29
Oct
2012
This small non-profit community museum located on the LeClaire
waterfront has undergone major changes in the last two years, the most
significant being expansion of the exhibit featuring William F. "Buffalo Bill"
Cody, born in LeClaire in 1846.
"We had already started a revision to the exhibit," said Robert Schiffke,
Executive Director of the museum, "when a major collector of Wild West
memorabilia offered us boxes of publicity pieces, books and photographs.
He wanted to remain anonymous, but he visited us often in the past, and
now we are looking forward to showing him what we've developed!"
Through the display and a short video, visitors to the museum will learn
about William F. Cody's experiences as a member of the Kansas 7th
Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War, and his later friendships with
Annie "Sure Shot" Oakley, Texas Jack, Wild Bill Hickok and Sitting Bull.
He is best known for his Wild West Congress tours, and even appeared
as the subject of comic books and small novels. Not only did he entertain
the public throughout the United States and Europe, but the show served
to introduce crowds to Native American customs, Russian Cossacks, and
other cultures.
"We aren't only a museum about Buffalo Bill. People will learn about local
history, the River Rapid Pilots and see one of the original "airplane black
box" cases and designs. And," continued Schiffke, "it's the home of the
Lone Star Sternwheeler, the longest working wood-hulled boat to have
served on the Mississippi River, retired after 98 years in 1967." The boat
is now on the National Historic Register and being restored by museum
volunteers.
The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm (closing at 4pm in winter
months), and opens at 12noon on Sundays. A nominal admission is
charged.
###
To schedule a tour with Robert Schiffke, Executive Director of the Buffalo
Bill Museum & River Pilots' Pier, please call (cell) 563-505-8028.
waterfront has undergone major changes in the last two years, the most
significant being expansion of the exhibit featuring William F. "Buffalo Bill"
Cody, born in LeClaire in 1846.
"We had already started a revision to the exhibit," said Robert Schiffke,
Executive Director of the museum, "when a major collector of Wild West
memorabilia offered us boxes of publicity pieces, books and photographs.
He wanted to remain anonymous, but he visited us often in the past, and
now we are looking forward to showing him what we've developed!"
Through the display and a short video, visitors to the museum will learn
about William F. Cody's experiences as a member of the Kansas 7th
Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War, and his later friendships with
Annie "Sure Shot" Oakley, Texas Jack, Wild Bill Hickok and Sitting Bull.
He is best known for his Wild West Congress tours, and even appeared
as the subject of comic books and small novels. Not only did he entertain
the public throughout the United States and Europe, but the show served
to introduce crowds to Native American customs, Russian Cossacks, and
other cultures.
"We aren't only a museum about Buffalo Bill. People will learn about local
history, the River Rapid Pilots and see one of the original "airplane black
box" cases and designs. And," continued Schiffke, "it's the home of the
Lone Star Sternwheeler, the longest working wood-hulled boat to have
served on the Mississippi River, retired after 98 years in 1967." The boat
is now on the National Historic Register and being restored by museum
volunteers.
The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm (closing at 4pm in winter
months), and opens at 12noon on Sundays. A nominal admission is
charged.
###
To schedule a tour with Robert Schiffke, Executive Director of the Buffalo
Bill Museum & River Pilots' Pier, please call (cell) 563-505-8028.
