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Historic Wyoming Frontier Prison directors ask Rawlins for help maintaining site; flag irrigation failure and rising visitation
Summary
Tina Hill and Old Penn Joint Powers Board staff briefed council on operations at the Wyoming Frontier Prison historic site, reporting visitor numbers, revenue sources and a failing irrigation system that needs repair to protect trees, landscaping and the event lawn. They said tour revenues account for roughly 61% of operating revenue and asked the city to note the site’s needs while they pursue grants.
Tina Hill, historic site director for the Wyoming Frontier Prison (presented by the Old Penn Joint Powers Board), updated Rawlins City Council on Nov. 18 about operations, visitation and near‑term needs for the 130‑year‑old site. Hill said the site functions as a museum, educational resource and event venue and reported visitor totals from the site packet: 14,953 visitors in 2024 (an increase of 233 from 2023) and roughly 10,876 visitors who came from outside Carbon County.
Hill described the site’s revenue mix for the year shown in the packet: tour revenue at about 61.44% of operating revenue, the City of Rawlins contributing about 10.28%, Carbon County about 18.59% and grants making up the remainder (roughly 9.69%). She said the site operates with a small staff and many seasonal volunteers who support events such as the annual Halloween programming and a newly opened disc‑golf course.
The directors flagged an urgent maintenance need: the site’s aging irrigation system has begun to fail in areas, and without repairs next spring they risk damage to trees, landscaped areas and the event lawn that support tourism and educational events. Hill said the board is exploring repair options and will likely need additional support to make the system reliable.
Council members thanked the board for the update and for partnering on events. Hill noted that Old Penn is preparing a grant application to produce a short film for a state project; she also described partnerships with regional museum associations and the Carbon County Tourist Committee.
The council did not take immediate fiscal action on the maintenance need at the Nov. 18 meeting; Hill said the board will continue to pursue grants and local support.
