National Historic Trails Interpretive Center

National Historic Trails Interpretive Center
Established	2002
Location	1501 North Poplar Street; Casper, Wyoming,; United States
Type	Interpretive Center
Website	Official website

The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) is a 11,000-square-foot (1,000 m²) interpretive center^[1] about several of the National Historic Trails and is located northwest of Casper, Wyoming on Interstate 25. It is operated through a partnership between the Bureau of Land Management, the City of Casper, and the National Historic Trails Center Foundation. The center offers interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, and special events.^[2]

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.^[3]

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.^[3]

The groundbreaking for construction took place on June 21, 1999, and the center officially opened August 9, 2002.^[3]

The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center designed by Line and Space Architects sits high above Wyoming's North Platte River, commanding views of major historic trails.

Exhibits[]

The center contains several permanent exhibits and hosts temporary, traveling, exhibits as well.^[4]

Permanent exhibits are on the four trails that run together through Wyoming:

Entrance to the center is free.^[2]

References[]

^ "National Historic Trails Interpretive Center". Hands on the Land Network. 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
^ ^a ^b "Trails Center". Bureau of Land Management. 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
^ ^a ^b ^c "History of the Center & Partnerships". Bureau of Land Management. 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
^ "Temporary Exhibits". Bureau of Land Management. 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2010-09-29.