Heart Mountain becomes Smithsonian Affiliate
CODY (WNE) — The Smithsonian Institution has selected the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation to join its network of Smithsonian Affiliates.
As an affiliate, the foundation will have the opportunity to collaborate on unique educational programs and workshops, participate in professional development, co-develop youth programs, host traveling exhibitions, and other opportunities offered in collaboration with the Smithsonian.
The decision makes the Foundation only the second Wyoming museum to become a Smithsonian Affiliate. It joins the Buffalo Bill Center of the West on the list of more than 200 Smithsonian Affiliates in nearly every state, plus Puerto Rico and Panama.
“The Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation is dedicated to telling an important part of our nation’s history,” said Myriam Springuel, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service | Smithsonian Affiliations director. “With a mission that so thoroughly matches the work of the Smithsonian, we are honored to welcome the Foundation into the Smithsonian Affiliate family and look forward to working together to share these important stories with audiences around the world.”
HMWF joins the Affiliate network at a critical time. The Foundation will have the grand opening of its new Mineta-Simpson Institute during its annual Pilgrimage on July 25-27, 2024.
“The Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation is thrilled and honored to become a Smithsonian Affiliate,” said Shirley Ann Higuchi, chair of the Heart Mountain board. “Our world-class museum has attracted interest, both nationally and internationally, signifying the impact of the power of place. With our new Mineta-Simpson Institute opening this summer, we will enhance our ability to educate the public and continue to tell our incarceration story. We hope that our museum and campus will inspire this country to learn more about what happened at this site in 1942.”
This story was published on April 8, 2024.