outside the original log cabin Museum, 1950
From it's humble beginnings, the Buffalo Bill Museum has evolved into the Buffalo Bill Historical Center including the Buffalo Bill Museum itself, the Cody Firearms Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Draper Museum of Natural History, the McCracken Research Library, and a gift shop selling Cody Family books. The Center is now affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute.
One of our Cody Family relatives, Mary Jester Allan(145/61), eloquently wrote about how the Cody Family became founders of the Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum. She wrote the following in the 1941 Cody Family Directory – Handbook.|
On Decoration Day of 1915 an idea was born. My uncle, Colonel William
F. Cody, spent the day with me in Seattle, Washington. With many old
friends gathered around the hearth we lived again in song and story those
colorful days of the old West. An old army comrade asked the Colonel in
what way he would like his memory kept fresh for posterity. Like a flash
came Uncle Will’s reply, “teaching the youth by seeing history.” Those present
pledged to carry out the plans.
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She continued to write:
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The Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum at Cody, Wyoming, ranks above anything
of its kind in America; we are a member of the American Association of
Museums. The Cody Family can be proud of its work well done; we have done
our part in carrying out Colonel Cody’s wish of “teaching the youth by
seeing history.” You should have more than a passing interest in this
Museum; you should be impressed with your share and interest in it; we all
have a share in it, and by our support in giving it more relics, family and
otherwise, giving it desirable publicity, and going to visit it, we can help each
in our individual way to “see history”.
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With our Family history in mind, we come once again to the Family seeking inspiration, commitment and funding honoring William Frederick Cody’s wishes and legacy.
In May 2012, visitors will encounter an American icon, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, in an entirely new way. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center will proudly open a brand “new” Buffalo Bill Museum. Through authentic artifacts, state-of-the-art exhibits, engaging inter-actives, and a compelling story about the life and legacy of William F. Cody, the “new” Buffalo Bill Museum will truly become a museum of the twenty-first century.
The new museum will invite visitors to explore the many facets of a unique individual – William F. Cody, the man, and “Buffalo Bill,” the showman. Through the persona of “Buffalo Bill” – and his traveling show, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West – Cody brought the West to the world and the world to the West.
The “new” Buffalo Bill Museum will tell this great American story and will keep the Spirit of the American West alive for generations to come.
We invite you to join us in preserving the spirit of the American West as we create a new Buffalo Bill Museum so that you, and many others like you, can encounter an American icon again or for the very first time. Your financial gifts will make it possible for thousands of visitors from around the world to experience the West that William F. Cody knew and loved.
A donation of any size is most welcome. You may make it in your name, your family’s name or in the name of The International Cody Family Association. A plaque in the museum will recognize donations of $1,000 and above. For example, you may donate $200 for 5 years by making arrangements with Wendy Schneider whose contact information is below. You may also make your donation in the name of the ICFA thus helping the ICFA and/or the Cody Family, once again, become acclaimed as contributors to the museum. Once you go to the BBHC web site, please check the box indicating you are a member of the Cody Family or Friend of the Cody Family.
- Donor Recognition Opportunities
- Signature Benefactor..............................$250,000 +
- Major Benefactor....................................$100,000 - $249,999
- Benefactor.............................................$50,000 - $99,999
- Supporting Benefactor.............................$25,000 - $49,999
- Contributor.............................................$5,000 - $24,999
- Supporter...............................................$1,000 - $4,999
Please contact Wendy Schneider
