North American Bison Discovery Center
Business Owner: Nonprofit; Executive Director Ilana Xinos
Location: 500 17th St SE Jamestown Phone: 701-252-8648 Email: info@bisoncenter.org
About:
In 1991 a visionary group of leaders in the small community of Jamestown, North Dakota founded the North Dakota Buffalo Foundation (NDBF), also known as the National Buffalo Museum. Their goal was simple yet profound – to share the incredible story of the bison, unfolding beneath the watchful gaze of the World’s Largest Buffalo monument, a 26-foot-tall, 60-ton concrete statue that has been standing watch over Jamestown since 1959, and has heralded its identity as “The Buffalo City.”
Around the same time, the National Buffalo Foundation headquartered in Pierre, SD, sought a suitable venue to display its growing collection of bison-related artifacts, artwork, and historical items from the bison trade.
This initiative not only gave rise to a museum but introduced a live herd to the landscape and marked the beginning of our advocacy on behalf of the majestic North American bison. Today, we are dedicated to raising awareness about the North American bison and advocating for their sustainable population restoration. We celebrate our national mammal, and we introduce new audiences to this majestic creature. Because to know bison is to love them.
Fun Fact:
This is our second year hosting A Very Bison Christmas, our family-friendly holiday celebration that run from Dec 1-23. It’s packed full with storytimes, photo opportunities with Santa, special discounts in our Gift Shop, a chance to vote for your favorite Christmas tree, and more. As a nonprofit, any donation or purchase you make goes directly to support our organization and our mission. So not only can you have a great experience learning more about the North American bison or grab a gift for the bison enthusiast in your life, but you’re helping us introduce the next generation to bison and both their historical and current importance culturally, ecologically, and economically.
