Contact: Misty Moore, 307-620-0331; misty.moore@wyo.gov

Wyoming State Parks Announces Fort Phil Kearny Interpretive Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

BANNER, Wyo. – April 28, 2025– Made possible by a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources is proud to announce a public ribbon-cutting event for the new Interpretive Center at Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site on May 17, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. This significant occasion marks the completion of an enduring commitment to promoting understanding of the dramatic events of Red Cloud’s War against the Bozeman Trail Forts. Attendance is free and open to the public.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Fort Phil Kearny Interpretive Center, a remarkable addition to our State Parks that will enhance our understanding of this area's rich history,” said Dave Glenn, director of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. “The Center launches visitors into the landscape that shaped the wild narratives of the Indian Wars. We invite everyone to join us in this celebration and explore the Center's many educational opportunities."

The Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Rural Healthcare program is committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural America. Spending time outdoors is keenly important to both physical and mental health. “The Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site holds a significant cultural and historical value,” said Walter Panzirer, a trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “We are excited to celebrate the opening of this interpretive center that will foster community, share essential perspectives, and create opportunities to better understand Wyoming's history for years to come.”

The event will allow community members and history enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the opening of the new Interpretive Center. At 11:30 a.m., event attendees will be welcomed to the new Center with remarks from Governor Mark Gordon and representatives from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the Bozeman Trail Association, and Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and photo opportunities will occur at 11:55 a.m., followed by refreshments and guided facility tours.

The Fort Phil Kearny Interpretive Center has been developed to launch visitors into the site's primary “artifact” - the landscape.  Two major Indian Wars battle sites and the location of the largest stockaded fort in the West are interpreted across twelve hundred acres in the breathtaking Piney Creek Valley.  In the coming year, the Center will house permanent exhibits on Red Cloud’s War and the significance of Fort Phil Kearny during crucial moments in the story of the American West.  At the May 17 event, temporary exhibits will be displayed, providing further insights into the region's historical and cultural heritage.

This event is made possible through the generous support of the Helmsley Charitable Trust and other valued community partners. For more information about the Interpretive Center and its offerings, please contact Wyoming State Parks' District Manager Misty Moore at 307-620-0331 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Join us in celebrating this exciting addition to our community and our ongoing commitment to preserving our shared history. Learn more about Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site at wyoparks.wyo.gov.

  

Figure 1: A photograph of the inside of the new Interpretive Center at Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site. Figure 2: A graphic for the public ribbon-cutting event for the new Interpretive Center at Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site. 

Contact: Misty Moore, 307-620-0331; misty.moore@wyo.gov