Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site — Attraction in Laramie

I'll admit that I first visited here after seeing a billboard on I-80 with Butch Cassidy's mugshot. As a fan of the 1969 film starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, I figured this would be a fun excursion. There's a great display about Butch and the Wild Bunch, but there's also so much more. When you enter, the guide gives you a piece of paper with the mugshot and some background on one of the inmates, encouraging you to find them in the prison. Opposite the cells are enlargements of the mugshots corresponding to these pieces of paper with information about the inmate, their background, their crime, and what's known about their life following release. The museum also discusses theories of prison reform, including the Auburn system, with information about how various territorial governors and wardens attempted to implement it. For me, the highlight was the broom-making tools in the Prison Industries Building. At my summer job, I make brooms for a different museum and it was interesting to see what equipment the Wyoming Territorial Prison was using and how they were different, being about 40 years after the tools I use. For those unfamiliar with broom construction, there's a helpful video explaining how this equipment works. Outside of the prison walls is a mock-up of a frontier town. It was closed on the day I visited, but I still enjoyed peeking in the windows. The 1910 Horse Barn explains how the property was later used by the University of Wyoming as an Experimental Station for livestock. Various displays demonstrate different aspects of livestock care, including horse shoeing and the equipage for using draft animals. A printing press is also on display for those interested in the history of movable type. I took a self-guided tour and spent about two hours going through the site. Plan to take your time and allow yourself to experience what this historic site...

I swore I would never have my wedding reception in a prison and then I saw the horsebarn inside the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historical site. O literally teared up. It is SO Beautiful. Deborah and her staff were above and beyond helpful, especially with a little lost ring mishap that occurred. The cost is EXTREMELY affordable and includes tours of the site for your guests, which is really helpful to your stress level. The only complaint I would have is because it is a historic site the paperwork took for-ev-er. I started trying to book this site at the end of April and didn't get final confirmation Until a week before my July wedding. I also had to change insurance companies because the requirement turned out to be different I the specifics than what the paperwork said. (Paperwork said $500,000 per occurance, the board wanted $500,000 on a specific line in the paperwork.) Adena was a life saver with the paperwork and helped me make it work! The staff made any headache manageable and no headache seems like it was worse than one would have with any other venue. Didn't get my pics back yet but am including a few...

We happened upon the Territorial Prison by accident. What an amazing find. from the actual grounds to the restored buildings to the old-time Homestead and old western storefront it is amazing place to visit and you can dive head-first into a little bit of Old West history. the prison gives you a really good idea of how horrible it must have been to be in jail back in the late 19th century. the museum has many amazing displays that feature artifacts and great write-ups about different people and things that happened at the jail. You can even stand inside of a cell and get your picture taken. make sure you check out the settlers Homestead which is on the further end of the property to give you a real idea of what Frontier living was all about. The Visitor Center has a nice little gift shop with some really cool affordable items. This site is run by the Wyoming parks department and they do a really good job. if you're anywhere near Laramie it's definitely worth the visit and expect to spend at least 2...