections. One small-town museum with a plethora to offer is the fantastically overlooked Little Snake River Museum (LSRM). This multi-building museum actually spans multiple small Wyoming towns as well, which means you know there's a lot to see and learn here! The next time you're in Southern Wyoming, pass through Baggs, Dixon, and Savery to check out the LSRM.
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Approximately 150 years of Wyoming and western history is a big stretch of time to cover, but the Little Snake River Museum does an incredible job of covering this wild and pioneering era. Despite being off the beaten path, this fantastic museum has three towns worth of relics, rare finds, and recreations that explore some of the Snake River Valley's most overlooked pieces of history.
The stories of legendary names like Buffalo Bill and Butch Cassidy have long been documented and memorialized as they relate to Wyoming - and rightfully so! But the everyday folk who built Southern Wyoming from the ground up get their moment in the spotlight at this small-town specialty museum. Folks like Noah Reader and his family - the first permanent residents of the area.
The museum property in Savery once belonged to the Savery School, before the school consolidated and moved to Baggs.
Today, hundreds of exhibits, displays, and collections document local history from approximately 1850 to the present day. Fifteen buildings currently make up the museum campus, each with unique local history and roots from right here in the Valley.
But you won't just find a hodge-podge of items here. Each building has a theme, personality, and style of its own. From the trading post-inspired Jim Baker Cabin…
This cabin was originally located in Cheyenne.
…to the nostalgic, little white Dutch Joe schoolhouse, packed with Savery school memorabilia…
…to the fully interactive Homesteader House…
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…to the Blacksmith shop, mercantile, barbershop, and everything in between.
Within the walls of these buildings are illuminating glimpses into the stories of countless Wyomingites and adventurous Mountain West pioneers.
You never quite know what you'll find!
Although some displays are much larger-than-life than others.
The vibrant colors and sun-kissed landscapes of the Snake River Valley create the perfect backdrop for these one-of-a-kind snapshots of the past.
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They also make for excellent grounds to host many of the museum's most beloved special events, like Pioneer Days!
Some of our country's heroes are honored here as well.
And if you need a little pick-me-up, you'll find a picnic area to kick back and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings.
Whether Western history is your jam or you just have a hankering for ogling old, rusty antiques (one of our favorite pastimes), the LSRM is the perfect place to see Wyoming history up close and personal.
History in the Cowboy State is plentiful and we certainly have our fair share of museums that offer fun and immersive peeks into the past. But tucked away so far south (practically on the Colorado border), the Little Snake River Museum in Wyoming is definitely a hidden gem when it comes to brilliant nuggets of history!
For more information on exhibits, seasonal openings, hours, special events, and more, visit the Little Snake River Museum website.
Next, one gorgeous town is chock full of history of a different type - rail history! Check out Evanston, Wyoming for a fun-filled weekend getaway. Or, if your history buff roots run extra deep, check out our Wyoming history guide for more one-of-a-kind throwbacks.
In Cheyenne, Wyoming, there is an architectural marvel that immediately makes us think of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If you’re familiar with the notable Harry Potter franchise, then you likely already know about the beauty that is Hogwarts. With tall spires, architectural prowess, and unique features, this building made the series' setting so surreal. Come see why the Union Pacific Railroad Depot, considered a truly stunning building in Wyoming, is giving off that same Hogwarts energy. Let's learn more about this fascinating and beautiful railroad depot in Wyoming.
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The Union Pacific Railroad Depot in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is one of the most acclaimed and architecturally significant buildings in the state.
Built back in 1886 and 1887, this railroad depot has since been acknowledged as one of the most beautiful railroad stations in North America.
To us, the Richardsonian Romanesque architecture is reminiscent of the towering spires and concrete exterior notable at Hogwarts Witchcraft & Wizardry School.
The station was built from sandstone blocks quarried and brought from Ft. Collins, Colorado.
While there were plenty of renovations over the years, the building still stands as one of the coolest architectural gems in the region.
Take a look inside and enjoy the Cheyenne Depot Museum, which houses a ton of railroad history over the years, and even events like the Steam Train Excursion in July!
We don’t know about you, but this delightfully historic depot looks like the perfect place for Harry Potter to grab the train from King’s Cross, at Platform 9 and 3/4.
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For even more travel inspiration, check out the stunning drone footage of Cheyenne. You'll even spot the famous railroad depot!
What do you think about this stunning building in Wyoming? Is it making you think about Hogwarts at all? Just look at that spire! If you want to find out more about visiting the Cheyenne Depot Museum inside the Union Pacific Railroad Depot, go straight to the source. Check out the official Cheyenne Depot Museum website for additional information. And while you're in the area, don't forget to take a look at some of the most unique vacation rentals in Cheyenne, WY.
If you want to keep going with the unique buildings in the state, then make sure to check out these 12 architectural marvels in Wyoming worth exploring. Wyoming really is such a beautiful state.