Norris Geyser Basin Museum

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.

Norris Museum/Norris Comfort Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Norris Geyser Basin Museum in winter.
Location	Grand Loop Rd., Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Coordinates	44°43′34.3″N 110°42′20.8″W
Built	1929–30
Architect	Herbert Maier
MPS	Yellowstone National Park MPS
NRHP reference No.	83003362[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	July 21, 1983
Designated NHL	May 28, 1987[2]

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

• Fishing Bridge Museum
• Madison Museum
• Old Faithful Museum of Thermal Activity

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. Culpin, Mary Shivers (November 11, 1982). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form". National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-07-20.

External links

• Norris Geyser Basin Museum
• Norris Museum, Museum Building, North of Steamboat Geyser & southwest of Norris Junction, Norris Junction, Park, WY at the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)
• Norris Museum, Restrooms, Northwest of Steamboat Geyser & southeast of Museum, Norris Junction, Park, WY at HABS
• Norris, Madison and Fishing Bridge Museums National Historic Landmarks at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office