The White Pine Public Museum is thrilled to announce a special donation from celebrated local cowboy artist Larry Bute, who generously donated a hand tinted, framed print of his piece titled “Pony Express Territory” on April 23, 2025.
This stunning artwork, originally created in 2007 for Nevada’s Pony Express Territory, is 1 of only 50 prints produced. The piece serves as both a work of art and a piece of cultural history, honoring the legendary Pony Express riders who once galloped through the heart of central and eastern Nevada.
Pictured from left to right showing off the piece of art: Front Row – Mark Bassett – President of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, Mya Burdick – Executive Director of the White Pine Public Museum & McGill Historic Drug Store Museum, Larry Bute – Local Cowboy Illustrator, Errol Porter,
Bill Wilson. Back Row – Wayne Cameron, Bill Wolf, and Kyle Horvath.
Larry Bute, a lifelong Nevadan and longtime resident of White Pine County, is widely recognized for his vivid depictions of western life, drawing inspiration from his years spent as a working cowboy. His murals and paintings, found throughout Ely and rural Nevada, have captured the essence of ranching culture and the untamed spirit of the Great Basin. Through this latest donation, Bute continues to preserve the legacy of the American West, sharing it with future generations through the lens of fine art.
The donated piece, “Pony Express Territory,” is now on public display in the museum’s Pony Express exhibit, which features a growing collection of artifacts and stories related to the region’s rich frontier past. The addition of Bute’s print enhances this exhibit with a vibrant, artistic interpretation of the iconic mail route that connected the nation during one of its most adventurous eras.
“We are deeply honored to receive this donation from Larry Bute. This donation allows us to better tell the Story of the Pony Express here in White Pine County,” said the museum’s Executive Director. “This piece beautifully complements our mission to preserve and interpret our region’s unique history.”
The White Pine Public Museum invites all residents and visitors to stop by and view this one-of-a-kind piece. It stands as a testament not only to the enduring legacy of Pony Express but also to the incredible artistic talent found right here in our own community.
Visit the White Pine Public Museum at 2000 Aultman Street in Ely, Nevada, and explore our full collection of exhibits celebrating the diverse history of White Pine County.
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