Center of The West.
Understanding Culture Through Art.
Every time I visit a new area or country, I make a point to visit the local museum. I enjoy history and learning about the past, but in my opinion, art is even more crucial in understanding people and their cultural identity. I was fortunate to grow up in a place with a rich history and culture, which perhaps explains why art resonates with me more than statistics. I believe that local museums are excellent representations of the spirit of a place and its community. Our Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a prime example of this.
The center comprises five different museums:
Buffalo Bill Museum - A museum dedicated to Western history, where visitors can learn about "The Greatest Showman of his time" - Buffalo Bill, his life, his show, and the people he lived and worked with. I have a soft spot for Bill Cody; he was a man of immense personality and character!
Plains Indian Museum - This museum plays a significant role in helping people understand the past and present of our area. It features amazing artifacts and showcases the history of Plains Indians beautifully. It's a great museum for family visits; kids love it!
Draper Natural History Museum - A favorite among kids! It's an amazing interactive space for the whole family. I think it's a great opportunity to stop and explore before heading to Yellowstone. Visitors can learn about animals and ecosystems in a very entertaining way.
Cody Firearms Museum - A favorite among men! While I wouldn't call myself a big firearms fan, this museum is truly impressive! With over 4,000 firearms from different time periods, beautifully displayed, gun lovers come to Cody just to visit this museum.
Whitney Western Art Museum - This is my favorite, not just because I love art, but also because I admire the space and layout. It's one of the most elegant galleries I've ever been to. During the winter months, when I feel the need to immerse myself in beauty, I visit the Whitney Museum and spend an hour or so. It's an easy and fast mood fix.
Of course, that's not all; the Center of the West offers special exhibitions, a beautiful gift shop, a cafeteria, and even a Raptor Center! Friendly and knowledgeable museum guides are available for private tours (which need to be booked in advance).
I can't stress enough how much I love our museum and how fortunate we are to have it in Cody. I highly recommend you visit, even if you only have a little time; it's so worth it!