Center of the West Firearms Museum - Cody

[Wyo]

I was in Cody on business for the last couple of days and took the opportunity to stop by the newly remodeled firearms museum. The remodel was a long, expensive project that just reopened last week. I had been there many times before but this was something entirely beyond my expectations. In a word, it is magnificent. A few pictures. John Wayne's rifle from Stagecoach:

Views down a couple of several galleries:

They have about 800 years of firearms history here.

For the S&W lovers, a lot of the guns that weren't available to view before are now in drawers that are available for all to see. There were about 50 drawers just of S&W's, never mind all the other stuff. A small sample:

If you've never been to this museum put it on your bucket list. If you have been, go again. It's a whole new place!

 

[SuperMan]

I've been twice but looks like I'll have to go again...

Thanks for the heads up!!

Bob

 

[rch27834]

I vacationed there last summer while they were working on that. It's a long way from home. Maybe I'm get there again. I really enjoyed Wyoming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hawker800]

Been there four times, great museum. Heart Mountain War Relocation Center is 13 miles Northeast of Cody.

 

[Peak53]

I haven't been there for some years and didn't know they remodeled. Cody defined "museum quality" in firearms even then. Not the ragtag collections of some of us (me). If it is better than before, that would be quite a treat. Another trip for the bucket.

 

[tops]

I was there several years ago and spent most of 3 days there. It was mind boggling and I really enjoyed it. I would like to go again. Larry

 

[Maddog 521]

That museum is amazing to wonder around in. Simply amazing.

 

[Steve K]

I was there two weeks ago; this is a top notch museum. Cody has become one of our places to revisit and the museum is one reason why.

 

[Skeet 028]

45 miles from home. I'll get there again soon. Have a friend that does the research on (esp) Winchesters. They are getting other factory records to research these days. BTW the Winchester Collectors show is in Cody this weekend

 

[old bear]

Wyo, thanks for the information. There's only one sad thing about places of that quality and depth. There is just to much to absorb in the typical time most of us have.

 

[armenius]

Is this no longer the Buffalo Bill Historic Center? I was in Cody years ago and visited BBHC and could have entertained myself for a week with firearms,artifacts and art.

 

[muddocktor]

Is this no longer the Buffalo Bill Historic Center? I was in Cody years ago and visited BBHC and could have entertained myself for a week with firearms,artifacts and art.

They renamed it. According to Wikipedia, it's now called Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

 

[ddixie884]

I stopped on my way back to TX from working a job in Afton Wy in the mid 80s. Driving through town and saw the sign for the Winchester collection. I had read the book from the school library in HS. Parked, went in and stayed til closing time. It was great. I've been through several times in a truck, but I'm always oversize and havn't stopped. I need to get back. I'll bet it is bigger and better than ever. I should take more time for myself. I'm getting too old to pass up small pleasures........

Edit; This was in 83 or 84 when I was still chasing construction jobs. I went trucking in 86.

 

[bearman49709]

I was there in 1968 and would love to go again, however I doubt I will ever make it again.

 

[Gamecock]

I enjoyed the Whitney Museum of Western Art there as well.

 

[gregintenn]

I would love to see it!


Let's say a man and his wife, from waaaaaaay out of town, had a week or so to spend int he area. Where would you fly into,stay, and aside from the places mentioned above, where would you spend your time that a wife might also enjoy?

 

[Wyo]

I would fly into Billings, MT, rent a car and drive to Red Lodge, over Beartooth Pass and into Cooke City, MT. Stay a night there. Then into Yellowstone Park and up the Lamar Valley where you may see griz, wolves and/or buffalo. Then see the sights of Yellowstone like the Falls, Old Faithful, etc. for sure spend a night at the Old Faithful Lodge - stay in the old part. When you're finished in Yellowstone, head back through Cooke City and south to Cody through Sunlight Basin. It is a slightly longer route but the scenery is spectacular. Once you get to Cody, plan at least a day at the museum as there are actually five museums in one. A full day is barely enough. I would then head east across the Big Horn Basin and cross the mountains through Burgess Junction to Sheridan. Stop at old Fort Phil Kearny just south of there, the scene of the Fetterman massacre. There are museums and other places of interest in Sheridan as well, and I would probably stay the night there. Then head north on I 90 to the Custer Battlefield. That's about 65 miles north of Sheridan. You can spend most of the day there, then go on to Billings. It's only about two hours away. There are lots of other ways to take a trip like this, but this would get you the most in the least amount of time. Take a trip and enjoy yourself!

 

[Gamecock]

I'd fly into SLC. In fact, I did.

Drove north thru Idaho falls and Butte, over to Bozeman. Don't miss the Museum of the Rockies at Bozeman. Fabulous dinosaur collection. Down to Yellowstone. Allow one day for it. Over to Cody. You must eat at the Irma Hotel. Down thru Thermopolis and Riverton, up the Wind River Range to Moran Junction. Behold the Grand Tetons. Down thru Jackson to Bear Lake. Stay on US89 to Logan, UT. The Cache Valley will knock your socks off. On down to SLC. Check out the Kennecott Copper Mine at Magna. You won't believe it exists.

Time it right - early August or late September - so you can get over to Wendover, UT. Bonneville. Salt flats. Watch the cars attempting world speed records. It is a spiritual experience.

I did this trip in 2007. It was amazing. For this easterner, a surprising spectacle was seeing Union Pacific trains, crossing the vast plain west of SLC, or working down the Bighorn valley toward Thermopolis.

Join AAA, and get their guidebooks for UT, ID, MT, and WY. They'll tell you what there is to see.

 

[gregintenn]

Wyo and Gamecock, I feel like I owe you two money. Thanks for the suggestions. My wife wants us to take a trip next year for our 25th anniversary. If she doesn't come up with something else, one of these routs sounds great to me!

 

[wyo-man]

I was at the opening, too. Spent 1.5 hours just in the firearms section.
Was amazed at some of the displays. The .45 Colt from the TV show Paladin and guns from Longmire are on display.
I feel quite fortunate as it is only 4 blocks from where I live.

wyo-man