Cowley, Wyoming
Cowley Heritage Center
& Pioneer Museum
Preserving the heritage of the Big Horn Basin since 1900. Explore the stories of the pioneers who built a community from the rugged Wyoming frontier.
Hours
Thursday & Friday: 9:00 AM – Noon
Or by appointment
Location
20 S Division St
Cowley, WY 82420
Contact
(307) 250-2532
(307) 548-2145
Free Admission
Our Story
Over a Century of
Pioneer Heritage
In 1900, a group of Mormon pioneers answered the call to settle Wyoming's Big Horn Basin. They named their new home after Matthias F. Cowley and set to work building a community from the ground up — constructing the 37-mile Sidon Canal, raising log homes, and opening a school by January 1901.
The Cowley Heritage Center & Pioneer Museum preserves the artifacts, photographs, and stories of the families who transformed this rugged frontier into a thriving community.
Read the full history“The first company of pioneers arrived in the area on May 2, 1900, and began the construction of the Sidon Canal to bring water to the town from the Shoshone River.”
— From With Book and Plow, by Mark N. Partridge
The Collection
Artifacts & Archives
From photographs and news clippings to pioneer tools, our collection tells the story of Cowley through the objects its people left behind.
Pioneer Artifacts
Tools, household items, and personal belongings of Cowley's founding families.
Historical Photographs
Thousands of photographs documenting life in Cowley from 1900 to present.
Documents & Records
News articles, obituaries, photographs, and memorabilia preserving the stories of Cowley's citizens.
Veterans Archive
Records honoring Cowley veterans from the Civil War through modern conflicts.
School History
Big Horn Academy and Cowley High School memorabilia, class photos, and records.
Community Life
Stories of Pioneer Day celebrations, the log gym, sports, and town traditions.
Come Visit Us
Whether you're tracing your family roots or simply curious about Wyoming's pioneer past, we'd love to welcome you. Admission is always free.
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