Fascination with the Yellowstone area began with the first trappers' incredulous tales of gushing geysers and gurgling mud pots. Since being established as the world's first National Park in1872, curious travelers have ventured from every corner of the world to experience this place called "Wonderland." Our museum offers exhibits which interpret the heritage of travel to Yellowstone. The Museum features interactive displays, rare artifacts, weekly educational programs, guest speakers, daily films, and guided walking tours of the historic district. We invite you to join us when you visit West Yellowstone! A Museum Inside the Depot From 1972 to 2000, West Yellowstone's Union Pacific Depot housed the Museum of the Yellowstone (originally called the West Yellowstone Museum), a privately owned museum which interpreted the human and natural history of the Yellowstone region and featured Western Americana artifacts. In 2000, management of the museum came to YHC through a generous donation of their business and a variety of their displays by the owners of the Museum of the Yellowstone. The focus of the new museum reflected the mission of YHC - interpreting the heritage of West Yellowstone and telling the story of travel to Yellowstone National Park. YHC's staff and volunteers restored the interior of the depot to its original layout and designed and built new displays. In July 2001, after extensive repairs to the roof and ceiling, YHC opened the new museum to the public with a new name- the Yellowstone Historic Center Museum.
YHC operates the Museum seasonally from mid-May to mid-October, as the original depot building was designed and constructed to only be used during the summer season. Since its 2001 opening, many of the exhibits and displays have changed to ensure the YHC can continue to attract a wide variety of repeat and new visitors each season. Each year, the Museum attracts over 20,000 local, regional, national, and international guests.