EXPLORING THE GATCHELL

What You Can Learn

Native American Area

Questions To Answer:

2.   What were pole structures used for? 

4.   What are three Indian artifacts found in the museum? 

5.   From what is the Cheyenne Indian fan made?

6.   How is the Indian hammer mounted to the handle? 

7.   What were most Indian tools made of?  

8.   What did the Indians use for decorating their clothing?  

9.   How did the museum acquire so many Cheyenne artifacts? 

10.   What were medicine rattles used for? 

Things To Discuss:

1.  Imagine that you are an Indian child of the 1800s.  How would your life 

     be different from today?

2.  Why did the Cheyenne people like Jim Gatchell?  Why did they give him gifts?

For Extra Credit:  

2.   How did the Indians prevent snow blindness?

  Photo Multiplex Area

Questions To Answer:

1.    When was the Buffalo flood?

2.    When was the Johnson County war?

3.    Who began the sheep industry in Johnson County?

4.   When was the Occidental Hotel built?

5.   When was the courthouse built in Johnson County?

6.    How did Ft. McKinney get its name?

7.   Which tribe gave Jim Gatchell the nickname of Turpy?  What does it mean?

8.    Where was Buffalo’s first school and when was it started?

9.    What was called the BC or BM?

10.  Who were some of the guests of the Occidental Hotel?

11.  Early freighters used what to pull their wagons?

12.  When did the sheep industry begin in Johnson County?

13.  When did the cattle industry begin in Johnson County?

14.  What was the first volunteer fireman organization called?

15.  How did the town of Buffalo get started?

Things To Discuss:

1. How do you think the Johnson County War could have been avoided?

2.  How do you think technology and modernization has affected and changed the ranching industry?

Extra Credit:

1.  What was the cause of the Johnson County War?

2.  Who were the first people in Wyoming?

  Pioneer Ranchers & Settlers Area

Questions To Answer:

 1.  What did the famous Tom Horn leave behind at the Murray Hill Hotel?

 2.  What article of clothing worn by cowboys has the distinction of being called “batwings”?

 3.  How far did a freight wagon pull in a day?

 4.  What was a pike pole used for?

 5.  At what rate did horses pull a stagecoach?

 6.  What was the tool known as a picaroon used for?

 7.  Name an item in the museum that belonged to Nate Champion.

 8.  What was called the "ark of safety" during the Johnson County Cattle War?

 9. Where did Mr. Gatchell start his collection?

10.Why was the jailbreak rope given that name?

Things To Discuss:

1. Name 2 artifacts that you think were unusual in the museum and give an explanation of their use.

2..  If you were traveling west on a wagon train, what would your daily chores be?

Extra Credit:

1.  How did Crazy Woman Creek gets its name?

2.  Why is the TA Ranch well known?

Frontier Military Area

Questions To Answer:

1.  When was Ft. McKinney established?

2.  What was the name of the forts along the Bozeman Trail other than Ft. Phil Kearny?

3.   How many defenders, soldiers and woodcutters were in the corral at the Wagon Box Fight?

4.  What was the name of the soldier whose body was not mutilated at the Fetterman Fight?

5.  What Indian tribe was attacked by the U. S. military at the Dull Knife Battle?

6.  Who survived the Fetterman Fight?

7.  When were the forts of the Bozeman Trail abandoned?

8.  Who was Portugee Phillips?

9.  Who led the attack of the Indians on the woodcutters in the Wagon Box Fight?

10.What did the activities at Ft. McKinney include?

Things To Discuss:

1.  Describe Metzger’s Bugle.  What was its importance?

2.  How do you think the military presence made an impact to travelers along the Bozeman Trail?

Extra Credit:

1.  What military rank did William J. Fetterman hold on the day of the Fetterman Fight?

Wagons

Questions To Answer:

1.   Who was the original owner of the sheep wagon?

2.   How old is the Hazlett wagon?

3.   What is the only original part on the prison wagon?

4.   How long does the sheep wagon stay in one place?

5.   Where was the prison wagon stationed?

6.   Which one of the wagons served as a honeymoon cottage?

7.   In which direction do they park the sheep wagon?

8.   What was the green wagon with low sides used for?

9.   The Hazlett wagon was similar to the ones used on what trails?

10. What was the average daily speed of the Hazlett wagon?

Things To Discuss:

1. What hardships did the sheepherders encounter while living in a sheep wagon?

2. Why did people migrate west?

Extra Credit:

1.  What is the black item just inside the door of the Carriage House?

2.  Who was the former Wagon master that did most of the wagon restoration work for the museum?

 Early American Wars

Questions To Answer:

1.   What is a kriss?

2.   What is the name of the saddle used by the army until World War II?

3.   In what war did the bible-owning soldier die?

4.   Whose picture is on the purple heart?

5.   Who awarded medals to those who served during the Spanish American war?

6.   Who were the first volunteers to fight from Wyoming?

Things To Discuss:

1.  Name 3 unusual military artifacts you found in the museum and explain their purpose.

Extra Credit:

1.  The museum has artifacts from how many different Early American wars?

(An Answer Booklet is available for teachers - Contact the museum)

Return to Booklet