Before Planting Fields, there was Coe Lodge.
Opening in January 2027, Home on the Range is an exhibition that explores a lesser-known chapter in the life of W.R. Coe and the influences that shaped his world beyond Planting Fields. Through Coe Lodge, his Wyoming retreat, this exhibition offers a glimpse into W.R.’s deep appreciation for the American West, brought to life through the distinctive interiors of Thomas Molesworth, known for his “Western Gothic” design.
Though born in England, W.R. developed a strong affinity for the American West and the ideals of independence, individualism, and resilience associated with its landscape and culture. Through never-before-seen archival materials and objects from the Coe family collection, including 1930s film footage of Wyoming and documentation of W.R.’s Western Americana collection and American Studies program, Home on the Range reveals a more personal dimension of the man behind Planting Fields and his family legacy in Wyoming.
More details on the opening coming soon!
All images: W.R., Caroline, and grandson Michael Coe, circa 1940s. Courtesy of Planting Fields Foundation Archives.