The Museum Building

The building that now houses the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum was originally the Servicemen's Club for enlisted personnel. It is the most interesting of the approximately 100 Second World War buildings that are still perserved at the airport.

It contains 15 wall murals that depict aspects of Wyoming history. The murals were painted over an eight month periord by four enlistd men, only one of which had some previous training in art. The murals were dedicated in June 1944.

All four men, prior to painting, conducted historic research at the local library. No one was a Wyoming native. Because no paint was available, the men made their own from combining materials such as red soil with a fixative.

Repair work and refurbishing of the museum building was conducted during 2003 and 2004, with the use of money contributed by the Natrona County One Cent Sales Tax Commision.

When the building was originally built in 1942, it was considered to have a life span of five years. Repair work on both the interior and exterior of the building has included the installation of new insulation, installation of a new ceiling using the same type celotex as the original, new windows and doors, and replacement of the old electric wiring.

All of the steel siding, which was put on the building long after it had been given to Natrona County, was removed. The original cedar wood siding on the building was exposed and painted, preserving the original color.

Repair and refurbishing of the building will continue through 2004, all of which has been carried out with the goal of preserving the historical integrity of the building. For example, all of the replaced windows and doors resemble the original in style and all repainting is of the same color as the original. It is important that the integrity of the building be preserved so that it remains listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Want to learn more?

Museum Telephone (307) 472-1857