Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum

Entrance of the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, including Nate Champion statue by D. Michael Thomas and 1916 Jenkins Homestead. Photo courtesy of the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum.

Our namesake Jim Gatchell was a pharmacist whose store, the Buffalo Pharmacy, later the Gatchell Drug Store, opened in 1900. Bringing in people from far and wide, Jim enjoyed getting to know his customers and befriended many. He enjoyed life-long friendships with the region’s Native Americans as well. Many of his customers and friends brought him gifts over the years that eventually formed the nucleus of the museum’s collection. After his death in 1954, his family and the community of Johnson County established a museum to house his collection in 1957.

The museum’s galleries cover the history of the natural world, Native Americans of the High Plains, Bozeman Trail history, Johnson County Cattle War, Basque culture and history, Gatchell Pharmacy, and local history. The museum has a permanent exhibit about abstract expressionist artist Neltje and temporary art exhibitions on Jesse Winingar and D. Michael Thomas (2023). Since 2002 the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum has been accredited with the American Alliance of Museums. In 2023 the museum became one of the four museum recipients of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Admission and tour rates, as well as information about events and programs can be viewed at the museum’s website: www.jimgatchell.com or via social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.