Norris Geyser Basin Museum

Norris Museum/Norris Comfort Station
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Grand Loop Rd., Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Coordinates	44°43′34.3″N 110°42′20.8″W / 44.726194°N 110.705778°WCoordinates: 44°43′34.3″N 110°42′20.8″W / 44.726194°N 110.705778°W
Built	1929-30
Architect	Herbert Maier
Architectural style	Other
MPS	Yellowstone National Park MPS
NRHP Reference #	83003362[1]
Added to NRHP	July 21, 1983

Norris Geyser Basin Museum in winter.

The Norris Geyser Basin Museum, also known as Norris Museum or Norris Comfort Station, is one of a series of "trailside museums" in Yellowstone National Park designed by architect Herbert Maier in a style that has become known as National Park Service Rustic. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is one of three parts of a National Historic Landmark, the Norris, Madison, and Fishing Bridge Museums, which were funded by Laura Spelman Rockefeller's grant of $118,000.^[2][3] Built 1929 - 1930, the Norris Museum is sited on a hill between the Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin of Norris Geyser Basin. Its central breezeway frames a view of the Porcelain Basin for arriving visitors.

The 94-foot (29 m) by 20-foot (6.1 m) museum consists of two rectangular sections divided by the breezeway, which is roofed by a prominent jerkinhead gable., framed in massive logs. The pavilions to either side are of shingle-coveredframe construction on a massive stone base. A stone and concrete terrace surrounds the building.^[3]

A nearby comfort station or toilet is included in the National Register nomination. It was probably built in the 1930s.^[3] With the construction of a modern facility the one story log structure is now used as a bookstore operated by the Yellowstone Association.

The museum exhibits focus on geothermal geology, features of Norris Geyser and plant and animal life in thermal areas.

See also

• Fishing Bridge Museum
• Madison Museum
• Old Faithful Museum of Thermal Activity

References

1. Staff (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
2. ""Architecture in the Parks: A National Historic Landmark Theme Study: Norris, Madison, and Fishing Bridge Museums", by Laura Soullière Harrison". National Historic Landmark Theme Study. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
3. Culpin, Mary Shivers (November 11, 1982). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-07-20.

External links

• Norris Geyser Basin Museum
• Norris Museum, Museum Building, North of Steamboat Geyser & southwest of Norris Junction, Norris Junction, Park, WY at the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)
• Norris Museum, Restrooms, Northwest of Steamboat Geyser & southeast of Museum, Norris Junction, Park, WY at HABS
• Norris, Madison and Fishing Bridge Museums National Historic Landmarks at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office