Fort Caspar Museum Announces Pictographs and Petroglyphs Hands-On Workshop

Come to Fort Caspar Museum on Saturday, August 26th for Fremont Family Funday. At this month's hands-on workshop "Pictographs and Petroglyps," participants can make a rock art keepsake of their 2017 Eclipse experience. Join them and create a pictograph of the August 21st eclipse by painting your impression of it on a rock.

Workshop participants can first visit Fort Caspar Museum's current exhibit on "Rock Art in Wyoming" to get inspiration. This exhibit features both pictographs and petroglyphs found in our state. Pictographs are pictorial symbols painted or drawn on a surface, while petroglyphs are similar symbols that are incised or carved into a surface.

The workshop will explore early examples of both pictographs and petroglyphs, including how another astronomical event was recorded by Native Americans in Wyoming over 180 years ago. In 1833, the Lakota people commemorated the Leonid Meteor Shower by drawing pictographs on buffalo skins. These skins were called "winter counts" and were a way of recording important events that occurred during a year by Native Americans.

Plan to drop in between 1:00 and 3:00 pm; no reservations are required and all supplies will be provided. This program is open to all ages and is free with paid museum admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

"Rock Art in Wyoming" is a traveling exhibit organized by the Bureau of Land Management. It will be on view at Fort Caspar Museum through September 10, 2017. Fort Caspar Museum's hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily. Admission prices are $3 for adults; $2 for youth (ages 13-18 years); free for children (12 years and younger) and for Museum members. For more information, call the Museum at 307-235-8462, or visit our website at www.fortcasparwyoming.com. Fort Caspar Museum is located at 4001 Fort Caspar Road.