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| Established | 2002 |
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| Location | 1501 North Poplar Street Casper, Wyoming, United States |
| Type | Interpretive Center |
| Website | Official website |
TheNational Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) is an 11,000-square-foot (1,000 m2)interpretive center[1] about several of theNational Historic Trails and is located northwest ofCasper, Wyoming onInterstate 25. It is operated through a partnership between theBureau of Land Management, the City of Casper, and the National Historic Trails Center Foundation.[2] The center offers interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, and special events. Admission is free.[3]
The idea for an interpretive center in Casper began with the creation of a small trails committee; eventually this committee became the non-profit, National Historic Trails Center Foundation (NHTCF). In 1992 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) joined with the NHTCF to work on the project, committing to pay half of the $10 million estimated cost. The city of Casper donated 10 acres of land for the center's site.[4]
In 1994, voters in Casper passed the Optional One Cent Tax, which helped fund construction of the center's exhibits. The Wyoming State Legislature also passed a bill to help fund the center that same year. By 1997 plans for the center were complete, and a bill to support construction and operating costs was signed into law by PresidentBill Clinton.[4]
The groundbreaking for construction took place on June 21, 1999, and the center officially opened August 9, 2002.[4]
The center contains several permanent exhibits and hosts temporary, traveling, exhibits as well.[5]
Permanent exhibits are on the four trails that run together through Wyoming:
Entrance to the center is free.[3]
42°51′59″N106°20′15″W / 42.866457°N 106.337413°W /42.866457; -106.337413
