Giving Med Bow a bone

Rocky Mountain Power and Sinclair Wyoming Refining Company (SWRC) had representatives at the Medicine Bow Museum at 11 a.m. on Monday to present Sharon Biamon, Medicine Bow Museum director with checks for $10,000 from each company.

Rita Meyer, Vice President-Wyoming for Rocky Mountain Power said her company was committed to the communities in Carbon County.

“We’re excited about the fossil cabin’s relocation and the Medicine Bow Museum’s commitment to sharing this historic structure with future generations,” Meyer said.

Ryta Sondergard, community relations specialist for SWRC presented the $10,000 check from SWRC. Sondergard said she felt a bond with the people of Wyoming since she had come to live in the state.

“Sinclair Wyoming Refining Company recognizes the importance of community partnerships,” Sondergard said. “We are proud to participate in the relocation of the ‘World’s Oldest Building’ to Medicine Bow in Carbon County, Wyoming.”

Around 1915, Thomas Boylan built a house of fossils using 5,796 mortared together dinosaur bones.

The Fossil House Museum was created. For a while it was a tourist success.

It changed hands in 1974 and then, with the construction of Interstate 80, traffic dropped off and finally, in 2008, the museum closed.

Vandalism the past year, created a situation that if the building didn’t find a new home, it could be permanently unsalvageable.

During the presentation attended by over 50 people, Sondergard asked how much more was needed for the move and Biamon said $7,500.

Sondergard said she would donate the needed amount personally.

The room broke into loud applause.

Baimon said of the generosity of all involved was heartwarming. She wanted to thank all who contributed.

On Sondergard’s surprise contribution, Baimon said, “I think it is amazing to be able to walk away today and know the move is the fossil house is totally funded.”