museum23aPerfectly located in the center of what was the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous system, the museum’s collections will draw you into the romantic era of the 1800’s Mountain Man. Opened in 1990, the Museum of the Mountain Man has gained a national reputation for its interpretation of one of America’s legendary eras, the adventurous fur trade. In addition to noteworthy exhibits, the museum offers educational programs and experiential learning opportunities for all ages. Visiting scholars deliver engaging presentations and hands-on demonstrations that explore and define the history of the mountain man, Plains Indian culture and the area’s natural history.

The Museum’s permanent collection includes unique items such as a 40 caliber half-stock rifle engraved J. Bridger 1853,  presented to him by his good friend and business partner Louis Vasquez. A life-size diorama of the grizzly attack scene from Hollywood film, The Revenant, which told the story of Mountain Man Hugh Glass, dominates the gallery, along with a full-scale replica of American Horse’s tipi, which stands in the center rotunda of the museum’s main exhibit gallery. The 20′ diameter, brain-tanned buffalo hide tipi is one of the few buffalo-hide tipis in existence today. The Museum’s Shoshone sheephorn bow is one of the oldest authenticated, and was probably made using stone tools. It dates to 1690 – 1730 and is approximately 34 inches long.

Living History Days: each year in May, hundreds of school children come to the Museum to learn from talks and demonstrations by members of the American Mountain Men. Stations include demonstrations on black powder firearms, Native American sign language, beaver skinning, constructing tipis and shelters, trade goods, and much more!

Green River Rendezvous Days: always the 2nd full weekend in July, the Museum hosts speakers, tours and demonstrations by the American Mountain Men. The annual volume of the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Journal is released during this time.