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HISTORY
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High Plains Western Heritage Center
contains a 5-State Regional Museum founded to honor the Old West Pioneers
and the Native Americans of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and
Nebraska. Western Artifacts, Western Art, Live Animals and Family
History Displays are used as a determinant of Historical Events.
Two ranchers, Harry Blair and Edgar
Gardner, were Founders of the Heritage Center. In the mid 1970's, they
were concerned that the History of Settlement of the
5-State High Plains Region would not be preserved, so the area Ranchers got busy.
Five categories of Pioneering were
chosen to be honored: Agriculture, Mining, Transportation, Logging,
and Native American Lore. | |
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Starting in 1974, through Donations and
Fundraising efforts, monies were accrued to Purchase Land and start Building the
Structure. On September 1, 1989, a Grand Opening Ceremony took place. The
Building has been Open Continuously since that Date.
High Plains Western Heritage Center is a private,
Non-profit Organization, staffed
primarily by Volunteers. Over 50 local Men and Women donate their time helping with the
Admissions' desk and the Bookstore. Others do Clerical work, Maintenance and assist with
Special Events.
Many Individuals and Businesses from the area contribute time, labor, materials and money. A summertime
Small-Animal Farm, beautiful Lawn and a cleared Drive in the Winter, allow the Center to be
Open Year-Round (9-5). Grain and Hay are donated to feed the live Buffalo and
Longhorn Steers, which are displayed permanently in the Front Pasture. |
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Contributions in recent years have allowed the Center to have a spacious
Theatre, complete with Sound System, a Transportation Room that includes a Stagecoach,
Chuckwagon, "Tally Ho" Wagon, Buggies, and Sleighs. On the 40-acre site, Outside,
Displays include a furnished One-Room Schoolhouse, furnished Log Homestead Cabin and
Antique Farm Equipment.
The Center includes over 20,000 sq. ft. of
Presentation featuring a wide range of Western Artifacts including displays that honor the Native American, the
Cattle and Sheep Industry, Blacksmithing, Saddle Making, Natural History, Mining,
Forestry and of course the Cowboy and Rodeo. The High Plains Western Heritage Center currently provides a
Community Forum for Entertainment and Education. The Mission is to oversee the
On-Going Historical Preservation of this Region of the American West. | | |
