Pinedale, WY High 68 Low 41
The Pinedale, WY region was at the heart of the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade, which supplied precious beaver pelts to the fashion industries of Europe and the eastern United States. Mountain men like Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Thomas Fitzpatrick and William Sublette carved their legends here, and opened the way for the pioneers of the Oregon Trail.
Pinedale is the perfect place for the Mountain Man Museum.
I have to say, this was one of the most interesting museums we have visited. It definitely ranks in my top 5. However, we only had 1/2 an hour before they closed so we whipped through in a big hurry and we’ll have to go back again because we missed so much.
I’m going to share a few pictures with you but you really need to visit this one yourself if you are anywhere close.
The prized beaver hat. Fashionable from 1550 –1850 because the material could be easily combed to make a variety of hat shapes. The demand for beaver pelts drove the animal to near extinction. The popularity of the beaver hat declined in the earl 19th century as silk hats became the vogue.
Jim Bridger’s rifle.
Several beautiful bronze sculptures.
More Winchester rifles in one place than Jim has ever seen. This is just a small portion of them.
Jim especially liked this one with the gold barrel.
War bonnet.
This is just a small sample of a great little museum.
You guys keep making my bucket list longer.
ReplyDeleteWow - my husband would love this one!
ReplyDeleteI love historical museums. To bad you didn't have more time. Looks like something I'd like to see
ReplyDeleteI may need to go that way on my days off. I almost bought a beaver jacket once, it was very soft and warm.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely keep that museum in mind for future visits. Looks like an interesting place.
ReplyDeleteWe were in the direction of this and I don't know why we changed direction and passed it up. I'm adding it to my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteI never knew this type of museum even existed. How cool. I would have never survived back then!
ReplyDeleteYou know that John would want to spend a day in there! Great information.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this fun adventure with us.
ReplyDeleteYou and Jim might enjoy the "Centennial Series". All about trappers and people survived as the west was being discovered. I have the DVDs--Need to watch it, again, one day. Robert Conrad, Richard Chamberlain, etc. Well worth the read and though the aging makeup is not the greatest, I loved watching it. I'm betting there will be a remake of it.
ReplyDeleteA very good friend of ours, Gerry Cavanaugh, lived near Pinedale and when we visited him many years ago the Museum was on our list of places to visit. Other things came up and we missed it and it looks like it was our loss.
ReplyDeleteHave fun out there.
BTW; The margaritas could have used a little more tequila, but were still great.
That top hat - very interesting that it was made from a beaver. I never would have guessed.
ReplyDeleteWill put this on the list...looks like fun and I'm sure to learn a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandie!
I can see why you enjoyed it. It's right down your alley and also I think we would certainly enjoy it too.
ReplyDeleteYou find the neatest places!
ReplyDeleteI also have to agree that it ranks up there with my favorite museums. A real must see.
ReplyDelete