CASPER, Wyo. — In a work session on July 25, the Casper City Council directed city staff to pursue a feasibility study and consideration of funding options for the proposed expansion of the Fort Caspar Museum. The feasibility study will include information on the potential acceptance of the Pony Express Collection currently being offered to the City of Casper.
The decision to explore the feasibility study comes as part of the 2021–23 Casper City Council Goals, including an aim to evaluate the city’s recreation operations to reduce the general fund investment required for each enterprise. Fort Caspar Museum was highlighted as a focus for subsidy-improving strategies to enhance its operations and financial position.
To further the goals and objectives set forth by the council, city staff sought approval for an updated business plan for the Fort Caspar Museum. The plan outlines various strategies to improve the museum’s subsidy position, including improving the website, evaluating merchandise and increasing gift shop sales, undertaking targeted marketing, hosting additional annual events, and evaluating and increasing rates and rental fees where reasonable.
One key strategy that warranted specific council direction is the potential expansion of the museum. Staff members have been exploring the possibility of accepting the Pony Express Collection offered to the city in 2019 by Joe Nardone, who spent decades collecting items associated with the Pony Express. The collection includes over 100 years of collectibles, original documents, paintings, bronze sculptures, saddles and relics from the historic trail period.
While the opportunity to accept the collection has its merits, the expansion would require financial and resource investments that are not fully understood at this time. Staff estimate that an expansion costing over $5.2 million would be needed for exhibits, with an additional $700,000 for exhibit design and fabrication as well as collection storage.
To make an informed decision on the expansion and its potential impact on the museum’s visitation, the City Council recommended investing in a professional feasibility study. The study will provide relevant data and analysis on estimated visitor impacts, operating costs, design concepts, construction estimates and more.
The study would cost an estimated $10,000 to $15,000, but funding for the study could be sought in grants and targeted fundraising as well as donations from other organizations like the Fort Caspar Museum Association, according to Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director Zulima Lopez.
Mrs. Paula Nardone, the widow of Joe Nardone, who offered the collection to the city this year, has agreed to hold the collection pending the results of the feasibility study. She requested a Letter of Intent from the city indicating acceptance of the collection if the study recommends such a course of action. Lopez said that a letter could be drafted to City Council specifications and it could include looking into options to bring a part of the collection in for a trial run.
The Fort Caspar Museum has seen steady visitor numbers, welcoming just under 13,000 visitors in fiscal year 2022. The potential expansion, with the addition of the Pony Express Collection, could bring in more visitors and elevate the museum’s status, potentially leading to national museum designation and increased tourism. Currently, the only Pony Express National Museum is at the trails start in Saint Joseph, Missouri.
Mayor Bruce Knell was hesitant about expending more resources on Fort Caspar, which he said currently has the worst subsidy percentage in Casper.
For fiscal year 2023, which ended in June, the cost recovery was 16.7%, falling short of the 20% goal. Currently, the budget for fiscal year 2024 aims for a cost recovery of 17.8%, including $84,000 in revenue from fees and other opportunities, and $470,000 in operational costs, but still falls short of the 20% goal, according to Lopez.
“It’s very difficult without expanding the offerings there to see a way that we can really move the needle more,” said Lopez in regards to increasing recoupment. “Otherwise, we will be floating around that 20% mark, probably forever.”
Knell emphasized that those numbers might not be able to stand the test of time.
“I’m not saying nobody is going, but we don’t have many people frequenting the place and it is our worst subsidy-getter, so at some point you know something is going to have to give,” Knell said. “It’s not going to happen this year, it’s not going to happen with this council, but I can tell you that if you get more people like me on this council and they don’t start getting proactive, they’re probably not going to be around forever.”
As the City Council moves forward with the feasibility study, it aims to gather comprehensive data to make well-informed decisions on the potential expansion of Fort Caspar Museum. The study’s results will help determine the most suitable course of action to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the museum while preserving the historical legacy of the Pony Express.
The staff memo can be found below.
