New Permanent Historical Exhibits Debut at Wyoming State Capitol

Visitors to Wyoming’s State Capitol will soon have the opportunity to engage with the state’s rich heritage in a new and immersive way, Casper Star-Tribune reports.

On July 10, coinciding with Wyoming Statehood Day and the beginning of a yearlong celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, permanent historical exhibits will be unveiled throughout Capitol Square in Cheyenne.

At the heart of this $5.9 million project is a Victorian-style theater tucked inside the Capitol building, where classic Wyoming imagery—farm animals, early settlers, and agricultural life—has been reimagined in subtle, moving displays. Gently animated artwork, like the swing of a bull’s tail or the turn of an elk’s head, is designed to capture attention and invite visitors to explore the deeper history of the Cowboy State.

The new Capitol Square exhibits aim to make the building more accessible and engaging to the public following extensive renovations. The displays cater to a variety of interests and learning styles, offering both quick, digestible content and QR codes for those wanting a deeper dive into Wyoming’s past.

One of the central features is Suffrage Hall, which highlights Wyoming’s role as the first state to grant women the right to vote. The space includes panels and multimedia content on prominent figures like Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman to serve as governor of a US state, and Lizabeth Wiley, who successfully ran for mayor of Greybull in 1924 with the goal of driving out the Ku Klux Klan.

“I was like, ‘That can’t possibly be true,'” said State Auditor Kristi Racines, referring to Wiley’s story. “And it is true.”

Racines, a fourth-generation Wyomingite, said even she has learned new aspects of the state’s history through the exhibit.

For those more interested in architectural history, Architectural Hall provides a look at the Capitol’s original construction, later expansions, and the 2019 restoration. It also highlights the work of the tradespeople who maintain and preserve the building today.

Education was a key driver behind the project. In partnership with the Wyoming Department of Education, exhibit designers created content meant to appeal to students of all interests, from those bound for college to those pursuing careers in technical fields. Displays showcase the skills of trades like painting, carpentry, and facilities management.

Another focus of the project was wayfinding. To make the Capitol more navigable, rooms have been named after Wyoming’s six major river basins and adorned with photography from local landmarks across the state.

“This gives a layer of both wayfinding and interpretation of our history and our geography,” said Wendy Madsen, Special Projects Manager for the Wyoming Legislative Service Office.

The goal, officials say, is to make the Capitol more welcoming to all.

“It can feel serious,” Racines said. “But we want it to feel like ‘The People’s House.'”