Our Campus
Teton Raptor Center’s campus at the historic Hardeman Barns in Wilson, Wyoming has been constructed and rehabilitated to create a permanent home for world-class raptor conservation at the base of the Tetons.
In 2017, TRC embarked on a major site improvement plan that restored historic structures, created a dedicated flight chamber for bird rehabilitation, and expanded facilities for our Avian Ambassadors, among other improvements. Restoration and revitalization of the iconic Moseley/Hardeman Barn is the capstone of these improvements and the doors to the barn opened to the community in June 2023.
Teton Raptor Center’s home at the 27-acre historic Hardeman Barns property offers a treasured space to execute our conservation work. The campus is a place of vibrant learning about the wonder of birds, and conservation ethics and initiatives. From this beautiful place TRC is well-situated to serve our valley’s beloved wildlife and be a leader, innovator, and influencer in raptor conservation throughout the country.
Campus History
In the early 1940s, Major Moseley built what are now called the Hardeman Barns. For over 80 years, the gracefully arching structure of the wind-proof gothic Hardeman North Barn has been the visual hub of Wilson, Wyoming. In 1956 Gerrit Hardeman bought Moseley’s ranch and moved his herd of prizewinning Herefords from Kelly, Wyoming. The property flourished under his hardworking stewardship.
During the late 1980s, when property values began to climb in Jackson Hole, the pastoral 137-acre property was considered for residential development. The price of beef could not keep pace with the value of real estate, and by 1989 the land and its iconic buildings were slated for subdivision. The cultural value of this property to the local community became apparent as a young Jackson Hole Land Trust (JHLT) harnessed the enormous support of people wishing to preserve the barns and surrounding acreage. A bold offer and down payment allowed the Land Trust to turn this passion for preservation into real dollars. Through the contributions of many in the valley, the Hardeman family soon had a viable alternative to development.
The tenants of the Hardeman Barns during the last 20 years have included the 4-H and the Snake River Institute. In the mid 2000s, Teton Raptor Center’s founder Roger Smith was looking to create a home for Teton Raptor Center and utilize space other than his own house for the care of injured birds of prey, and the Hardeman Barns were without a tenant. It did not take long for the Jackson Hole Land Trust and Teton Raptor Center to formalize a lease in 2008, cementing a location for TRC to spread its wings. On April 14, 2017, the Hardeman Barns property was purchased by Teton Raptor Center.
Today Teton Raptor Center ensures that the Hardeman Barns remain a community asset and will continue to be stewarded by the Jackson Hole Land Trust to ensure that all provisions of the conservation easement are being upheld. We are proud to be the stewards of the next chapter for the Hardeman Barns and to be leaders and innovators of raptor conservation from our home on this treasured property in Wilson, Wyoming.