Center of the West Media Fact Sheet
Media Info
The Center of the West's Construction History
The Buffalo Bill Museum opened as a log cabin in 1927 in downtown Cody. In 1969 it moved to a new wing of what was then-named the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, joining the Whitney Western Art Museum (opened in 1959 as the Whitney Gallery of Western Art) on the Center’s campus. The Plains Indian Museum opened in 1979, the Cody Firearms Museum in 1976 (redesigned and reinstalled in 2019), the McCracken Research Library in 1980, and the Draper Natural History Museum in 2002.
Press Inquiries:
Contact Bruce Sauers, 307-578-4042, bruces@centerofthewest.org
Interview Opportunities:
Center curators, staff, and local historians are also available, by appointment, to members of the media seeking to add layers of colorful commentary, facts, and stories to their editorial coverage.
» Rebecca West, Executive Director & CEO «
» Gretchen Henrich, Collier-Read Director of Curatorial, Education, and Museum Services «
» Paul Hutton, PhD, Tate Chair of Western History and Buffalo Bill Museum Curator«
» Danny Michael, Robert W. Woodruff Curator, Cody Firearms Museum «
» Corey Anco, Willis McDonald IV Curator of Natural History, Draper Natural History Museum «
» Hunter Old Elk, Harriet and Edson W. Spencer Curator, Plains Indian Museum «
» Karen McWhorter, Margaret and Dick Scarlett Curator , Whitney Western Art Museum «
» Susan Fletcher, Housel Director, McCracken Research Library «
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Physical Address:
720 Sheridan Avenue
Cody, Wyoming 82414
Phone Number:
307-587-4771
General E-mail Address:
[email protected]
The Center of the West at a Glance
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is the premier destination to experience the authentic story of the American West. Five world-class perspectives on aspects of the West mesh to move visitors to discover and develop personal connections to that story. A research library supports exploration of these perspectives.
The Center is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. A repeat recipient of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence from several years running, the Center also frequently wins honors in True West magazine’s annual “Best of the West” awards.
The Center of the West takes visitors on an adventurous ride through the history of the American West via its 300,000 square feet of collections of artifacts, interactive displays, western art, and exhibits housed within five museums and one research library. The Center appeals to visitors of all ages and is an attraction that can be enjoyed over a few hours or a few days.
Less than a one-hour drive from Yellowstone National Park, the Center has become a memorable part of millions of family vacations and has also been named one of the “favorite museums for group travelers” by the National Tour Association.
