When episode six of The Last of Us season two aired on May 18, 2025, fans were drawn to a moving flashback scene between Joel and Ellie set inside a museum teeming with dinosaurs and space memorabilia, K2 Radio reports.
The location—identified as the “Wyoming Museum of Science and History”—prompted an immediate question among viewers, particularly those familiar with the state: is this museum a real place?
The short answer is no, the Wyoming Museum of Science and History does not actually exist. It is a fictional creation originally introduced in The Last of Us Part II video game for the PlayStation 4 and later recreated for the HBO series. However, the story doesn’t end there.
Though not real in name or form, the museum featured in the episode is believed to be inspired—at least in part—by an actual location in Wyoming: the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. This real-world museum is known for its extensive fossil exhibits and life-sized dinosaur displays, echoing the prehistoric elements seen in the game and show.
The museum scene in the HBO adaptation closely mirrors a memorable flashback from the video game, with details like the towering dinosaur statues and the intimate moment inside a space capsule faithfully recreated. These elements blend scientific awe with emotional storytelling, making the fictional museum feel authentic and grounded in reality.
The show and game place this fictional museum near Jackson, a real town in northwestern Wyoming. While Jackson is a hub for tourism and outdoor recreation, it does not house a science and history museum that matches what’s shown in The Last of Us. Still, the scenic and somewhat isolated nature of the area makes it a fitting location within the narrative’s post-apocalyptic setting.
For Wyoming residents, particularly those less familiar with Jackson or skeptical of the town’s cultural alignment with the rest of the state, the name “Wyoming Museum of Science and History” might ring a bell—or at least feel plausible. But despite its believable name and Wyoming branding, the museum exists solely in the world of The Last of Us.
The Wyoming Museum of Science and History stands as a prime example of how fiction can convincingly mirror reality. Its detailed portrayal—complete with accurate museum features and a heartfelt storyline—has left many viewers wondering whether it might be based on an actual institution. While it’s not a place fans can visit, its inspiration from real Wyoming landmarks like the Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis gives it a tangible connection to the Cowboy State.
