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I have mixed feelings about the Nelson Museum of the West. It’s got several excellent exhibits and historical items and gives visitors a detailed look into every aspect of the West, but one specific thing about the museum really annoyed me. 

Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Nelson Museum of the West

 

Admission

Admission to the Nelson Museum of the West is US$5 per person while children 12 and under are admitted free (as of April 2024). It’s open from May to October and is located at 1714 Carey Avenue in downtown Cheyenne. I spent a good hour going through the exhibits. There’s a lot to see and one hour doesn’t do it justice.

 

First Floor

On the first floor, there are some pieces of Native American art on display, including textiles, sheaths, and shoes. There were also several different army uniforms used by soldiers in the west. They were organized in chronological order and labeled with the war or period they were worn.

Native American art at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Native American art
Military uniforms at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Military uniforms

 

Second Floor

Upstairs, there were more interesting exhibits. Guns typically used in the West were prominently on display, as were spurs, chaps, saddles, hats, and other items used by cowboys. There was also a display about Mexican cowboys, including sombreros, saddles, and spurs.

Firearms at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Firearms
Mexican display at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Mexican display

Another display honored Edward H. Bohlin (1895-1980), Hollywood’s finest saddlemaker. He made countless items for Western films during his life and outfitted stars such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and the Lone Ranger. Born in Sweden, he was obsessed with the cowboy way of life. In 1912 at the age of 17, he moved to Montana and learned some cowboy skills along with the English language. By 1920, he had his very own leather shop, and by 1922, he was living in Hollywood. The rest is history.

Edward Bohlin display at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Edward Bohlin display

One special “room” displayed authentic artifacts used to decorate cattle barons’ homes and another displayed the furniture and some paintings by artist Burt Procter.

Cattle baron's room at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cattle baron’s room
Burt Procter room at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Burt Procter room

 

Basement

The basement focused on lawmen, outlaws, and crime in the West. Illegal gambling items, confiscated homemade weapons, and the story of the Ma Barker Gang was told with newspaper clippings and photos.

Gambling materials at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Gambling materials
Confiscated homemade weapons at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Confiscated homemade weapons
Ma Barker Gang at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Ma Barker Gang

There were also some fun handmade models of a Wild West courtroom scene and gambling saloon.

Courtroom scene at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Courtroom scene
Gambling saloon scene at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Gambling saloon scene

 

Big Game Animals

So, you’ve read everything about the selected exhibits I wrote about, you’ve seen the photos I’ve posted, and nothing seems off, right?

African animals at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
African animals
Grizzly bear at the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Grizzly bear

Other than the grizzly bear, do any of these animals have anything to do with the West? Do they have anything to do with the United States? Not at all.

 

My Thoughts

Overall, the museum was excellent. However, having the animals scattered throughout made it seem like more of a taxidermy museum. Also, the labels indicate the name of the hunter and most of them were shot by one man. The museum states that hunting is a major tradition of the West. That’s fine, but I think it would be a whole lot better if they focused on the actual purpose of the museum rather than display one man’s African hunting trophies (although they should keep the animals from the West).

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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