History & Museums

Over 40 years ago Lee Smith began building a multi-story log house in wildlife-rich Wapiti Valley by hand, a process that lasted until he fell to his death from the roof in 1992 at the age of 48. We locals have many names for that lonely, decrepit house – the Smith Mansion and Pagoda House are the kindest references. Some people just call it the Crazy House. Anyone who drives through Wapiti Valley has seen this structure perched on a hill on the south side of the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway. It’s rambling five stories are accented – seemingly randomly — with protruding staircases, precarious balconies and shattered windows. Even though it never had electricity, it was the home where Smith lived with his wife and two children. In the early 1992 Smith stepped up work on the structure, creating additional meandering rooms that featured architectural accents like elk antlers and random containers made from metal scraps. His projects often took him to the roof and upper floors where he worked without safety tethers. On a windy April day in 1992, he fell and died.

The Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate housing FIVE incredible, family-friendly museums, plus a research library, under ONE roof! The Buffalo Bill Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, and McCracken Research Library - connecting people to the American West through history, culture, art, natural science, authentic chuckwagon dinners, live birds of prey shows, special events, expert talks, and customized exclusive tours. Center admission is good for TWO days!

The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center tells the stories of Japanese Americans confined here during WWII. The Smithsonian Affiliated and National Historic Site includes a museum, original camp structures, walking trail and military memorial.

Explore authentic curated stories told by real people through GPS-based, self-guided audio tours. Explore the storied wild west history of the town founded by the legendary Buffalo Bill: https://travelstorys.com/tours/historic-downtown-cody Cody to Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone National Park—Through Wapiti, Sylvan Pass, and the East Entrance to Yellowstone: https://travelstorys.com/tours/cody-to-yellowstone Hemingway Highways - The man the myth: https://travelstorys.com/tours/hemingway-highways-cody Recently added Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.