Carbon County 250 Corner

Tim Nicklas

In 1976, a celebration swept across this great Nation of ours: the bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.  The Declaration, of course, was the origin of our Country.  

By Dana Davis    

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Bestselling Wyoming author C.J. Box greeted fans, signed stacks of books and shared details about the future of Joe Pickett during a recent appearance at the Grand Encampment Museum.

Carbon County 250 Corner

Lela Emmons

The Little Snake River Valley is gearing up for a summer of celebrations to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Local organizers are planning a series of events to commemorate the milestone, with events throughout the valley aimed at bringing the community together.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

On April 11 at the Hanna Basin Museum, those who visited got a treat from reenactors from the Platte Bridge Company based out of Casper.

The event was brought to the Hanna Basin Museum by Larry and Jane Benjamin. Jane is one of the founders of Platte Bridge Company, when she lived in Casper.

Carbon County 250 Corner

Angie Hobbs

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Tom Mensik, Carbon County Museum Director, has been looking at options for the two Carbon County Museums located in Rawlins to work together in a closer union.

The Old Penitentiary is one of the largest draws for visitors in the town. It has large grounds and is a masterpiece of large Western architecture. It is hard to miss Walnut Street.

Compiled by Dick Perue

Carbon County Comet Contributor

(Writer’s note: Years ago I helped organize and conduct one of the most memorable history treks taken during my life time of 90 years—that of the crossings of the might Upper North Platte River in the late 1800s and history of the Pick Ranch. Recent research produced a slideshow of that trek which will be shared with those attending the next “Tuesday Talks”.)

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The Carbon County Museum’s brand new interactive permanent exhibit is now open to the public.

It features an interactive timeline.

By Sheri Shillinger

Vice-President, Friends of the Old Pen

By Angie Hobbs

Director, Elk Mountain Museum

On March 7, the Elk Mountain Museum hosted its 4th Annual History and High Tea. It is a much anticipated event and this year’s was the best yet. We can’t thank Christine Neel and her staff enough for making the gorgeous dining room in the exquisite Historic Elk Mountain Hotel available for us to use.  

Carbon County 250 Corner

Tom Mensik

Press Release

Saratoga Historical & Cultural Association

A new director has been selected for the Saratoga/Ryan Park Museum, according to information posted on the Saratoga Historical & Cultural Assn. website.

The news release reads:

We would like to welcome to Saratoga our new Museum Director!

By Tina Hill

Director, Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Compiled with information provided by Tom Mensik

The Carbon County Museum reported record attendance, expanded public access to its collections and increased community engagement in 2025, according to its year-end newsletter.