wyoming territorial prison state historic site

We toured the prison in August not knowing quite what to expect. Upon our arrival we were told we could wait for a group tour or just take the self-guided tour - we opted self-guided and found the maps and markers to be very helpful. While you are surrounded by modern Wyoming on the outside, in the inside you step way back in time. Just walking into the tiny cells gives you a better feel for what it must have been like for prisoners, and the multiple prisoner images and stories on the walls are fascinating to read. All in all I believe we spent about two hours in the prison but could easily have spent half a day. Great history, well worth the stop and very affordable. Also a must-see site for Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid enthusiasts.

Well informed guides, great buildings and exhibitions added to the experience, we really enjoyed strolling around site and chatting with the staff.

The tour is self-guided, which allows visitors to spend more or less time at their own pace. In addition to a pamphlet explaining the history of the prison and the function of the various buildings and rooms within the prison itself, there are lots of displays and signage. We spent just slightly less than 2 hours on our tour, and it was very interesting. The buildings are not air-conditioned, and they weren't heated on the chilly fall day of our visit, so dress appropriately depending on the season of your visit.

Friendly staff, very informative museum, nice layout, interesting stories, even though we don't have small children I think it is done in a way that the whole family could enjoy.

This museum was very historical and ton's of interesting information about the prison, the prisoners who were kept there and the general area. It was nicely laid out with many fascinating exhibits both inside and outside. Great for the whole family.

This is a real slice of Western life as it was both in the main prison building and the surrounding buildings collection.Loads of free parking and ridiculously cheap admission price.

This is one of the best historical museums I've ever been to. The cost is so reasonable (I would even say cheap!) for what you are treated to. Many of the buildings of this old prison have been reconstructed to give you a feel for what prison life was like back then - not only for the prisoners, but also for the staff. After paying the tour fee, we were each given a "mug shot" of a prisoner. This is a completely self-guided tour, so you can take your time looking at all the exhibits and reading all the histories. Expect it to take a while - at least two hours. In the main prison building, on the walls, are pictures of inmates and brief histories of them - how many years they served, if their sentences were commuted, etc. It was so much fun to search for - and find - the history of the prisoner whose picture I was issued (she was not a nice person!). We toured the prison industries building. The docent, Craig, was so helpful, and showed us how brooms were made by the inmates. Our visit ended by our "mug shots" being stamped "Released". Fun and very interesting!

I stopped here while in town for a graduation. I gotta say not what I expected at all. Everything was so interesting and loved learning about the history behind it all. If you come Laramie this is a must see

This is a very good preservation of an old territorial prision. The tour is worth the time. It is interesting to find out "WHO" stayed here in the past; some well know characters.This is a great place to bring the family as the park and other buildings are well preserved and of historic interest as well. Bring a lunch and spend some time in the Old West.

Great exhibits , well curated.Lots to see......Great gift shop and helpful staff and volunteers Go there ! :)

We visited this old prison site on our trip to Laramie. It is a self guided walking tour that has occasional characters along the way. The prisons claim to fame is that Butch Cassidy was incarcerated here for a couple years. Very interesting account of his life is covered in many areas of the prison grounds. The inmates worked in a broom factory that is still standing today and brooms are being made by volunteers or group tours and sold only in the gift shop. The prison was closed at the turn of the century and it was purchased by Wyoming University and turned into and agriculture/animal husbandry station. The University continues restoring it to the historical prison site it was. Incidentally, the parking lot has a dump station for RVs and there is frequently a line up on the weekends.

Great restoration of the Wyoming Territorial Prison supported by artifacts and photos of known criminals who were housed here. The Dinner Horsebarn Theatre and Museum, using the old horsebarn, has been fantastically repurposed. Expect to see what life in the 19th century was like, with the reconstruction of an old town and cabins. Even the broom-making is realistic! It's an affordable look into the history of prison life on the Wyoming high plains.

Brought the family in to see this prison. They did a great job with the place. Quite a bit of pictures and stuff to read. I am sure that I wouldn't want to be in something the size of these cells.

This was a fun place for everyone. I'm still not sure what is original and what was remade (it housed barn animals for the university for some time after it was a prison but before becoming a museum). Great stories of some of the famous people who were there. Just a cool place I'd recommend as a stopover.

Very nice museum/history/info. Bigger and better than you could ever expect for $5 adults, 2.50 (13-17) and free under 13. Really great 1-2 hour stop. Easy on and off freeway.