New history museum is in design stage…here’s how you can help

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum (JHHSM) staff, board members, and community stakeholders have been quietly hard at work on plans for a new History Museum & Campus.

Remember, back in 2019, during the Jackson Hole Land Trust’s “Save the Block” campaign, JHHSM was able to finally find its forever home on the Van Vleck block. Voters agreed and backed the move during the November 2019 Special Purpose Excise Tax, approving a SPET tax to partially support the project.

In October 2020, the museum completed the purchase of the lot on the southeast corner of the historic block. Also that fall, JHHSM teamed up with their design team—professionals in the field that include HGA, a national design firm in partnership with local architecture firm Prospect Studio, and exhibit designer Gallagher & Associates—to begin planning the new History Museum & Campus.

Now it’s time to see what they’ve been working on, and get some valuable community feedback.

A public input session will take place Tuesday, August 24, from noon to 1pm. Register online to attend.

The upcoming virtual input session will include short online presentations by lead architect Joan Soranno, with exhibit designer Patrick Gallagher, and JHHSM executive director Morgan Jaouen. After viewing initial schematics, attendees will be asked to make brief responses on digital sticky notes and discussion will follow.

“Part of our vision at the museum is to support a community brought together, enriched, and strengthened by compelling connections to the history and legacy of Jackson Hole. So, hearing from local community members is an important step in building a new home for history,” Jaouen said.

All attendees will be thanked with a free pass to the current museum for use in 2021.