Jackson, Wyoming, is known for at least a few things, among them its charming town square lined with mom-and-pop shops that light up the night sky with neon signs. Many of the storefronts in downtown Jackson have seasoned wood finishes, emblematic of the towns Old West style, a feature that architects at HGA recently found inspiration in. A short walk from Jackson Town Square, HGA and Prospect Studio, a local office, have finished a new museum. The space at 175 East Broadway Avenue tells the story of the larger geographic valley of Jackson Hole. Gallagher & Associates, a New York studio, was responsible for exhibition design.Jackson Hole History Museum has timber columns, wood siding, and an economical material palette, reducing its carbon footprint. Thick insulation, VRF mechanical systems, and triple-planed glass also help reduce energy consumption. All in all, the wood construction is meant to help tie the building into Jacksons cowboy roots, HGA said.The building has a front porch, much like the other buildings in downtown Jackson. (Albert Vecerka/ESTO)A small retail shop is located in the lobby. (Albert Vecerka/ESTO)Previously, Jackson Hole History Museum was called Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. This new building by HGA and Prospect Studio offers the institution a new purpose-built home that, moving forward, will foster important community gatherings and conversations. This collaboration required a delicate balance of design languages to honor the full history of Jackson Hole. We sought to distill this character within a modern museum design that reflects Jackson Holes present and future, Joan Soranno, design principal and project lead at HGA, said in a statement.The new 13,200-square-foot museum occupies a quarter-acre site. Its broken up into three structures that center a 3-story museumtwo of the main buildings stories go below ground. Two historic cabins are on site as well, augmenting the Old West experience.A small exhibition space lines East Broadway. (Albert Vecerka/ESTO)By the numbers, Jackson Hole History Museum contains 7,200 objects, 19,200 photographs, 8,200 records, and 460 oral histories. This ephemera is available to locals and visitors alike so they can form a meaningful connection to the region and those who have inhabited it for millennia, HGA said. The design team opted to bring drought-resistant native plantings to the site; this limits irrigation needs while low-flow fixtures further minimize water consumption. Water-impervious surfaces were minimized on the exterior vis--vis a wooden boardwalk public entry plaza to help channel stormwater runoff.Jackson Hole History Museum hosts community gatherings, and workshop for children. (Albert Vecerka/ESTO)A flexible space can accommodate a range of programming. (Albert Vecerka/ESTO)Furthermore, the new museum is sited near public transit options; this is meant to help reduce congestion in the downtown area, and further supplement the buildings ecological merits. During design, there was a recognition that there was an opportunity for History Jackson Hole to be an open and welcoming community hub, expanding upon how the museum formerly functioned, said David Wilson, HGA senior project designer.The building uses attractive and economical materials. (Albert Vecerka/ESTO)Wilson continued: Its a space where you want to spend time before and after viewing the exhibits, whether its an educationalprogram on the rooftop terrace or grabbing lunch from one of the neighboring cafes and having a picnic on the front plaza or back patio overlooking Cache Creek and the green space.Jackson Hole History Museum has a verdant green space in the rear, with two log cabins. (Albert Vecerka/ESTO)Morgan Jaouen,History Jackson Holes executive director, added: Jackson Hole is a community brought together, enriched and strengthened by compelling connections to the history of the region and the preservation of its resources,and now the newly designed history museumcampus furthers this vision by expanding itscapacity and reach.