About THE Cowboy Carousel Center
Our Mission
Arts Along the Bighorns dba The Cowboy Carousel Center
is a non-profit 501c3 established in 2013.
The Cowboy Carousel Center's mission is to promote culture and art in the Bighorn Mountain Region of Wyoming through community events, charitable programs, and economic development through the arts, education, and historic preservation.
Currently our goal is the restoration and preservation of the Cowboy Carousel and the historic 1920 Beutler Building, to aid in the revitalization of the Buffalo Downtown core, to provide a center for the arts, community projects, a community events center, and the new discovery center.
The Carousel
The Cowboy Carousel, manufactured at North Tonawanda, New York in 1925, ran for 63 years on Gillian’s Fun Deck in Ocean City, New Jersey. The horses are fiberglass reproductions of the original wood carvings by local renowned Buffalo artist and wood carver, Bill Jennings. This carousel is an important cultural part of Wyoming's history. The Spillman Carousel will be restored as closely as possible to its original colors. A picture of this machine in its original condition hangs in the Smithsonian Institute. Behind each of the horses on the Cowboy Carousel has a story and is an important part of Johnson County history. Because of Emerson Scott’s vision, this historic carousel came to Buffalo, and is still the only truly Western Cowboy Indian Carousel based on historic details. This is a treasure worth preserving and making an active part of our community. We are currently in phase two of the revitalization of the 1925 Spillman historic Cowboy Carousel.
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Community and Arts Center
The Historic Beutler's building, constructed in 1920, plays an essential role in preserving Johnson County history and culture, as well as fostering community engagement. Throughout the years, Beutler's has served as a feed store, an army surplus shop, a shipping company warehouse and a family home.
Do not let the outside of the building deceive you. This 6,000 square-foot building has character and charm with a stone fireplace, wood floor, antique light fixtures and doors from the former Idlewild Hotel in Buffalo, an actual western bar, classrooms, studios, an authentic micro theatre, and a kitchen. Over the past decade The Center has served the community with over a thousand events including weddings, reunions, after proms, art exhibits, family reunions, makers markets, theatrical performances, birthday parties, baby showers, festivals, blue grass camps and more. Nestled at the base of the Big Horn Mountains and our unique venue, your celebration not only marks the beginning of a beautiful chapter but also contributes to the vibrant tapestry of our community.
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The Discovery Center
“A place or building where objects of historical, artistic, or scientific interest are exhibited, preserved, or studied.” Although the Cowboy Carousel Discovery Center fits squarely within this definition, we don't tend to conform to what people might expect from a traditional children’s museum.
The Cowboy Carousel Discovery Center aims to inspire discovery and understanding of science and the arts using the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) skills into everyday life scenarios. This approach aims to highlight the practical application of these skills beyond traditional educational settings, a place where learning and fun are intertwined. It strives to be a premier regional destination for interactive discovery, welcoming individuals of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, genders, and income levels.