Summer 2 0 0 5 INSIDE: 2004 Annual Report BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER • CODY, WYOMING 2004 Chairman’s Report Alan K. Simpson Chairman, Board of Trustees never did meet Vernetta Hidde — but I surely wish I could have done so. In fact, no one associated with our fine Buffalo Bill Historical Center I(BBHC) had ever known of Vernetta—that is, until Easter of last year. When she died in April 2004, this remarkable, elderly lady from Torrington, Wyoming —down Goshen County way — provided a hand- some sum for our Center in her will. We are not certain if she ever even visited the Center, but clearly the things we did and the mission we performed were important to her. We are told that Vernetta had many a BBHC book or brochure on tables and nightstands throughout her beloved home. More than that though, we are very pleased and proud that there are many other “Vernettas” out there. Like this fine woman, they quietly support us — year after year — with their memberships and their donations. At our last count, we had over 5,000 members and 650 donors with more and more being added each day. Now that’s a reason for us to “toot our own horn.” And we are all so very grateful. We also remain so pleased and proud of all the unique opportunities we have to offer our visitors. Nowhere is the old saying, “A good time was had by all” more appropriate than with the goings-on at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. It’s a good place to have a good time! My remarkable wife, Ann (51 years with that lovely lady!), and I are always amazed at the creativity of the folks at the BBHC who consistently put together wonderful programs and events that simply get better and better. Sometimes it almost looks quite exhausting to me as to what they plan and present — but they do it with great grace, patience, energy and good spirit. From Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads to Plains Indian Museum Powwow to the Patrons Ball, there is never a lack for something special to be happening at the Center. We always benefit in a generous way from the Rendezvous Royale week in September. Our own Patrons Ball, which is always a “whale of a great time,” netted us over $120,000. Add another $97,000 to that from proceeds from the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, and you can darn sure see why this particular week in September is so very popular in the Cody Country — and so much fun! Let me say again what an honor and privilege it is for me to be associated with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. I think we all appreciate so much the capable leadership of Dr. Robert E. “Bob” Shimp, and I count it a real blessing indeed to work with each and every member of our wonderful staff, this amazing corps of volunteers, and a most dedicated Board of Trustees and Advisory Board members. We have a terrific story to tell and terrific people on board to tell it; and I do look forward to more and more opportunities to do just that in the coming year. My hunch too— is that Vernetta would have surely wanted it that way. Respectfully and sincerely, 1 2004 Annual Report ¨ Points West ¨ Summer 2005 Table of Contents 3 Executive Director’s Report 6 Board of Trustees 9 Contributions 14 Members and Patrons 24 Acquisitions 34 Additional Gifts in Kind 35 Volunteers 36 Staff 39 Financial Review 41 News Briefs P O I N T S W E S T © 2005 Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Written permission is required to copy, reprint, About the cover . or distribute Points West materials in any medium or format. All photographs in Points West are Buffalo Bill Historical Center photos unless otherwise noted. Address correspondence to Editor, Points West, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, 720 Sheridan Cornet. Chicago Music Co., Chicago, Illinois, November Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414 or [email protected]. 12, 1902. Buffalo Bill Historical Senior Editor: Mr. Lee Haines Center, Cody, Wyoming. Gift in Managing Editor: Ms. Marguerite House memory of William A. Bell Production Coordinator: Ms. Rae Eckley Copy Editors: Ms. Lynn Pitet, Ms. Joanne Patterson and Leonard Cody Bell by Mrs. Designer: Ms. Jan Woods–Krier/Prodesign Frances Slattery Guilbert. Photography Staff: Ms. Chris Gimmeson, Mr. Sean Campbell 1.69.6106 Points West is published quarterly as a benefit of membership in the Buffalo Bill William A. Bell gave this cor- Historical Center. For membership information, contact: net to his son Leonard Cody Director of Membership Bell in 1902. Lifelong friends Buffalo Bill Historical Center 720 Sheridan Avenue with William F. Cody, Bell Cody, Wyoming 82414 named his son after the [email protected] famous showman. Later, Cody The Buffalo Bill Historical Center is a private, non-profit, educational institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting the natural and cultural history of the Bell traveled with Buffalo Bill’s American West. Founded in 1917, the Historical Center is home to the Buffalo Bill Wild West for one year as a Museum, Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Museum of Natural History, and McCracken Research Library. bugler in 1912–1913. Magazine of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center • Cody, Wyoming www.bbhc.org 2 2004 Executive Director’s Report Robert E. Shimp, Ph.D Executive Director s of this writing, Lyn and I are celebrating our third year in the Cody Country — and celebrating we are, as we count ourselves most fortunate Ato be a part of this fine community. Each year, as we continue to meet so many great people, we realize the true meaning of “western hospitality.” We certainly look forward to many more years in Cody. For myself, I can’t think of a better group of folks with whom to spend time than the fine staff of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center (BBHC). This is a group who holds this tenet from Aristotle, “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” Every day, as I see new projects undertaken, I am astounded at their creativity, their passion, and their hard work. It is my very great privilege to be associated with these folks, each of whom played an important part in our successes of 2004. The first thing you’ll notice about this particular Buffalo Bill Historical Center Annual Report is its inclusion in the summer issue of our membership magazine, Points West. Likewise, for those of you accustomed to receiving a summer issue of Points West, you’ll find interesting new reading in the lists of acquisitions, donors, patrons, and the like, each one representing a valued relation- ship with the Center. This format is an experiment for us, as we wanted “Every day, as I see to share with a wider audience what we accomplished last year. We look forward to your comments. new projects undertaken, As I looked over the many names of contributors of one kind or another to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, I’m reminded how beholden we are to literally thousands of constituents throughout this country — I am astounded at their indeed, throughout the world. Without the generosity of these individuals, businesses, and other organizations, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center creativity, their passion, would simply not pass muster as a world-class facility. For that, we are most grateful. and their hard work.” So, if you had the where-with-all to have been the proverbial “fly on the wall” last year, you’d have noticed some traditional activities here at the BBHC, along with some very new endeavors. We had exhibitions — as usual; we had programs—as usual; we had kids —as usual. What was exceptional to me, however, was that the exhibitions get better and better; the programs were more and more engaging; and kids, well, they’re simply everywhere all year long — at last count, 5000 strong, plus another 3000 or so who regularly receive outreach materials. If anyone had ideas that a museum was not the place for children, a visit to the BBHC just about any time of year should dismiss that notion post haste. The staff of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center embarked on two new endeavors in 2004. First, to respond to the changing demographics of today’s traveler, Associate Director Wally Reber, headed a Visitation 2005 Task Force to study the best ways to attract visitors to the Center. Staff members examined visitor surveys and national research with an eye to enhancing our image to the traveling public, and creating a top-notch experience, quite literally from the moment their vehicles turn down our street. As this group quickly went about its work, its first order of business was to recommend an economical new family rate to make it easier for families to enjoy our facility. Just as quickly, our Board of Trustees agreed, and that rate is now in effect. 3 In addition, Visitation 2005 took on the task of revamping our group tour sales arena. Sophie Broussard, who started us down the road of BBHC-originated tours two years ago, is now coordinating all tours, to and from the Center. We anticipate a marked increase in this market as a result of Sophie’s efforts. Last of all, the Task Force also will investigate ways to mitigate any effects we might suffer from gasoline price increases, road construction, and good ol’ Mother Nature in the form of mudslides (which closed Yellowstone’s East Entrance for nearly two weeks in 2004) and forest fires, an ever-present danger in the wake of continuing drought.