Robert Burns
Memorial Statue
A bronze monument honoring Scotland's beloved poet and lyricist, the "Ploughman Poet" best known for writing "Auld Lang Syne," standing at 2610 Pioneer Ave in Cheyenne.
Monument Details
Donor
Mary Gilchrist donated the monument to the City of Cheyenne in 1928, with dedication in 1929. She was the widow of Andrew Gilchrist, a Wyoming cattle baron and native of Ayrshire, Scotland, where Burns was born.
Sculptor
The statue was created by Henry Snell Gamley (1865–1928), a Scottish artist who captured Burns in 18th-century attire.
Architect
William DuBois designed the monument's overall structure and pedestal.
Design
The statue is a 6.5-foot-high bronze figure of Burns standing on a 12.5-foot pedestal of Georgia gray granite, creating an imposing and dignified memorial.
Inscribed Poetry
"From scenes like these old Scotia's grandeur springs
That makes her lov'd at home, rever'd abroad
Princes and lords are but the breath of kings
'An honest man's the noblest work of God'"
— Robert Burns
Location
Address
2610 Pioneer Ave, Cheyenne, WY
Setting
The statue is located in a small triangular park at the intersection of Pioneer Ave, Randall Ave, and 26th St.
About Robert Burns
Early Life
Born into poverty in Alloway, Scotland (1759–1796), he worked as a tenant farmer while pursuing his passion for poetry.
Literary Impact
A pioneer of the Romantic movement, he wrote in both Scots language and English, celebrating nature, love, and egalitarian values.
Notable Works
Besides "Auld Lang Syne," his famous poems include "Tam o' Shanter," "To a Mouse," and "A Red, Red Rose".
Legacy
He died at age 37 in 1796 from a rheumatic heart condition, but remains Scotland's most beloved poet and cultural icon.
Visit the Memorial
Experience this tribute to Scotland's National Bard in the heart of Cheyenne.
Get DirectionsHistory & Background
Robert Burns (1759–1796) was Scotland's national poet, author of "Auld Lang Syne," "Scots Wha Hae," and "To a Mouse" — poems that have endured for over two centuries and are known worldwide. Born into a farming family in Ayrshire, Burns wrote in both Scots dialect and English, celebrating ordinary Scottish life, romantic love, egalitarian values, and a fierce pride in Scottish identity that resonated deeply with working people during his lifetime and continues to inspire. He died at 37, leaving behind a remarkable body of work that has influenced poets and songwriters ever since.
The tradition of erecting Robert Burns statues in communities with Scottish heritage spread throughout the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as Scottish immigrant communities sought to honor their cultural heritage in their new homeland. Scottish immigration to Wyoming came in multiple waves — through the cattle industry (Scottish investors were heavily involved in Wyoming's cattle boom of the 1870s and 1880s), through railroad construction, and through mining. Many Wyoming communities had active Scottish societies and Burns Club chapters that celebrated Burns Night on January 25th, the poet's birthday.
Burns Night celebrations, held worldwide on January 25th, involve the traditional Scottish supper of haggis, neeps, and tatties; the recitation of Burns's poems including "Address to a Haggis"; toasts to the Immortal Memory of Burns; and singing of Scots songs including "Auld Lang Syne." Wyoming's Scottish heritage, while not as visible as its cowboy identity, is a genuine thread in the state's history. A Robert Burns memorial statue in Wyoming acknowledges this heritage and connects the state to Scotland's long tradition of celebrating literature, egalitarianism, and cultural pride.
Nearby Attractions
Wyoming State Museum (Cheyenne)
Free admission and comprehensive coverage of Wyoming's natural and human history. The museum documents the state's diverse heritage, including the contributions of immigrant communities — Scottish, German, Scandinavian, Chinese, and others — who built Wyoming alongside its Indigenous populations and cattle ranchers. Open Tuesday through Saturday.
Cheyenne Frontier Days
The "Daddy of 'em All" rodeo has been held annually since 1897, celebrating Western heritage with ten days of rodeo competition, concerts, parades, and community events each July. It draws over 200,000 visitors annually and remains one of the largest outdoor rodeos in the world, providing an immersive experience in the cowboy culture that defines Wyoming's public identity.
Historic Governors' Mansion
The 1905 Colonial Revival mansion in Cheyenne served as Wyoming's governors' residence until 1976. Now a historic house museum, it was home to Nellie Tayloe Ross, America's first woman governor, who served from 1925 to 1927. The restored interior offers insight into early 20th century Wyoming political life and domestic culture.