Explore landmarks around the Heart Mountain National Historic Site, some that still exist, and some that were here while the “Heart Mountain Relocation Center” was in operation in the 1940s.
Welcome to Heart Mountain Interpretive Center
Welcome to the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, which is dedicated to preserving the legacy of and educating the public about the Japanese American confinement site in northwestern Wyoming. Director of Interpretation & Preservation Cally Steussy introduces the story of the Japanese American incarceration.
The Barracks
The Heart Mountain confinement site had approximately 450 residential barracks. Former VISTA Museum Educator Genesis Ranel introduces the original barrack recently returned to the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, as well as barrack life.
Heart Mountain Barracks Today
The Heart Mountain camp did not just vanish when the Japanese Americans left. Former Executive Director Dakota Russell explores the story of what happened to the Heart Mountain barracks in the years after the camp closed.
Learn more about the onsite barrack HERE
Heart Mountain High School
Only the records vault of the Heart Mountain High School remains in the fields that were once the residential area of the Heart Mountain camp. Join former Registrar Brandon Daake to learn more about the Heart Mountain High School and education in the camp.
The Swimming Hole
One of the challenges of life in a confinement site was finding things to do, especially for children. Former Executive Director Dakota Russell visits the remains of the Heart Mountain swimming hole for a look at recreational activities in the camp.
The Root Cellar
The Japanese Americans of the Heart Mountain camp were the first to farm this area of the Bighorn Basin. Visit the root cellar with Director of Interpretation & Preservation Cally Steussy to learn more about the Heart Mountain farms, and the cellars created to store the crops.
Learn more about the root cellar HERE
The Honor Roll
The Heart Mountain Honor Roll was raised by the people incarcerated at Heart Mountain to honor everyone who left the camp for military service. Join former Registrar Brandon Daake to learn more about the complicated history of Japanese American military service.
Heart Mountain Hospital
The remains of the hospital buildings are some of the only original structures from the Heart Mountain camp still in their original location. Join former Membership & Development Manager Deni Hirsh as she explains the story of the Heart Mountain hospital.
Heart Mountain Graves at Crown Hill Cemetery
Not everyone brought to the Heart Mountain camp left it again. Visit the Crown Hill Cemetery with former Executive Director Dakota Russell and hear the story of the three Issei men buried there, and the Heart Mountain graveyard.
Features of the permanent exhibit at the Interpretive Center:
Explore the site through Heart Mountain AR, our augmented reality app:
