The Cody Institute for Western American Studies

History

The Cody Institute for Western American Studies was launched at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in 1999 to explore important ideas related to the American West. This new initiative recognizes that the Buffalo Bill Historical Center is more than a traditional museum. It has the opportunity to become “The Voice of the American West” through: research initiatives, dissemination of historical fact and context and for public discussion and debate on important historic and contemporary Western issues.

The Cody Institute does not replace traditional museum programs and exhibitions which have been directed toward guests who come to Cody. The BBHC has earned international recognition for these efforts. CIWAS adds a rich new layer of interaction and outreach, and strengthens the very foundation of the institution’s strategic plan, “Forging the Future,” adopted by the BBHC Board of Trustees in June 2003. This plan recognizes that the BBHC is an educational institution, one that offers wonderfully enriching local educational programs, but through CIWAS, one that can serve a national and international audience more fully.

CIWAS is designed to augment the knowledge and perspective of researchers, educators, and students of the West. Already, we have hosted both national and international symposia, and are moving down a planned pathway to develop active scholarly research and educational programming.

Institutional Partners

For more information, please contact Kurt Graham.