August 9, 2021
NATIONAL BUFFALO MUSEUM
500 17th St SE, Jamestown, ND 58401
“Log building displaying Native American art & artifacts with a buffalo herd on the grounds.” Wikipedia
When I first read the Wikipedia description above I felt they were selling this museum a little short, but in retrospect, they are exactly correct. However, this small museum does a good job of telling the story of the American Bison’s origins and prosperity, then dwindling to near extinction due to the reckless hunting of men in the late 1800s, and the work that has seen a resurgence in the bison population.
The bison is deeply entrenched in the history of Native Americans and the museum contains artifacts, such as tools made from bison bones, used in the everyday life of the Native American people. Also on display were some beautiful pieces of art with bison themes.
A Hall of Fame honors those people past and present who have played a significant role in saving the bison from extinction. Theodore Roosevelt was one of the first inductees. Ted Turner, whose herd across 14 ranches is comprised of approximately 45,000 bison, is also a member of the HoF.
A small herd of bison occupied the field outside of the museum.
On the road leading to the museum the city of Jamestown has erected a village consisting of original buildings from the frontier villages of North Dakota. Near the village is the World’s Largest Buffalo.
I'm glad I saw this explanation of is it bison or buffalo?
Hard to see because of the glare, but the display contains clothing used by frontiersmen made from bison hide.
The American Bison Hall of Fame
An interesting piece of art work.
Another piece of art work.
Containing a lot of information, but I sometimes thought the displays looked like they were made for a middle school history fair.
Some of the natural predators of the bison.
White Cloud, a white buffalo that called the museum grounds home for several years.
This piece of art work really caught my eye in the gift shop. Not that I have the $1325 to purchase it, but I was thankful I live in an RV and thus could temper my desire to purchase it.
Loved this sign next to the field with the museum's bison herd.
The Frontier Village and World’s Largest Buffalo
Part of the frontier village
The barber shop
The printing press.
A small building honoring hometown writer, Louis L'Amour.
A collection of Louis L'Amour paperbacks.
This brought a smile to my face for some reason.
The World's Largest Buffalo
