Buffalo Nation Opens August 22, Special Edition Bison Book Released

Opening on Saturday, August 22, 2026, Buffalo Nation invites visitors to connect with the bison’s past, present, and future through Indigenous perspectives, cultural and ecological insights, historical artifacts, contemporary art, and immersive visitor experiences.

The two-year exhibit celebrates America’s 250th anniversary and the buffalo through immersive exhibitions, interactive experiences, and special events. Buffalo Nation tells the powerful story of the American bison—once numbering 30 million or more, nearly lost to extinction, and now a symbol of renewal.

Six spotlight exhibits opened in January across the five museums and library, each highlighting unique perspectives on the bison’s role in culture, ecology, and history.

While the exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, August 22, there is a Members Only Opening Reception on Friday, August 21. All members are invited to enjoy remarks from Rebecca West, CEO and Executive Director, a traditional Buffalo Song and Drum Presentation performed by students from Wyoming Indian Middle School, and a ribbon cutting.

Members can enjoy the first look at the expansive, hands-on gallery filled with larger-than-life visuals, interactive storytelling, and engaging displays that bring visitors face to face with the enduring spirit of the buffalo.

Special Edition Book

In addition, The Buffalo Bill Center of the West released of a special edition of Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd on July 4, 2026. The compelling new book from Yellowstone Forever that explores the history, ecology, and remarkable recovery of Yellowstone National Park’s bison herd.

Written by Yellowstone National Park bison manager Chris Geremia and featuring photography and insight from acclaimed wildlife photographer Tom Murphy. Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd traces the remarkable recovery of Yellowstone’s wild bison and examines the critical role they continue to play in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Reflecting on his decades-long pursuit of the species, Murphy notes, “This book highlights my 45-year photographic search to illustrate the beauty, power, and resilience of Yellowstone’s wild bison.”

Making it Special

The Center of the West’s special edition of Yellowstone Bison opens with a prologue by Arthur Middleton, Tucker Russell, and Kristin Barker of the Beyond Yellowstone Living Lab, highlighting the significance of bison recovery on the Wind River Indian Reservation and across other sovereign Tribal lands. The stories of Tribal-led restoration and the Yellowstone herd are central to Buffalo Nation.

“The publication of Yellowstone Bison is especially timely,” said Rebecca West, CEO and Executive Director of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. “Chris Geremia and Tom Murphy have created a powerful tribute to one of North America’s most iconic animals and the ongoing efforts to ensure its future. Their work reflects many of the themes at the heart of Buffalo Nation and helps deepen our understanding of the bison’s enduring importance.”

“Unlike any other animal, bison have stood at the center of North America’s history. They once roamed in the tens of millions, iconic and enduring, shaped by the landscapes they shaped in return,” write Geremia and Murphy in the book’s opening essay.

Through compelling photography, rich historical context, and firsthand observations, Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd reveals the majesty, resilience, and complexity of wild bison while documenting the evolution in human thinking required to allow wild bison to remain wild.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book directly supports Yellowstone National Park’s Bison Conservation Transfer Program.

[Press Release with Writer]

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