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Museum of the Bighorns outlines relocation, exhibit plans and Smithsonian partnership
Summary
Museum directors described a year-long inventory and relocation effort, plans for a 5,000-square-foot exhibit space with climate-controlled storage, partnerships with Upland Exhibits and local firms, and selection for a Smithsonian pilot exhibit opening July 2026.
Sheridan — Directors of the Museum of the Bighorns updated the City Council on an extended closure, collection inventory, relocation and exhibit plans for a new downtown facility.
Chip King, director of operations, told council the museum closed its Art History location on Dec. 16, 2023, to perform a comprehensive inventory in preparation for relocation. The board used city GPF funds to keep the museum closed for the extended inventory and to engage design and exhibit firms. “This extended closure ... revealed a few hidden gems,” King said, noting discoveries including a 44-star Garrison-size American flag and correspondence tied to World War II.
King said the museum engaged Upland Exhibits of Lawrence, Kansas, and local architecture, engineering and construction firms to design roughly 5,000 square feet of exhibit space plus climate-controlled storage, staging and a retail area focused on locally made goods. He said the board is splitting responsibilities: a new museum director will manage collections and education (the “back of house”) while he focuses on construction and retail (“front of house”). The museum aims for longer hours and a seven-day schedule.
Museum director Carrie Edinger said she joined the museum about a month ago and proposed six exhibit themes: the Big Horn Mountains, High Plains ecosystems, coal and other industries, downtown Sheridan (including a horse/rodeo component), ranching, and rotating/traveling exhibits. She said the museum plans to rotate exhibits at least twice a year and will participate in community events such as third-Thursday family activities and the Claremont Historical Group quilt show in March.
Edinger announced a local partnership tied to a Smithsonian pilot exhibit: Sheridan’s application was selected as part of the Smithsonian “Many Voices, One Nation” pilot, one of three states chosen; the local component will open July 2026 as part of the U.S. 250th celebration and will emphasize local history within the Smithsonian framework.
Why it matters: The museum’s relocation and new exhibits are pitched as downtown economic and cultural development tools — a climate-controlled storage area will protect artifacts and a retail focus on local artisans is intended to keep visitors in the downtown shopping district longer.
What’s next: The board is moving forward with construction planning and exhibit design; staff anticipate reopening in phases with retail and lobby spaces and expect continued coordination with the city.
