Laurel Foster, Author at Hoofprints of the Past Museum

Christmas Open House

December 5, 2023 by Laurel Foster

On November 12th the museum held a successful open house with many visitors. We sold some great Christmas gifts from our gift shop and enjoyed seeing our friends and supporters. Thank you for all the support!

Gift Shop Adds Another Local Artist

October 6, 2023 by Laurel Foster

Our museum gift shop recently added many beautiful items from artist Mary Cunningham, former Kaycee resident for many years. We hope you stop in and take a look. These are perfect for gifts or just to treat yourself.

Beautiful Day on the Bozeman Trail Tour

September 18, 2023 by Laurel Foster

We enjoyed a beautiful day on Powder River east of Kaycee seeing the sites of the Bozeman Trail and other early frontier sites. Thank you to all who attended in support of the museum, and all the landowners, speakers, and volunteers who made the day possible. Thank you!

Johnson County War Tour a Success

August 18, 2023 by Laurel Foster

Thank you to everyone who attended our 2023 Johnson County War tour, and thank you to all the landowners, volunteers, and speakers who made it possible. It was a fun day and we really appreciated meeting everyone and all the support. Thank you!

Bozeman Trail Tour

April 4, 2023 by Laurel Foster

The Bozeman Trail passed through the Powder River area east of Kaycee for only a short time, but this area was the stage where early explorers, travelers, trappers, the US military, the Indian Wars, and even missionaries played their part in Western expansion. The fascinating and little-known history of these people and events will be shared by knowledgeable local historians as you travel by bus eastward from Kaycee through the Powder River Country. The tour will be held on September 13th, 2025.

Some of the famous sites and events explored on this guided historical tour include:

1834 Portuguese Fort of Antonio Montero, trapper
German Lutheran Mission Station where missionaries attempted to minister to natives
The Bozeman Trail
The Townsend Wagon Train Fight along the Bozeman Trail
US Military Cantonment Reno and Fort Reno sites
Cattle Baron Moreton Frewen’s “Castle” site at 76 Ranch Headquarters
Notable Homestead Sites and Community Sites

Tour Cost is $95 per person, which includes lunch at Fort Reno, and begins in Kaycee at 8:30 AM. Registration is required in advance and space is limited on the bus, so sign up early.

You can register for the tour here:

Bozeman Tour Registration Form

Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Phone*
Email*
Bozeman Trail of Powder River Quantity
Price: $95.00
Total
$0.00
Release of Liability
Release of Liability
In consideration for being allowed to participate in the Historical Tour conducted by Hoofprints of the Past Museum, of 344 Nolan Ave., Kaycee, Wyoming, 82639 at the museum and all areas where the tour is conducted I agree for myself and (if applicable) for my traveling companions, to the following:

1. AGREEMENT TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. I agree to observe and obey all written rules and warnings regarding the tour, and further agree to follow any oral instructions or directions given by Hoofprints of the Past Museum, or the employees, representatives or agents of Hoofprints of the Past Museum for the duration of the tour. I also agree as directed on the tour registration and confirmation letter, not to bring a dog on the tour.

2. ASSUMPTION OF THE RISKS AND RELEASE. I recognize that there are certain inherent risks, known and unknown, associated with participation in the tour, and I assume full responsibility for illness, personal injury or death to myself and (if applicable) my travel companions, and further release and discharge Hoofprints of the Past Museum for illness, injury, death, loss or damage arising out of my or my companion’s participation in the museum’s historical tour, in all areas where the tour is conducted, whether caused by the fault of myself, my companions, Hoofprints of the Past Museum or other third parties.

3. INDEMNIFICATION. I agree to indemnify and defend Hoofprints of the Past Museum against all claims, causes of action, damages, judgments, costs or expenses, including attorney fees and other litigation costs, which may in any way arise from my or my companion’s participation in the Hoofprints of the Past Museum’s historical tour.

4. FEES. I agree to pay for all damages to Hoofprints of the Past Museum, other tour attendees, and owners of property upon which the tour is conducted, caused by any negligent, reckless, or willful actions by me or my companions.

5. APPLICABLE LAW. Any legal or equitable claim that may arise from participation in the above shall be resolved under Wyoming law.

6. NO DURESS. I agree and acknowledge that I am under no pressure or duress to sign this Agreement and that I have been given a reasonable opportunity to review it before signing. I further agree and acknowledge that Hoofprints of the Past Museum has offered to refund any tour registration payment I have made if I choose not to sign this Agreement.

I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT AND UNDERSTAND IT. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT BY MARKING THIS RELEASE, I VOLUNTARILY SURRENDER CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS.

Questions? Please contact the museum at 307-738-2381 or at info@hoofprintsofthepast.org

If you would like to be notified about the 2026 Bozeman Trail of Powder River Tour next year, please complete a Tour Notification Form

Please note: Dogs are not allowed on the tour for any reason.

The Hole in the Wall Ranch: A History

March 14, 2023 by Laurel Foster

The museum had a great turn out for the presentation by historical author Tom Rea on March 5th. The presentation covered everything from the ancient peoples that once inhabited the famous valley to the more recently famous, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. We will continue with some additional related tidbits and stories on Facebook if you would like to learn more. If you would like to purchase Rea’s book, please contact the museum at 307-738-2381. We appreciate all of our followers and supporters!

New Displays at the Museum

June 14, 2022 by Laurel Foster

If you have not been to the museum in a while, you may want to visit and see two of our newest displays.

One of the new display cases features the role of rodeo in Kaycee, and local rodeo stars such as Deke Lathum, Larry Sandvick, and Chris Ledoux. Artifacts in the display include chaps worn by Larry Sandvick while winning rodeos as well as artifacts associated with the Deke Lathum Memorial Rodeo and Chris Ledoux’s career.

The second new display case reorganizes and better displays all of the items associated with many of our local pioneer women. There are many small personal items that are now much easier to view, as well as unique jewelry, pins, and dresses. There are several beautiful quilts, and artifacts belonging to many other early local women.

Group Museum Tours

March 22, 2022 by Laurel Foster

This tour will provide a fascinating overview of Kaycee area western history, from the Native Americans through the Outlaw Period while showcasing some of the museum’s most priceless artifacts. Tour will be guided by the museum curator. Tour must be scheduled two weeks in advance. Please contact Laurel for more information at 307-738-2381 or director@hoofprintsofthepast.org.

Johnson County War Tour

July 1, 2021 by Laurel Foster

The Johnson County War Tour on August 16, 2025 allows attendees to travel by bus the approximate route of the “Invaders” in their fateful attack on the “Rustlers” in April 1892, learning about the war and stopping at various sites of historical significance along the way.

Stops include the KC Cabin Fight site, where Nate Champion made a heroic stand against overwhelming odds, Plunkett’s Horse Ranch where the Invaders changed horses, the Smith homestead site where a near ambush of the Invaders almost occurred, the historic 28 Ranch where Invaders rested their horses, and the TA Ranch where the final battle occurred. The tour will also stop at the assassination sites of John. A. Tisdale and Ranger Jones, whose murders occurred in the months leading up to the war, foreshadowing the events of 1892.

The historical guides narrating the journey are Brock Hanson and Laurel Foster. Brock Hanson is a 4^th generation local historian whose family lived through the war and documented the historic events with interviews of the various people involved in the war. Laurel Foster is the director of the museum, and has been conducting the museum’s historical tours for 15 years.

The tour will begin in Kaycee at 9:00 AM (with an AM check-in time of 8:30 AM) and ends at approximately 4:00 PM. Lunch is included the ticket price of $100, which must be purchased in advance due to limited space on the bus.

You can register for the 2025 Johnson County War Tour here:

JC War Tour Registration Form

Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Phone*
Email*
Johnson County War Tour Quantity
Price: $100.00
Total
$0.00
Release of Liability
Release of Liability
In consideration for being allowed to participate in the Historical Tour conducted by Hoofprints of the Past Museum, of 344 Nolan Ave., Kaycee, Wyoming, 82639 at the museum and all areas where the tour is conducted I agree for myself and (if applicable) for my traveling companions, to the following:

1. AGREEMENT TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. I agree to observe and obey all written rules and warnings regarding the tour, and further agree to follow any oral instructions or directions given by Hoofprints of the Past Museum, or the employees, representatives or agents of Hoofprints of the Past Museum for the duration of the tour. I also agree as directed on the tour registration and confirmation letter, not to bring a dog on the tour.

2. ASSUMPTION OF THE RISKS AND RELEASE. I recognize that there are certain inherent risks, known and unknown, associated with participation in the tour, and I assume full responsibility for illness, personal injury or death to myself and (if applicable) my travel companions, and further release and discharge Hoofprints of the Past Museum for illness, injury, death, loss or damage arising out of my or my companion’s participation in the museum’s historical tour, in all areas where the tour is conducted, whether caused by the fault of myself, my companions, Hoofprints of the Past Museum or other third parties.

3. INDEMNIFICATION. I agree to indemnify and defend Hoofprints of the Past Museum against all claims, causes of action, damages, judgments, costs or expenses, including attorney fees and other litigation costs, which may in any way arise from my or my companion’s participation in the Hoofprints of the Past Museum’s historical tour.

4. FEES. I agree to pay for all damages to Hoofprints of the Past Museum, other tour attendees, and owners of property upon which the tour is conducted, caused by any negligent, reckless, or willful actions by me or my companions.

5. APPLICABLE LAW. Any legal or equitable claim that may arise from participation in the above shall be resolved under Wyoming law.

6. NO DURESS. I agree and acknowledge that I am under no pressure or duress to sign this Agreement and that I have been given a reasonable opportunity to review it before signing. I further agree and acknowledge that Hoofprints of the Past Museum has offered to refund any tour registration payment I have made if I choose not to sign this Agreement.

I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT AND UNDERSTAND IT. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT BY MARKING THIS RELEASE, I VOLUNTARILY SURRENDER CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS.

Questions about the tour? Please contact us at 307-738-2381 or info@hoofprintsofthepast.org

If you cannot make this year’s tour, but would like to be notified of the 2026 tour date, please complete the Tour Notification Form

Please note: Dogs are not allowed on the tour for any reason.

2022 Hole in the Wall Tour a Success

June 23, 2021 by Laurel Foster

Thank you to all our tour attendees and volunteers for making our annual Hole in the Wall tour a success and an enjoyable day. The weather was absolutely perfect. Thank you everyone!

And for those who wanted our 34 year old recipe for coleslaw that was served at lunch, here it is:

Lunch at the Hole in the Wall

Cole Slaw for 50-60 people

5 heads cabbage, grated or sliced fine

5 green peppers

5 onions (medium)

set aside

5 cups Apple Cider Vinegar

5 cups Oil

2 1/2 cups Sugar

10 TBLSP. honey

10 tsp. salt

5 tsp. celery seed

Bring these ingredients to a boil, boil for a few minutes then pour over the slaw. DO NOT STIR until cool.

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