Museum Main Page | Display Information | Beecher Island


Display Information:

Bison Sculptor
A sculpture of Bison Antiquus dominates the archeology room at the Wray Museum. The plaster detailed animal sculpture stands seven feet tall and live weight is estimated at 3,000 pounds. This sculpture along with pictures, bones and artifacts from the original Jones/Miller kill site south of Wray are on display. The site was excavated in the early 1970's by noted archeologist, Dr. Dennis Stanford of the Smithsonian Institute.


Battle of Beecher Field
Roman Nose, the most famous Cheyenne Warrior of his day, was the leader of the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers during the September 17 and 18, 1868 Battle of Beecher Island.

He led his warriors into battle convinced that it would be his last because an iron fork had been used in preparation of his meal. He was killed during the battle.

The Beecher Island room at the Wray Museum features a diorama of the battle made by Scott Chartier of Wray. The books, "The Battle of Beecher Island" and "Fifty Fearless Men" are available to purchase.


The Shady Rest Country Store
The grand opening of the Shady Rest Country Store was July 1, 2001. The country store collection was donated to the Museum by Edwin "Bud" and Virginia Loeffler who started collecting old store items when they were first married in 1951. Over the years they accumulated a wonderful, large assortment of items.

Virginia was born in Armel to James and Myrtle Donaldson. In 1928 her parents built the Shady Rest Camp and Store in Wray and ran it until 1937. Bud traveled the northern states and parts of Canada for CF & I and brought home many treasures from his route.

This fabulous collection was given to the Wray Museum in memory of Virginia's parents.


The Trophy Room
The Trophy Room is a favorite of Wray's school children. A local farmer, Dale Whomble, hunted and fished around the world during the winter months when he was not farming. He accumulated many wonderful trophies which he displayed in his home.

After his passing, his children donated all his collection of trophies to the Wray Museum. In this room you will see bears, a wolf, leopard, cheetah, lions, Dall sheep, eland, gazelle, many other animals and fish.

This room also contains a bird collection which came from the original Beecher Island Museum. This collection was donated to the museum by Virginia Wright. The birds were mounted and researched by her father, L. Ray Hersey.


The Sandhill Dancers

The Colorado Division of Wildlife, The Wray Museum, East Yuma County Historical Society and the Wray Chamber of Commerce sponsor the Greater Prairie Chicken Viewing Tours every spring. See these awesome birds, watch them do their interesting dance and hear their distinctive "booming"sounds.

For information and reservations contact the Wray Chamber of Commerce, 970-332-3484 or Wray Museum, 970-332-5063