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.
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.
By the elevator on the first floor is small
exhibit of featuring the Rialto Theater.
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.
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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