Walking Where They Walked: The Rock Springs Historical Museum

201 B Street, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901, 307-362-3138


Painting of the Rock Springs Municipal Building, September 2014, Rock Springs Historical Museum.
The building was empty until the Rock Springs Centennial Celebration in 1988. Through the hard work and dedication of volunteers, the museum was opened on 4 June 1988. Artifacts were loaned and donated by local residents and the volunteers created many exhibits to show what it was like to live in Rock Springs. In 1991-1992 with funds from the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program the building underwent a 1.7 million dollar restoration to bring it back to its 1890’s condition. Exhibits are rotated regularly.

Display from coal mining exhibit, September 2014, Rock Springs Historical Museum
The museum houses a coal mining exhibit that features many historical photographs, coal miner’s lamps, coal miner’s tools, maps, and other interesting features that examine the life and times of early Rock Springs coal miners. In one exhibit case is a watchman clock, similar to the watchman clock that James H. Roberts (24) used to use when he worked as a night watchman.

In the historical safe, there is a collection of typewriters, adding machines, and other antique office equipment.

The museum included two very large aerial photographs of the City of Rock Springs. One photograph was taken about 1926 and the other photograph was taken in 1970. These two large maps show how the city and the railroad lines have changed.

On display is the first Rock Springs Miner newspaper issue number 1, dated Thursday, 4 January 1894.
Rock Springs Miner issue number 1,September 2014, Rock Springs Historical Museum

September 2014, Rock Springs Historical Museum
 In a small hall there are three book shelves that house binders containing old newspaper articles, family histories, photographs, Rock Springs High School yearbooks, and old issues of the Employees Magazine.
Fire bell, September 2014, Rock Springs Historical Museum


 Hay loft door, September 2014, Rock Springs Historical Museum
The museum has used the original portion of the fire house as the fire department exhibit. There are photographs, including Roberts’s family members who were volunteer fire fighters. You can see the fire chief’s office, the hose tower, door to the hay loft, and fire cart.

 
Rialto Theater display, September 2014, Rock Springs Historical Museum
By the elevator on the first floor is small exhibit of featuring the Rialto Theater.

 
Sculptor is H. Prevedel, dated 1996,
September 2014, Rock Springs Historical Museum
 On the stairs to the second floor is this beautiful wooden carved picture of the history of Rock Springs. The Sculptor is H. Prevedel, dated 1996.

Official Seal of the City of Rock Springs, September 2014, Rock Springs Historical Museum


On the second floor there are exhibits about what life was like in historical Rock Springs. Exhibits include early dental care, quilting, house maintenance, and an exhibit explaining the Chinese Massacre.




Sources:
Rock Springs Historical Museum, Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Rock Springs Wyoming online

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