News – Sheridan Media
The new Interpretive Center at Fort Phil Kearny is designed to showcase the main artifact, which is the landscape around the site of the old fort. On Saturday, May 17, around 150 people attended the ribbon cutting celebrating the new center.
Misty Moore, NE WY District Manager for Wyoming State Parks, opened the event with a thank you to those attending, saying she hoped for standing room only and that goal was achieved.
Wayne Booze, Dave McKee, Governor Mark Gordon and Dave Glenn.
Moore introduced of each of the special speakers at the event. Speakers were Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon; Dave Glenn, Director, Wyoming State Parks and Culture Resources; Wayne Booze, a Program Officer for the Helmsley Charitable Trust and Dave McKee, President, Bozeman Trail/Fort Phil Kearny Association.
Moore said that in many museums have artifacts on display, but at Fort Phil Kearny, the landscape around the fort is the artifact. The new Center, with large windows looking out toward the Bighorn Mountains, was built to take in that landscape.
She added that during the 1930s, a New Deal cabin was built to be the interpretive center, because several people felt the story at the fort was worth preserving. Moore said that many of those attending shared this vision.
Dave Glenn spoke about the new center and the fort. He said that several organizations, including the Bozeman Trail/Fort Phil Kearny Association; Buffalo and Sheridan Chamber of Commerce; Wyoming Travel and Tourism, and Wyoming Game and Fish, all came together.
Wayne Booze, Helmsley Charitable Trust, talked about their contribution to the new center at the fort.
Dave McKee said he wanted to express his gratitude to those who made the new Interpretive Center possible.
He introduced Sonny Reisch, who served as the first site superintendent and Mary Ellen McWilliams, one of the founders of the BTA/FPK Association, along with Bozeman Trail historian Mark Badgett. He also introduced Susan Badger Doyle, author of “Journeys to the Land of Gold,” who is holding a program on Sunday, May 18 at the Fort.
Govenor Mark Gordon took the stage, and commented on the new addition, and some of the history of the area.
Concluding the event, the Buffalo and Sheridan Chambers of Commerce were on hand for the ribbon cutting, with two ribbons. Sharie Shada, Fort Phil Kearny Site Superintendent, and Gov. Gordon were given the honor of cutting the ribbons, celebrating the opening of the new Fort Phil Kearny Interpretive Center.
Afterward, attendees were welcome to tour the grounds of the fort and partake of the refreshments offered.
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Last modified: May 19, 2025