Home » Exhibition: Cody to the World! Celebrating 100 years at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Exhibition: Cody to the World! Celebrating 100 years at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Past Exhibition

Cody to the World! Celebrating 100 years at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West

June 3, 2017 – February 4, 2018

The year of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s death—1917—was dominated by World War I, which brought rapid and lasting change to the nation. From this loss sprang a mission to celebrate the life of Buffalo Bill and the pride and spirit he brought to the arenas of the world.

The special exhibition "Cody to the World!" celebrates the Center of the West's Centennial

A lasting memorial, the original Buffalo Bill Museum in a log building, opened in 1927. The humble town of Cody, Wyoming, has grown alongside the Buffalo Bill Center of the West for one hundred years. The community, global audiences, and the many events and people that create what we call “history” helped shape the Center.

Our Centennial is a time to look at origins and growth, and tragedy and triumph. Entering our second century, we celebrate our milestones as well as events in the surrounding Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the region, and the world. The ever-changing dream and spirit of the America West is with us today and always as we look to the future. In doing so, we share this special exhibition, Cody to the World! Celebrating 100 years at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

The Center and its mission “to inspire, educate, and engage global audiences through an authentic experience with the American West” helped shape the identity of the American West through art, science, culture, and history to connect to a place and spirit found nowhere else on earth.

Cody to the World! opened to the public in the Center of the West’s Special Exhibitions Gallery on June 3, 2017, and closed February 4, 2018. Cody to the World is supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council.

A few highlights from this special exhibition

In addition to the overall Center theme, each of our five museums shared pieces related to our Centennial.

Feather bonnet possibly owned by Chief Joseph. Nez Perce, ca. 1877. Golden eagle, hawk and flicker feathers, ermine hide and fur, dyed horse hair, rawhide. The Paul Dyck Plains Indian Buffalo Culture Collection, acquired through the generosity of the Dyck family and gifts of the Nielson Family and Estate of Margaret S. Coe. NA.203.1547
Feather bonnet possibly owned by Chief Joseph. Nez Perce, ca. 1877. Golden eagle, hawk and flicker feathers, ermine hide and fur, dyed horse hair, rawhide. The Paul Dyck Plains Indian Buffalo Culture Collection, acquired through the generosity of the Dyck family and gifts of the Nielson Family and Estate of Margaret S. Coe. NA.203.1547
Peter Jacobs (b. 1939) in collaboration with William Hosokawa. "Spirit House–Heart Mountain 1942," 2006. Gift of the Artist. 6.06
Peter Jacobs (b. 1939) in collaboration with William Hosokawa. “Spirit House–Heart Mountain 1942,” 2006. Gift of the Artist. 6.06
William F. Cody's buckskin jacket adorned with American and Cuban flags, ca. 1898. 1.69.784
William F. Cody’s buckskin jacket adorned with American and Cuban flags, ca. 1898. 1.69.784
Sturm, Ruger, and Co. pistol, 1982. Gift of William B. Ruger, Jr. and Carolyn Ruger Vogel in loving memory of their father, William B. Ruger, and their brother, James Thompson Ruger. 2006.14.20
Sturm, Ruger, and Co. pistol, 1982. Gift of William B. Ruger, Jr. and Carolyn Ruger Vogel in loving memory of their father, William B. Ruger, and their brother, James Thompson Ruger. 2006.14.20
Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) specimen. NH.305.100
Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) specimen. NH.305.100

Written By

Nancy McClure avatar

Nancy McClure

Nancy now does Grants & Foundations Relations for the Center of the West's Development Department, but was formerly the Content Producer for the Center's Public Relations Department, where her work included writing and updating website content, publicizing events, copy editing, working with images, and producing the e-newsletter Western Wire. Her current job is seeking and applying for funding from government grants and private foundations. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys photography, reading, flower gardening, and playing the flute.

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