The Bradford Brinton Memorial Museum
Just south of Big Horn on State Highway 335. Follow signs. (307) 672-3173

This is ranch country; some of the finest in Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain West. It was settled late, in the 1870s and 1880s, but the well-watered, rich grasslands have produced excellent cattle and horse herds. The Quarter Circle A Ranch dates from this period and is typical of the more prosperous ranches of the Big Horn area. Here Bradford Brinton raised horses and cattle, entertained distinguished guests, enjoyed the scenic mountains and plains, and collected aspects of an older West. When he died in 1936, his sister, Helen Brinton, became the owner of the ranch. She kept it as a summer home until her death in 1960.

The house was built in 1892 by two Scotsmen, William and Malcolm Moncreiffe, and in 1923 was purchased by Bradford Brinton, who enlarged it to its present 20 rooms. Bradford, and later Helen, tastefully decorated and furnished the house with fine furniture, his collections of western art, Indian crafts, books, and historic documents.

Though a native of Illinois, Brinton loved the West and was particularly enamored of the work of western artists. He numbered many now famous artists among his friends, and they benefited from his encouragement and patronage. Helen Brinton, wishing to share her brother’s fine collections with future generations, established the Bradford Brinton Memorial Ranch in her will to commemorate western art and culture. The Bradford Brinton Memorial Ranch opened in 1961. It is maintained and administered by The Northern Trust Company of Chicago, Illinois.

The Indian conflicts, nature’s wonders, the harsh elements, and the often lonely but always exciting life of the cowboy inspired the artists of the West. The Brinton collection contains over 600 oils, watercolors, and sketches by American artists including: Charles M. Russell, Frederic Remington, Edward M. Borein, E. W. Gollings, Hans Kleiber, Will James, Frank W. Benson, John J. Audubon, Joe De Yong, Winold Reiss, and Frank Tenney Johnson.

Each year a different art exhibit is featured in the reception gallery, which is the only addition made to the ranch.

The memorial is open daily 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. May 15th through Labor Day.