The Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne is hosting an exhibit featuring previously unpublished photographs by renowned photographer Robert Frank, Wyoming Public Media reports.
These images, captured during his journey across the United States in the 1950s, provide a unique look at Wyoming’s people and culture during that time.
Robert Frank, a Swiss-born photographer, is best known for his 1959 book, The Americans, which documented American life through a satirical and thought-provoking lens. While the book included 83 selected images, Frank took over 28,000 photographs during his travels, many of which have never been published—until now.
The Wyoming State Museum exhibit showcases these rare outtakes, offering visitors a fresh perspective on Frank’s work. Among the images displayed is a photograph taken in front of the Casper Courthouse on Armed Forces Day, which later appeared on the album cover of the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street. Another notable image features a woman on horseback, a picture that was later published in one of Frank’s later works.
Robin Everett, a processing archivist at the Wyoming State Museum, believes the exhibit holds deep meaning for local residents.
“One of our goals was to have people come in and look at them [photographs] and hopefully recognize family… and then start an intergenerational conversation,” Everett said.
She also noted Frank’s ability to capture everyday moments in a way that resonates with viewers, whether through images of people at rodeos, diners, or simply crossing the street.
“I think that they would realize that they have a place and that Frank thought enough of them to take their image,” Everett added.
Frank traveled through at least five Wyoming communities during his journey. In collaboration with the June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation, efforts are being made to bring the exhibit to those same towns.
For visitors who want to explore beyond the displayed photographs, a QR code is available at the museum, providing access to additional images from Frank’s collection.
The exhibit is a joint effort between the Wyoming State Museum, the Wyoming State Archives, and the June Leaf and Robert Frank Foundation. It will be on display until March 29.
