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The Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center (BBDVC) is located 6 miles west of Cody on the way to Yellowstone National Park, at the Buffalo Bill Dam (just through the tunnels). Opened in May 1993 as a combination Visitor Center and Wyoming Highway Rest Area, the Visitor Center is operated by the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center, Inc., a non-profit corporation formed to provide 50% financing for construction of the facility and operation of it thereafter. Actual running of the Center is performed in conformance with a Memorandum of Understanding between BBDVC, Inc., the US Bureau of Reclamation, the US Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service. Design of the displays and exhibits represent each participating entity's particular messages of general interest. An Exhibit Oversight Committee (EOC) is responsible for periodic review and updating of the displays. The BBDVC, Inc. Board of Directors is responsible for the operation and maintaining of the entire Center and finances this through the sale of engraved paving blocks, donations, and sale of dam-related items in the Gift Shop. A manager is employed to supervise the approximate 35 volunteers and one person each from the government entities involved, who run the Gift Shop and meet and greet visitors. It is just minutes away from Cody's famous Buffalo Bill Historical Center, which includes the The Buffalo Bill Museum, The Whitney Gallery of Western Art, The Cody Firearms Museum, The Plains Indian Museum and the newest addition, the Draper Museum of Natural History. Open annually approximately May 1 through September, the Visitor Center is operated by the BBDVC Board of Directors, a manager and assistant manager, and volunteers. The hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. A non-profit organization, the Visitor Center relies solely on sales of merchandise, donations, and the sale of Paving Blocks, which occupy the walkway to the Center.