Heart Mountain Interpretive Center

The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, located near Cody, Wyoming, is a poignant and educational museum dedicated to preserving the history and memory of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, one of the ten incarceration camps where Japanese Americans were unjustly detained during World War II. Opened in 2011, the interpretive center serves as a memorial to the more than 14,000 Japanese Americans who were forcibly relocated to the camp from 1942 to 1945.

The interpretive center offers visitors a comprehensive and immersive experience, featuring exhibits, artifacts, multimedia presentations, and oral histories that explore the history of the camp, the experiences of its incarcerated, and the broader context of Japanese American internment during World War II. Through interactive displays and personal narratives, visitors gain insights into the challenges, resilience, and courage of those who were detained at Heart Mountain.

The interpretive center also provides opportunities for reflection and dialogue on issues of civil rights, social justice, and the impact of war and discrimination on individuals and communities. Through educational programs, workshops, and special events, the center engages visitors in meaningful discussions about the lessons of history and their relevance to contemporary society.

In addition to its indoor exhibits, the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center features a reconstructed barrack building and guard tower, providing visitors with a tangible sense of the camp's physical layout and living conditions. The surrounding landscape, with its sweeping views of Heart Mountain and the surrounding Bighorn Basin, serves as a backdrop for contemplation and remembrance.

The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center is more than a museum; it is a place of remembrance, reconciliation, and hope. By preserving the memory of the past and honoring the stories of those who were incarcerated, the center seeks to inspire a commitment to justice, tolerance, and human rights for future generations. Whether visiting to learn about history, pay tribute to loved ones, or engage in dialogue on contemporary issues, the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center offers a meaningful and transformative experience for all who enter its doors.