Norris Geyser Basin Museum

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Norris Museum/Norris Comfort Station
YellowstoneNP NorrisMuseumFront.jpg
The Norris Geyser Basin Museum viewed from the south
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LocationGrand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Coordinates 44°43′35″N110°42′12″W / 44.72639°N 110.70333°W / 44.72639; -110.70333 Coordinates: 44°43′35″N110°42′12″W / 44.72639°N 110.70333°W / 44.72639; -110.70333
Built1929–30
Architect Herbert Maier
Architectural style National Park Service Rustic
MPS Yellowstone National Park MPS
NRHP reference No. 83003362 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJuly 21, 1983
Designated NHLMay 28, 1987 [2]

The Norris Geyser Basin Museum, also known as Norris Museum, is one of a series of "trailside museums" in Yellowstone National Park designed by architect Herbert Maier in a style that has become known as National Park Service Rustic. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is one of three parts of a National Historic Landmark, the Norris, Madison, and Fishing Bridge Museums, which were funded by Laura Spelman Rockefeller's grant of $118,000. [3] [4] Built 1929 - 1930, the Norris Museum is sited on a hill between the Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin of Norris Geyser Basin. Its central breezeway frames a view of the Porcelain Basin for arriving visitors.

Contents

The 94-foot (29 m) by 20-foot (6.1 m) museum consists of two rectangular sections divided by the breezeway, which is roofed by a prominent jerkinhead gable., framed in massive logs. The pavilions to either side are of shingle-coveredframe construction on a massive stone base. A stone and concrete terrace surrounds the building. [4]

A nearby comfort station is included in the National Register nomination. It was probably built in the 1930s. [4] With the construction of modern restroom facilities the one story log structure is now used as a bookstore operated by the Yellowstone Association.

The museum exhibits focus on geothermal geology, features of Norris Geyser and plant and animal life in thermal areas.

See also

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References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "Norris, Madison, and Fishing Bridge Museums". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on 2006-06-26. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
  3. ""Architecture in the Parks: A National Historic Landmark Theme Study: Norris, Madison, and Fishing Bridge Museums", by Laura Soullière Harrison". National Historic Landmark Theme Study. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
  4. 1 2 3 Culpin, Mary Shivers (November 11, 1982). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form". National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-07-20.