grand encampment museum

I have a friend that travels a lot. He and I like a lot of the same things. We will look for historical places but we also like the odd and somewhat peculiar things as well. When I can't go with him, I will look and try to find interesting, inexpensive things for him to see and do along or slightly off his route. He had to make a trip from Kansas City to Portland. We share a fondness for outhouses, so I found online about the two-story outhouse. When the web page said "more than just a two-story outhouse", I was intrigued and read more. I did relay to him that it would be slightly off his route, but I thought he ought to go check it out since he had the time to do so. I told him that if I were with him this would be the place I would like to go. I sent him the address and he went. He LOVED it!! He sent pictures of the outhouse, the buildings, and the area. A young man gave him a tour of the museum. He was very complimentary of the young man and his knowledge of the history of the area. He was polite and extremely friendly. There was no fee for the tour, but a donation was suggested, which was well worth any donation he gave. He spent hours there!! We are already planning on going back so I can go with him and see it as well. He was a little disappointed however, in the gift shop. He would like to have purchased some more items from there, but the selection just wasn't there. He recommends it hands down to anyone who loves history..and outhouses!! It definitely is "More than just a two-story outhouse!!"

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this museum in the middle of, well almost nowhere. They have a great number of items and it is all put together in a fantastic manner -- almost telling a story as you walk through the area. Be sure to take the tour -- it then really is a story!They also do a Living History day during the summer. If you can time your visit to coincide with this event you really should do it!There is no fee, but they do keep the doors open through donations.

Do not leave the area, without stopping by this museum. They have a newer vistor center that has many displays on the history of ranching, mining, logging and of course the original native people. When we were there they had a tour group of children that were enjoying themselves. The main building has restrooms, and many displays. Photos of Hereford cattle (the way they used to look) were pretty neat. Outside are several buildings. Ask for a guide so you are able to look inside.The two story outhouse was certainly a conversation piece. It is something that you will probably want to take a photo of. They even sell t shirts with a drawing of it! There were three original towers from a 16-mi-long aerial tramway built in 1903 to transport copper ore from mines in the Sierra Madres. Mining was a very important part of Encampment's history. FREE ADMISSION.

Great history of the area and free with tours or you can look around on your own. We joined another tour and then looked around on our own. The high school junior that was our short term guide was very knowledgeable!

Several historic buildings have been moved from nearby sites, depicting life around the turn of the 20th century when Encampment was primarily a mining/ranching town. Most interesting is a portion of a aerial tram that transferred copper ore from the mine high on the Continental Divide for smelting and transfer. The two-story outhouse, built in an area of huge annual snowfalls, will bring a chuckle. The amount of time and energy given by the local townsfolk in maintaining this gem is very impressive. The buildings are well maintained and immaculate, and the knowledgeable and informative guides make this visit memorable.

The small town of Encampment is home to this well-kept community museum with a little bit of everything related to western history. The site has a new visitor center, nicely kept grounds,and many well maintained historic buildings. While all the buildings are locked, we were soon asked while in the visitor center if we wanted a guided tour. If you are asked- say yes! The young guides allow you to view each interior at your leisure, offering bits of history, and answering any question you ask. The buildings all have a wooden 'sidewalk' outside, providing a fairly level surface for walking for any in your group with stability issues, but there is a concern with access into some of the buildings due to steps and lintels. We learned that local residents donated personal items generously- everything from military uniforms to kitchenware in an old homestead house moved from it's original location in the area.The site features many different types of original historic structures, including an old Forest Service ranger station and fire tower, a livery with a covered wagon and model T, part of the original structure from a 16-mile long aerial tram used to transport copper ore to a smelter, and a doctor's office with all the (gulp) original tools of the trade.While there is no charge for the museum, they do accept donations.

Well worth your trip to Encampment, about 15 miles south of Saratoga. I have never seen such an interesting collection of western memorabilia and items!

Interesting exposure to the early days of the area. Very friendly staff...proud of the heritage of lumbering and mountain men. A low keyed, fun visit.

After driving through the dusty, fairly run-down town of Encampment, we were pleasantly surprised to see this museum. A fancy new visitor center, watered grass, and water fountains (a necessity in the August heat). The museum is free, but donations are accepted. We just started walking around, looking at the old historic buildings, but you can't go inside them unless you're on a (free) tour. So we joined a tour guide with a wonderful and interesting ancient cowboy as our guide. The interior of the buildings contain a lot of old artifacts, and we learned a nugget or two in each one. Our favorites were the dentist office, the two-story outhouse (with fur on the ladies' toilet seat!), and the mining displays. Even our kids (11 and 12) liked it!

You can get the real experience of how hardy the early men and women were to face this hard land and build something with hard work. No handouts here. Whiners were sent home.

The Grand Encampment Museum is an amazing example of what a small community can accomplish when they put their mind to it. The Museum staff has preserved many historic building that would have been otherwise lost. Each of the buildings has been restored, or at least stabilized and they have been furnished with equipment and artifacts appropriate to the period. The staff conducts tours of the site and they are experienced and knowledgeable about the local area, as well as the Museum. It is well worth the time to take a side trip to Encampment to visit this facility.

This wonderful museum in southern, Wyoming is a real special place. You feel like you have walked back into time. Built around the story of an amazing copper mining boom, smelter and 16 mile tram, it also shows homes, businesses, equipment and a two story outhouse. It is a must see place.