The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) is an

interpretive center An interpretation centre, interpretive centre, or visitor interpretive centre is an institution for dissemination of knowledge of natural or cultural heritage. Interpretation centres are a kind of new-style museum, often associated with visitor c ...

about several of the

National Historic Trail The National Trails System is a series of trails in the United States designated "to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nati ...

s and is located northwest of

Casper, Wyoming Casper is a city in, and the county seat of, Natrona County, Wyoming, United States. Casper is the second-largest city in the state, with the population at 59,038 as of the 2020 census. Only Cheyenne, the state capital, is larger. Casper is nic ...

Interstate 25 Interstate 25 (I-25) is a major Interstate Highway in the western United States. It is primarily a north–south highway, serving as the main route through New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. I-25 stretches from I-10 at Las Cruces, New Mexic ...

. It is operated through a partnership between the

Bureau of Land Management The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior responsible for administering federal lands. Headquartered in Washington DC, and with oversight over , it governs one eighth of the country's la ...

, the City of Casper, and the National Historic Trails Center Foundation. The center offers interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, and special events.

History

The idea for an interpretive center in Casper began with the creation of a small trails committee; eventually this committee became the non-profit, National Historic Trails Center Foundation (NHTCF). In 1992 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) joined with the NHTCF to work on the project, committing to pay half of the $10 million estimated cost. The city of Casper donated 10 acres of land for the center's site. In 1994, voters in Casper passed the Optional One Cent Tax, which helped fund construction of the center's exhibits. The Wyoming State Legislature also passed a bill to help fund the center that same year. By 1997 plans for the center were complete, and a bill to support construction and operating costs was signed into law by President

Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton ( né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and agai ...

. The groundbreaking for construction took place on June 21, 1999, and the center officially opened August 9, 2002. National Historic Trails Interpretive Center

National Historic Trails Interpretive Center

Exhibits

The center contains several permanent exhibits and hosts temporary, traveling, exhibits as well. Permanent exhibits are on the four trails that run together through Wyoming: * The Oregon Trail * The Mormon Pioneer Trail * The California Trail * The Pony Express Trail Entrance to the center is free.

References

External links

National Historic Trails Interpretive Center
- official site Oregon Trail Mormon Trail California Trail National Historic Trails of the United States Buildings and structures in Casper, Wyoming Museums in Natrona County, Wyoming American West museums in Wyoming Tourist attractions in Casper, Wyoming {{Wyoming-stub

History

Exhibits

See also

References

External links