Museum History

The Grand Opening marks the return of the Bison Museum to Scottsdale after spending the past several years at Bison Ranch in Heber/Overgaard, Arizona. Previous to its stay at the Ranch, the museum was owned and operated by the Gemmie Baker Family in Scottsdale at its original location near Shea Boulevard and Scottsdale Road during the 1980’s and 90’s and was known as the Buffalo Museum of America.

In 1999, Mr. Baker sold the museum to Gary Martinson, owner of Bison Homes and a North Dakota native, who added his own lifelong bison and western collection to the mix. Mr. Martinson moved the museum to Bison Ranch near Heber, Arizona at that time.

With the recent addition of the Flagg Family Art Collection, the number of pieces housed by the museum now easily reaches into the thousands.