Explore more than 10,000 square feet of historical exhibits.

Homesteader Museum located in Powell, Wyoming, presents over 50 years of local homesteading, community development, and family stories that make the Big Horn Basin a prime example of the U.S. Reclamation Acts role in settling the West. The town of Powell is named after John Wesley Powell, the United States Explorer and Engineer who championed dam, diversion and irrigation systems in the arid Rocky Mountain West.

Take a Step Back in Time

The town of Powell became home to one of the earliest Bureau of Reclamation Projects in the United States. Known as the Shoshone Reclamation Project of 1904, the Big Horn Basin is home to a large federally funded irrigation and homesteading project in the Rocky Mountain West. 

Through our collection of artifacts, historic buildings, oral histories, and photographs; the Homesteader Museum offers an insightful peek into the rugged homesteading life of the early Big Horn Basin pioneer. 

As a nonprofit museum, we use our resources to preserve, educate, and share the history of homesteading life in the Garden Spot of Wyoming.

Experience one of the best hidden treasures in Wyoming

Powell has a rich history of agriculture and entrepreneurship. Showcasing homesteader dedication and resourcefulness of the four Shoshone Project Divisions in the area is the museum’s pride and joy.

What Our Visitors Have Said

An absolute treasure! A wonderful museum. Don't miss a chance to see it!

Mary CollinsMuseum Visitor

A very nice local museum with an intimate feel for history of the Big Horn Basin.

John CampbellMuseum Visitor

Very cute little museum. They are also active in the community. My niece and sister loved their trick or treat event a couple of years back and we really enjoyed Homesteader Days today!

Nicole ComerMuseum Visitor
Explore Our Rich History

Come Visit The Homesteader Museum

As a nonprofit museum, we use our resources to preserve, educate, and share the history of homesteading life in the Garden Spot of Wyoming.

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