JACKSON, Wyo. — History Jackson Hole (HJH), formerly known as the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, invites area residents to the grand opening of the new Jackson Hole History Museum, located at 175 East Broadway Avenue, on Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Rendering image: HJH
Admission will be free all day, beginning at 10 a.m. From 5-7 p.m., join the History Museum for a grand opening greeting and a traditional “Shivaree Welcome,” a 19th-century tradition that welcomes newcomers to the community and newlyweds with a mock serenade played on homemade instruments and noisemakers.
The evening will then feature live music by Aaron Davis & The Mystery Machine, picnic fare by Jedediah’s Catering, and beverages by High Point Cider, Snake River Brewing, and The Liquor Store. The event is free and open to the public, and food and beverages are available while supplies last. Thanks to event sponsors Jackson Hole Traveler, Jedediah’s Catering & Concessions, and The Liquor Store.
For the first time in its 66-year history, the history museum will own both the building and grounds on the historic Van Vleck Block in downtown Jackson.
Rendering of the Jackson Hole Museum of History from the north side by HGA Architects. Photo: HJH
“The past five years dedicated to building a new home for history on the Block will set the stage for success for the next 100+ years,” said Morgan Jaouen, HJH executive director. “This project has been a collaborative effort, from our inception with Save the Block, to our valuable local input during community workshops, to our work with the local construction management team, donors, volunteers and more. There is so much to love and cherish in Jackson Hole, and we are thrilled to be occupying a new facility designed specifically to preserve and showcase that history for all.”
The new History Museum offers locals and visitors the opportunity to explore more than 11,000 years of human history in Jackson Hole. The main gallery features an interactive photo wall and artifact wall that display unique local photographs and artifacts from the History Museum’s collection. There are two historic cabins on the grounds: Kearns Cabin from the late 1800s and Shane’s Saddle & Tack Cabin, one of many cabins built for the set of the film “Shane” in 1951. Museum visitors can enter the Saddle & Tack Cabin from the main gallery to view Jackson Hole’s film history.
“As part of our mission as a community museum, we invited local experts, authors and organizations to contribute text for the main gallery, and 21 authors agreed to participate. We encourage you to look for some familiar local names in the new text panels,” said Kirsten Corbett, HJH Director of Exhibits and Communications.
The Marion W. Buchenroth Classroom on the second floor will provide activities for families when it is not being used for summer camps, after-school programs and educational events.
Nearby, the Sissy Patterson Gallery regularly hosts traveling exhibitions curated by the local community, beginning with “Elemental Landscapes: A Celebration of Indigenous Art,” curated by Lynette St. Clair and showcasing work by six contemporary Wind River artists.
A rooftop deck with a trellis and canopy will be available to rent for events, along with several other spaces within the new museum, and will round out the second floor. Other notable features include a downstairs archives and research center and the organization’s museum store, which will continue to offer books and unique gifts related to Jackson Hole history.
Jackson Hole History Museum’s summer hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on admission, upcoming events and walking tours of historic downtown that depart from the museum, visit www.jacksonholehistory.org.
After an exhaustive request for proposals process in 2020, HJH assembled a design team led by national multidisciplinary design firm HGA in partnership with local architecture firm Prospect Studio and exhibit designer Gallagher & Associates. HJH and the design team began gathering community input through a series of surveys, workshops and public presentations throughout 2021.
The construction teams Aufderheide Construction Management and Berning Project Management will start work on site in September 2022. In June 2023, the project will reach the halfway point, which will be marked with a “topping-out ceremony”.
In response to community input, the nonprofit decided to simplify its name and brand from Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum to History Jackson Hole to coincide with the opening of its new history museum. New Thought Digital Media assisted the nonprofit with its new branding.
The new History Museum campus will include two exhibition galleries, an archive center, education classrooms, a historic cabin, outdoor programming space and a museum store, providing engaging exhibits, education and community gathering spaces.
This major year-round museum showcases the history of Jackson Hole from Native Americans to the era of exploration, settlement, tourism and outdoor recreation. Exhibit development was organized in collaboration with community partners, including the Eastern Shoshone and Shoshone-Bannock tribes, and 20 Jackson Hole community contributors.
The history museum campus will be a community gathering place that anchors the character of downtown Jackson with authentic stories, objects and structures that define local identity, past, present and future.
The History of Jackson Hole
History Jackson Hole is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to tell the story of Jackson Hole and connect people to the history of the valley and the region. Museum staff steward and share artifacts and ideas that foster curiosity and ongoing learning, build connections, and inform 21st century dialogue. HJH envisions a community that is united, enriched, and strengthened by compelling connections to Jackson Hole’s history and heritage. To learn more or get involved, visit jacksonholehistory.org.
