Jackson, WY — History Jackson Hole is opening its doors to the entire community on Monday, Oct. 12, for a free celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Jackson Hole History Museum will waive admission fees, inviting families, students, and visitors to explore the region’s rich Native heritage.
Special Exhibition and Guided Tour
Downstairs, the museum is presenting the temporary exhibition Behind Linear Narratives: Indigenous Plains Ledger Art. Curated by Al Hubbard and Susan Durfee, the show is a partnership with Central Wyoming College’s Native Voices program. The exhibition showcases historic and contemporary ledger art created by Indigenous artists, offering a visual narrative of Plains cultures.
From 12:30 to 1 p.m., Al Hubbard (Northern Arapaho/Navajo) will lead a guided curator’s tour titled “What is Ledger Art?” The tour will trace the art form’s origins in early Indigenous history, its evolution through contact with European traders, and its vibrant contemporary expressions. Visitors will also meet the exhibition’s featured artists Terrance Guardipee (Blackfeet Nation) and Terran Last Gun (Piikani/Blackfeet), whose works illustrate the ongoing vitality of ledger art.
Hands‑On Learning for Students
As a guest educator, Hubbard will work with pre‑scheduled fourth‑grade classes, guiding students in creating their own ledger‑style drawings. The activity aims to deepen young learners’ appreciation for Indigenous artistic traditions while fostering creative expression.
Hubbard’s own artwork is on display at Shari Brownfield Fine Art, providing an additional opportunity for museum guests to view the curator’s personal contributions to the medium.
Outdoor Mural and Additional Exhibits
Visitors are encouraged to view the museum’s outdoor mural, Damma Newadaygwap Gay Nasoowazeet | Never Forget Our Language, installed in partnership with Jackson Hole Public Art. Designed by Nanibah Chacon in consultation with Eastern Shoshone leaders, including language preservationist Lynette St. Clair, the mural celebrates the Shoshone language and cultural resilience.
The entire museum will be open on this special day, including the temporary exhibit Jackson Hole 1955: Kodachrome Images by Orson L. Arvin. The photographic collection captures a pivotal moment in the valley’s post‑World War II boom, before the ski resort era and rapid development of the 1960s reshaped the community.
Event Details and Sponsors
For more information, visit jacksonholehistory.org or call (307) 733‑2414. The celebration is made possible thanks to sponsors Visit Jackson Hole, The Alpine House, and Wyoming Humanities.
Mark your calendar for Oct. 12 and join History Jackson Hole in honoring Indigenous cultures, learning about ledger art, and enjoying a day of free, family‑friendly museum experiences.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
