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Cody attractions draw gun enthusiasts
By Anthony McConnell
This document was published online on Monday, June 16, 2008
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| People browse through a collection of firearms and other items during the Winchester Club of America Gun Show on Saturday at the Riley Arena. (Photo by Ken Blackbird) |
It wasn't only guns that attracted hundreds of Winchester Club of America members to Cody last weekend.
“Many of our members attend because of Cody and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center,” club president Joe Salter said of the annual gun show. “The show is an excuse for many of us to come here.”
The show attracted 40-50 dealers selling everything involving Winchester products, from vintage rifles to tennis racquets and posters. More than 200 club members attended the show at the Riley Arena on Thursday-Sunday. Membership also doubled at the meeting.
The club was founded in 1980 to “promote friendship and camaraderie among those interested in all things Winchester,” Salter said.
He said the show is an opportunity for people to socialize and swap stories and collectibles.
“It's not uncommon to hear people say, ‘Wow, where did you find that?' or ‘I've never seen one of those,'” Salter said. “It really is a great experience.”
Salter, a Canadian, says the irony of his citizenship isn't lost on him or other club members.
“It's funny. I'm Canadian and president of the Winchester Club of America,” he said with a laugh. “I do have a business in America. A few people tease me about it, but it's all in fun.”
Salter owns Downeast Antiques and Collectables in Amherst, N.H., and has been visiting Cody for about 15 years.
“Cody's great,” he said. “You have Yellowstone, the mountains and the largest firearms museum. I just love it here.”
It was in the 1950s when Salter started collecting firearms. In need of cash, he started selling them, too.
“What started as a hobby a half century ago turned into a full-time career,” Salter said. “I'm probably a typical example of how most people get started.”
This was the first year the club conducted its show at the Riley Arena. It had been at Cody High School, but increased demand for dealer space necessitated a move to a larger venue, Salter said.
“We're growing and needed the space,” he said. “This is really a more convenient location for our club members.”
He added the prospect of a proposed events center on the grounds of the BBHC would be attractive to the club.
“Many of our members visit the BBHC and we have a really good relationship with the Cody Firearms Museum” he said.
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Reverend John M. Hollander wrote on Nov 29, 2008 11:02 AM:
Buy doing so, will stop development, will preserve the beauty and the wildlife.
Too Often Historical properties are done by photographs.
Standing on a special piece of Property with huge significant Historical History gives you a feeling that is unexplainable.
Have you tried it.
Go to the property, the old Barn of Codys and stand inside there and tell me the feeling that you get.
My email address is Sprinklesdead@yahoo.com or you may call me at 612-296-9159.
We have to stop preserving Historical Property by photographs, but letting people feel themselves the actions that were taken there.
Reverend John M. Hollander
612-296-9159
Sprinklesdead@yahoo.com "