SUBLETTE COUNTY – With successful fundraising and matching grants, the Green River Valley Museum’s goal of renovating Big Piney’s historic Texaco station is steadily moving forward.

The corner wood-covered 1912 building and several lots were donated to the museum in 2020 by Alan and Robyn Blackburn (former owners of White Pine Resort). The concept of remodeling and restoring the old 1930s gas station grew as museum supporters and the larger community realized its potential to draw more visitors than ever to the museum’s existing complex.

The main museum, on the east side of Highway 189, has a medley of restored buildings, antique equipment and vintage vehicles, local families’ collections and other displays unique to the Green River Valley.

To bring the historic Texaco station up to modern-day museum standards, though, would require a large bucket of money. Successful fundraisers like the annual Hard Hats and Stetsons – last month’s raised just under $25,000 to match a Wyoming Community Foundation (WCF) grant – kept the schedule on track, according to museum staff.

The total project was estimated to cost $600,000 to $800,000.

Outside and in

Outside, the goal is to acquire an original Texaco sign and prepare for visitors and parking. At least one antique gas pump and possibly three will be on display. Inside, the renovated building will house new exhibits, storage and an expanded Sublette County Visitor’s Center.

On April 1, a team for the Green River Valley Museum went before Sublette County Board of County Commissioners, to request $189,000 to complete the exterior phase.

County commissioners were required to approve a request to release from the county’s museum reserve fund of about $4.5 million.

First, GRVM Director Clarica Johnson outlined the “amazing” progress.

“The supports are up, the new roof has an incline and most of the siding is on,” she said.

Although most recently the building was covered in wood, the original exterior was stucco, Johnson explained.

“We decided to do tin,” she said. “The weather around here is not good on stucco. Also, some Old Texacos were white and green, so this is why we decided on those colors.”

“Heating and ventilation are almost done. Almost all of the electric is done and the bathroom plumbing is started.”

Phases

“To this point, we’ve spent about $296,000 from the county and WCF grants,” said GRVM bookkeeper Karen Taylor. “We’ve gotten to this point about halfway with the renovation. We dipped into emergency funds. We’re here now to ask for help – it will cost another $300,000 to finish the total outside and inside.”

An existing apartment is “rent ready” with a tenant, she said.

Finishing this first interior phase will cost about $150,500; completing the second exterior phase would come to $298,500, Taylor explained to commissioners Doug Vickrey, Mack Bradley, chair Lynn Bernard, Sam White and Dave Stephens.

“Will the doors be open this summer?” Bradley asked about the visitor’s center relocation.

“That would be phase 2,” Taylor replied. Also, a small studio apartment would be removed for more parking.

‘Monument’

“The original building was built in 1912,” GRVM board member Toni David said. “We’re preserving a monument.”

Gary Neely, from the Sublette Historic Preservation Board CLG, pointed out positive economic benefits of the GRVM’s Texaco project for Big Piney and south county, especially with its very visible highway location.

“The museum could bring in more people and also preservation of the past,” he said. “They’re only asking for half now – you could consider giving it all.”

“We’ll give you the money,” Stephens predicted.

Bernard, elected last year to his first term as commissioner, complimented the project as “wonderful.”

Vickrey said, “We just got done talking about preserving our community history for the future. … (The history) serves an invaluable purpose. You have my full support. I don’t see us doing it halfway. I see it all the way.”

Bernard asked the commissioners would consider releasing $150,500 or the full amount of $298,500 from the museum reserve account.

“I’m fine just giving it all,” Stephens said, with Bradley seconding his motion.

The vote was unanimous in favor.