Whether you live in Casper or are visiting the area, it’s well worth your time to explore the city’s many museums. Whether you’re an art lover, history buff, or nature enthusiast, there’s a museum to suit your tastes. Let’s take a look at some of these museums and what they have to offer.
1. The Nicolaysen Art Museum
The Nicolaysen Art Museum is home to a vast art collection featuring works by artists ranging from European masters to contemporary artists from Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain region. In 2009, the Nicolaysen received accreditation from the American Association of Museums, an honor reserved for only the most prestigious museums in the nation. The museum encourages participation from the community by hosting special exhibits such as art shows featuring work created by local students and the Casper Photography Association. The museum also hosts lectures and workshops, allowing visitors to learn about its diverse collection and art in general.
2. Fort Caspar Museum
At the Fort Caspar Museum, visitors can step back in time to explore a reconstructed 1865 military post. The fort once served as a major crossroads on the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California, Pony Express, and transcontinental telegraph trails. The area was also once home to several tribes indigenous to Wyoming, including the Shoshone, Crow, and Lakota. Special exhibits at the museum explain how these tribes and various settlers once lived. Special events at For Caspar include cooking demonstrations, archeological digs, and battle reenactments. At the Fort Caspar Museum Store, you’ll find a variety of unique gifts including handmade Native American crafts.
3. Werner Wildlife Museum
The Werner Wildlife Museum allows visitors to explore the natural wonders of Wyoming, as well as creatures that inhabit other areas of the United States, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Since its founding in 1964, the museum’s collection has grown to include 400 bird, fish, and mammal specimens. The museum is also home to The Lair, an interactive learning exhibit that kids of all ages can enjoy. Visitors to the museum also have the opportunity to explore gardens, feed birds, and have a pleasant picnic. Special events at the Werner Wildlife Museum include lectures, photography classes, and live animal demonstrations.
4. Tate Geological Museum
If you’ve ever wanted to find out what Wyoming was like in prehistoric times, the Tate Geological Museum is a must-visit. One highlight of the museum’s collection is Dee the Mammoth, an 11,600-year-old Columbian Mammoth whose bones were unearthed just north of Glenrock, Wyoming. Dee was carefully reconstructed by Tate staff and is now the star of the Pleistocene exhibit.
Another interesting exhibit is the Mesozoic Marine display. During the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous eras, the land that is now Wyoming was covered with water and home to creatures such as ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs, and hybodont sharks. These creatures and others are now on display in the Mesozoic Marine section.
These are just some of the interesting museums located in Casper. Consider a visit so you can learn about the art, history, and natural treasures of Wyoming.
Image via Flickr by jabberwock
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