The Cowley Pioneer Museum is inside the former Big Horn LDS Stake Office and Tithing Building built in 1909. The building is shared with the town of Cowley administration offices (town hall).
The Mormons were the most significant factor in establishing the town of Cowley. They also provided the inspiration and the labour force which established the Sidon Canal. LDS Church leaders, with the encouragement of Wyoming government leaders, created an official church-sponsored colonization project known as the Big Horn Basin Colonization Company.
The museum documents the development of the Big Horn Basin Colonization Company, the building of the Sidon Canal and the development of Cowley and the surrounding basin area.
Cowley recently finished renovating a 1910 Frontier stone building for use as its town hall and historical center. Established by Mormon emigrants, cowley has a population of 500, and the bucolic setting welcomes visitors to the Museum where items of local historical interest are displayed. The community celebrates and has been celebrating the pioneer history the third week in July annually since 1907.
From Ultimate Wyoming