Come see over 30,000 artifacts. Including a 100 year old Thomas Edison Phonograph. As well as a pair of shoes made from human flesh. These are the only shoes made from human flesh in America. Makes me wonder why on earth anyone would want to wear shoes made using a persons skin. You won’t see anything like them anywhere else on earth! Apparently there was also a handbag made from the same human flesh but it has yet to be found.
Who Was Big Nose George Parrot?
George Parrot was a cattle rustler in the late 19th century. Back in 1978, there was a $20,000 reward for his capture. Along with the help of his friend Charlie Burris (Dutch Charley), they killed two law officers, Robert Widdowfield and Tip Vincent. In reality, they might have gotten away with it. But Parrot and Burris got arrested in 1880 and they got drunk and boasted about killing the two lawmen.
The Lynching
Parrot was sentenced to hang on April 2,1881 but on March 22 he tried to escape. It wasn’t long before the towns people heard of the escape. The townsmen held the guard at gunpoint while they dragged Parrot out of his cell and hung him from a telegraph pole. During the lynching, the rope rubbed Parrots ears off as he was fighting for his life so they are not present on his death mask.
Rest In Pieces
Dr. John Osborne was in charge of the autopsy and he wanted to study Parrots brain to try and find clues to his criminality. He sawed the skull cap off and gave it to 15 year old Lillian Heath. Who used the cap as an ashtray, pen holder and door stop. Osborne also took the skin from Parrots chest and thighs because he wanted a new pair of shoes made from human flesh and a matching medicine bag to go with the shoes. Ultimately, he even requested that they leave Parrots nipples on the new shoes but they were removed. Since he was extremely proud of his human shoes, Osborne was extremely disappointed they were no longer there. In fact, he loved those shoes so much that he even wore them to his inaugural ball when he became governor of Wyoming in 1890.
Thank you We Have Rules for the video below.
Fun Fact
The phonograph plays from a round wax cylinder. In areas where it gets hot in the summer. If the phonograph was playing and mom called to say it was dinner time. Her call would get recorded unto the wax cylinder and it would replay every time the phonograph was played. Essentially the heat damaged the wax cylinders so they couldn’t be used much in areas like Wyoming.
Hours
Open year round from Tuesday – Saturday From 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Admission is always Free!
Plan to spend 1-2 hours here. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera. Please respect the Carbon County museums wishes and only take pictures of things that do not have a no photo sign on them.
Directions
Carbon County Museum
904 West Walnut Street
Rawlins, WY 82301
From Laramie:
Take I-80 west. Take exit 211 for Spruce st. Turn right on Spruce st. Turn left on 11th st. Turn Right onto W Walnut st. Destination will be on your right.
From Rock Springs:
Take I-80 East. Take exit 211 for Spruce st. Turn Left on Spruce st. Turn left on 11th st. Turn Right onto W Walnut st. Destination will be on your right.
Accommodations
There are a few accommodations in Rawlins. My link will search through all the online sites to find you the best price available. By purchasing your trip through my link, this site will earn a small commission on your purchase. Rest assured that it will not cost you anything extra! The only difference is that this site will earn a commission instead of another booking site. Thank your sponsorship!
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