The only museum of its kind in the US focuses on wildland firefighters, Smokey Bear, and Smokey's prevention message that "Only you can prevent forest fires."
We're celebrating with our annual Smokey Bear Days, May 1-2 which will take place on Smokey Bear Blvd inCapitan, New Mexico.
Located not far from Capitan Gap, where a bear cub with burned paws was found during a 1950 wildfire, the town of Capitan has embraced Smokey's story and his international legacy as a symbol of wildfire prevention.
Smokey Bear Historical Park (owned by NM State Parks and managed by NM Forestry Division) was established in 1976 as a place to memorialize both the bear and his message, following Smokey's death at the National Zoo in Washington DC that same year. Even though the word "museum" is missing from the title, the museum provides a one-stop shop for history, artifacts and images of Smokey both as ad campaign and as a "living symbol" following his discovery by fire crews (including the Taos Pueblo Indigenous fire crew).
Currently, Smokey Bear Historical Park draws visitors from far and wide -- roughly 20,000 guests a year pass through the turnstiles. You can take a virtual tour of the Museum, and the Park also has a website and Facebook page for more information.
Our 50th Anniversary celebration, Smokey Bear Days, will take place May 1-2 and will feature family friendly vendors and exhibits, including Cave Talks, a Firefighter Challenge, and of course the Smokey Bear Parade.
