About the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, is one of the most significant cultural institutions in the American West — so comprehensive that it is often called "the Smithsonian of the West." Tracing its origins to the Buffalo Bill Memorial Association founded in 1917, two years after the death of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the Center has grown into a sprawling complex that brings together five distinct museums and a major research library under a single roof.
The Center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Its campus sits at 720 Sheridan Avenue in Cody, the town Buffalo Bill himself helped found, near the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park.
The Five Museums
Each of the Center's museums explores a different facet of the West, and together they tell the story of the region's history, peoples, art, and natural environment:
- Buffalo Bill Museum — documents the life of William F. Cody and the era of the Wild West shows that carried his name around the world.
- Plains Indian Museum — one of the country's largest collections devoted to the cultures, art, and history of the Plains Indian peoples.
- Whitney Western Art Museum — fine art of the American West, including works by Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell, and other major painters and sculptors.
- Draper Natural History Museum — explores the ecology and natural environment of the Greater Yellowstone region.
- Cody Firearms Museum — holds one of the most comprehensive collections of American firearms in the world, tracing the technology and craftsmanship of arms-making across centuries.
The Center also houses the McCracken Research Library, a resource for scholars, genealogists, and anyone researching the history of the American West, with archival photographs, manuscripts, and rare publications.
Planning Your Visit
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is located in downtown Cody, roughly an hour's drive from the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, making it a natural stop for travelers exploring the region. Because the campus spans five museums, many visitors find that a single admission ticket is valid for two consecutive days, allowing time to take in the full scope of the collections. For current hours, admission rates, and special exhibitions, see the Center's official website at centerofthewest.org.
Explore Wyoming's Historical Landscape
Use the When It Was app to discover historical businesses, landmarks, and buildings throughout Wyoming. See how your community has transformed over the decades.
Explore When It Was →