Norris Geyser Basin Museum facts for kids
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Norris Museum/Norris Comfort Station
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The Norris Geyser Basin Museum viewed from the south
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming |
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| Built | 1929–30 |
| Architect | Herbert Maier |
| Architectural style | National Park Service Rustic |
| MPS | Yellowstone National Park MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003362 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1983 |
| Designated NHL | May 28, 1987 |
The Norris Geyser Basin Museum is a special building in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. It is one of the first "trailside museums" ever built in a national park. These museums were designed to help visitors learn about the amazing nature around them. The Norris Museum is famous for its unique style, called National Park Service Rustic, which uses natural materials like logs and stone to blend in with the park's beautiful scenery.
Contents
What is the Norris Geyser Basin Museum?
The Norris Geyser Basin Museum is a very important historical site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized for its special history and design. It is also part of a larger group of buildings called a National Historic Landmark. These landmarks are extra important to the history of the United States.
How the Museum Was Built
The museum was built between 1929 and 1930. It was designed by a famous architect named Herbert Maier. He created a style that looked natural and fit into the park's environment. The money for this museum and two others came from a generous gift by Laura Spelman Rockefeller.
Where the Museum is Located
The Norris Museum sits on a small hill. From this spot, you can see two amazing areas of the Norris Geyser Basin: the Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin. The museum has a central walkway, called a breezeway. This breezeway perfectly frames a view of the Porcelain Basin for everyone who arrives.
Building Design and Features
The museum building is about 94 feet (29 meters) long and 20 feet (6 meters) wide. It has two main parts, separated by the breezeway. The roof over the breezeway is very noticeable. It has a special shape called a jerkinhead gable and is made with huge logs.
Materials Used
The two sections of the museum are built with a strong stone base. Above the stone, the walls are covered with shingles. A terrace made of stone and concrete goes all around the building. This design helps the museum look like it's part of the natural landscape.
The Comfort Station
Near the museum, there is another building called a comfort station. This building was probably built in the 1930s. It was originally used as a restroom facility.
Current Use of the Comfort Station
Today, new, modern restrooms have been built nearby. So, the old comfort station, which is a one-story log building, is now used differently. It has become a bookstore. The Yellowstone Association runs this bookstore, offering books and items about the park.
What You Can See Inside
The exhibits inside the Norris Geyser Basin Museum teach visitors about the amazing natural world of Yellowstone. You can learn about geothermal geology, which is how the Earth's heat creates geysers and hot springs.
Learning About Nature
The museum also shows you the special features of the Norris Geyser Basin itself. You can discover the unique plants and animals that live in these warm, thermal areas. It's a great place to understand how life thrives in such a unique environment.
See also
- Fishing Bridge Museum
- Madison Museum
- Old Faithful Museum of Thermal Activity
