Through photographs, artifacts, oral histories, and interactive exhibits, visitors to the Interpretive Center experience life at Heart Mountain through the eyes of those Japanese and Japanese Americans who were confined here during WWII. The Interpretive Center provides an overview of the wartime relocation of Japanese Americans, including the background history of anti-Asian prejudice in America and the factors leading to their enforced relocation and confinement. Special emphasis is given to the experience of incarceration, the diverse personal responses of Japanese Americans to their imprisonment, constitutional issues, violations of civil liberties and civil rights, and the broader issues of race and social justice in the U.S.

In August of 2011, the HMWF opened the doors of its Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, a world-class museum dedicated to passing on the Heart Mountain story to future generations. From Wyoming, John Collins, Dave Reetz, Pat Wolfe, Ann Noble, and United States Senator Alan Simpson (retired), former incarcerees and others supported and helped organize the ambitious endeavor. Secretary Mineta was also among the project’s early supporters.

Former Foundation president Dave Reetz supervised construction of the Center which provides an overview of the wartime relocation of Japanese Americans, including the background history of anti-Asian prejudice in America and the factors leading to their enforced relocation and confinement. Program Committee members and Co-Chairs, University of North Carolina law professor Eric Muller and Denver educator Carolyn Takeshita worked to ensure that special emphasis was given to the experience of incarceration, the diverse personal responses of Japanese Americans to their imprisonment, constitutional issues, violations of civil liberties and civil rights, and the broader issues of race and social justice in America. Funding for the $5.3 million project was overseen by HMWF Vice-Chair, Douglas Nelson and included contributions from individual donors, major government and foundation grants, and corporate gifts.

Meanwhile, the monumental task of collecting, preserving, and cataloguing the Foundation’s burgeoning collection of artifacts continues to be overseen by Acting Curator, LaDonna Zall, with assistance from volunteers and fellow HMWF board member Rick Ewig. Early assistance was also provided by former board members Peggy and Mike Fuson.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki and Farallon Films produced an introductory film that is shown to Interpretive Center visitors, while Split Rock Studios of Minnesota designed and fabricated the exhibits.

Watch this introductory film to learn more and to get a glimpse of the Interpretive Center.