9-2-414. Department of commerce; powers and duties relative to museums, historical sites and parks.

(a) The director may:

(i) Assemble and collect archaeological and ethnological collections, relics of the history of the state and material illustrative of the natural history of the state, and works of art;

(ii) Preserve, repair and display in an orderly and educational manner the materials in the possession of the department;

(iii) Store and maintain these materials in the Wyoming state museum, the Wyoming state art gallery and other facilities.

(b) The department shall:

(i) Supervise, maintain, restore, interpret and control museums or historical sites;

(ii) Prepare and arrange all items, objects, furnishings and information in the museums and historical sites;

(iii) Furnish and supervise employees in the museums and historical sites;

(iv) Approve and perform or supervise restorations, improvements, changes and alterations of museums, historic sites and parks under the control of the department;

(v) Interpret historic sites, museums and parks by arranging and preparing all items, objects, furnishings and information relating to historic sites, museums and parks;

(vi) Assume and exercise responsibilities as the state historic preservation officer (SHPO), including supervising and assisting the Wyoming consulting committee on nominations to the national register of historic places and to implement the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665; 80 Stat. 915; 16 U.S.C. § 470 et seq.), as amended;

(vii) Research and prepare legends for all historic monuments and markers;

(viii) Consult with the parks and cultural resources commission on archives, museums and historical related activities.

(c) As used in this section, "museums" and "historical sites" includes Trails End, Fort Fetterman, Historic Governor's Mansion, Fort Phil Kearney (including the Wagon Box Fight Site and Fetterman Massacre Site), Wyoming State Museum and Fort Bridger.