Bringing Western History to Life

The unbridled magic of Jackson Hole is rooted deep in its Western history, a fact that’s readily apparent in details such as the saddle seats at the Cowboy Bar or the boardwalks that line the Town Square. These myriad connections to the region’s heritage aren’t simply gestures toward a vintage aesthetic; they’re talismans of why Jackson Hole came to be, how it was built and who did the building. 

It’s for good reason, then, that another icon of the West is ubiquitous around the valley: the horse. The roles that past generations of horses played in Jackson Hole are many, and the impacts that they had are even more expansive. “Of course horses were critical for early transportation in the valley, as well as facilitating ranching,” explained Morgan Jaouen, executive director of History Jackson Hole. “But they were more than machinery. Many folks over the years had really important relationships with these animals and valued them almost like a part of the family.”

Kirsten Corbett, the organization’s director of exhibits and communications, added that since the earliest days of dude ranching, horses have also been a key way in which visitors have connected to and experienced the Teton Landscape. “When dude ranches were starting, it was common for people to stay in Jackson Hole for a couple of months in the summer and ‘play cowboy.’ Learning to ride and going on trail rides — these were activities at the heart of many of those experiences.”

Though most modern visitors to Jackson Hole don’t stick around for months, many still do experience the valley via the hospitality of local dude ranches. And many more partake in horse-related activities at some point in their visits, whether that’s a trip to the rodeo, a scenic trail ride or a stagecoach ride around the Town Square. 

This summer, History Jackson Hole is offering yet another way that visitors can connect to the legacy of horses in the area. In partnership with the Cowboy Trades Association, the museum will unveil an exhibit that features the unique crafts of Cowboy Artisans including horsehair braiding, leather work, saddlemaking and more. Visitors can delve into the ways that Westerners have elevated many horse accessories into distinctive art. 

“In addition to the exhibit, we’ll be hosting a series of programs with local and regional artisans,” said Morgan. “Guests can see craftspeople in action and gain a better understanding of these heritage skills.” 

Kirsten added that while the Town Square’s hitching posts have been traded in for parking spots and electric vehicle chargers, the importance of the horse in Jackson Hole history shouldn’t be forgotten. “When you really look back at it, there are few elements of our past that haven’t been at least indirectly impacted by horses. In our collection, we have so many photographs and stories that include horses and the people who loved and depended on them.”

Visitors to the Jackson Hole History Museum — just a stone’s throw from the Town Square — can explore the region’s equine history and much, much more. The museum explores a multitude of fascinating eras in Jackson’s past, from the original Indigenous inhabitants and earliest fur trappers to the films that first captured the majesty of the Tetons on the silver screen, to the daring athletes who blazed trails in the mountains and beyond.

For any guest (or local) who seeks to expand their appreciation of this inimitable place, a visit to the Jackson Hole History Museum must be on your list. Family-friendly, interactive and outright fascinating, it is certain to amplify your appreciation of the place. So, saddle up, head on down to the corner of Broadway and Willow, and take your own trip back in time.