Transfer of ownership

WORLAND — The Washakie Museum and Cultural Center announced this week, that the culmination of a multi-year plan to receive the gift of the building and the land on which it is located from Newell B. and Vera Sargent, and the Sargent Foundation was completed last month.

“Sargent and the founders of the Washakie Museum shared a dream to have a state-of-the-art facility in Worland,” President of the Washakie Museum Board of Directors Dan Frederick said. He announced that as of Oct. 29, 2015, the Sargent Foundation had transferred ownership of this property to the Washakie Museum as a fulfillment of this dream.

The announcement wasn’t made until this month while they awaited final paperwork to be completed, including transfer of insurance.

Kent Richins, NBSF Director said, “Newell B. Sargent established the Newell B. Sargent Foundation in 1984 and provided various grant directives to be followed during and after his life. He envisioned the creation of an enlarged facility to house the Washakie Museum to display the history of the Big Horn Basin and to provide a place for people to gather and celebrate and to exchange culture and ideas.

“Mr. Sargent met with architects and advisors to create detailed plans for a facility. He established a $4 million endowment with the Wyoming Community Foundation to assist yearly with the operations and maintenance of the facility. Mr. Sargent directed that the new facility be transferred if and when deemed appropriate by the NBSF Board of Directors.

“The new facility opened its doors in 2010 and has been successfully operated by the Washakie Museum. The NBSF Board of Directors recently conveyed the facility to the Washakie Museum in accordance with Mr. Sargent’s desires.”

Frederick said, “It was a long and detailed process to purchase the land from Tom and Christiane Gee, design and construct the building, and make sure it was suitable and effective for the use for which it was designed. Mr. Sargent, and on his behalf, the Sargent Foundation, have been extremely diligent and patient in their efforts to provide our community and the area it serves with this incredible facility. We are very thankful for the continued support we receive from the Sargent Foundation.”

He added, “It is truly inspiring to see what has been accomplished by this benevolent individual in conjunction with the support of the community and Museum Patrons. We are proud of the fact that we have become an institution that is growing and prospering without relying on taxation.”