Laurel Foster, Author at Hoofprints of the Past Museum

Powder River Western Art Show on June 15th, 2024

May 23, 2024 by Laurel Foster

The 2024 Powder River Western Art Show will be held on June 15, 2024 during the Chris Ledoux Rodeo Day. Great local western artists will be showcasing and selling their work at the museum all day from 9-5. Enjoy the excellent rodeo, but stop in before and after to see great western art, leather crafts, jewelry, houseware, and more. We will be raffling off this watercolor by local artist Will Berg titled “Steamboat Horses.”

Portuguese Fort Event Recap

March 13, 2024 by Laurel Foster

Thank you everyone for attending Dr. Newton’s presentation on the archeology of the Portuguese Fort! We had a great turn out and enjoyed visiting with so many.

Thank you to all the volunteers that worked at the site preserving the history, and the landowner, to make all of this possible.

Thank you also for your great patience and kindness as we resolved our technical difficulties. We want to offer a special thank you to Victoria Davis, for technical assistance, and Nancy Tabb and Bonnie Ross for a loaner projector.

Thank you volunteers and helpers: Nancy Elm, Dwayne Christensen, Darcy DeLapp, Nolan Davis, Dick Gould, and Jeanie Tinnin for all the help that day and any volunteers we missed.

What a fantastic group of people!

Portuguese Fort Archeology on March 10, 2024

January 26, 2024 by Laurel Foster

Archeologist Cody Newton will be presenting the history and archeology of the Portuguese Fort site using artifacts from the site, including recent excavations, on March 10 at 1:00 at the Harold Jarrard Park Building in Kaycee.

Fort Antonio, known locally as the Portuguese Houses, was built in 1834 east of Kaycee as a fur trading post by independent trapper Antonio Montero from Portugal. The fort experienced a series of difficulties: attacks by Blackfeet, competition from Jim Bridger’s fur company, theft, and legal challenges from government bureaucrats. However, it was the demise of the beaver and the fall in demand for its felt that dealt the final blow. The fort was abandoned in 1840, and the fur trade had collapsed by then.

However, many items were left behind which tell a detailed story of how fort residents worked and lived. Dr. Newton will reveal its fascinating secrets and these new additions to the museum collection.

Coffee and cookies will be served.

2023 Rifle Raffle Winner

December 5, 2023 by Laurel Foster

The 2023 Rifle Raffle Fundraiser winner was drawn at our December monthly meeting and the winner was Hal Norvell of Ballantine, Montana. Thank you to all those who bought tickets, and everyone who sold them for us: The Kaycee Sinclair, Kaycee General Store, Invasion Bar and Restaurant, Cassidy Inn, Country Inn, and Chicken Coop. We also would like to thank the Sports Lure for help purchasing the rifle. We are grateful for the support!

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!

Powder River Pioneers Tour

April 4, 2023 by Laurel Foster

The history of Kaycee and the surrounding area is the story of the Old West; similarly, it includes the exploits and battles of the Indians, trappers, explorers, soldiers, cowboys, and homesteaders. However, it is unique in that so much that is symbolic of Western history occurred in this beautiful area. The Powder River of Kaycee was the stage where early explorers, travelers, fur traders, the US military, the Indians, missionaries, and cattle barons played their part in Western expansion. They built posts, forts, and a “castle,” at times working together and other times fighting each other for their piece of this land. Some were just travelers passing through and others stayed and made their mark on the area. 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 12th, 2026.

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 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 can’t make it this year but would like to be notified about this tour in 2027, 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!

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