Limited Traveling Exhibit – Smokey Bear: The Rudy Wendelin Collection

May 21st through May 31st 2024

In an exciting collaboration with the Prescott National Forest, the Sharlot Hall Museum is hosting the limited traveling exhibit Smokey Bear: The Rudy Wendelin Collection in its West Gallery.

This short run exhibit, from May 21st through May 31st, features 19 reproductions of original Smokey Bear paintings created by artist Rudy Wendelin as part of the National Wildfire Prevention Campaign that is administered by the USDA Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council. 

Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest-running public service advertising campaign in US history, educating generations of Americans about their role in preventing human-caused wildfires. This exhibit is traveling around the country in celebration of Smokey Bear’s 80th anniversary. Artifacts from the museum’s collection, private collections, and the Prescott National Forest will be on display alongside the paintings to speak towards wildfire prevention.

There will be a special event Lecture Presentation Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 2 PM.
Learn about Firewise and fire prevention in the Greater Prescott Area Wildfire Protection and Restoration High Priority Fireshed.
No registration required. Free Admission on Saturday, May 25th, 2024.