The Quarter Circle A ranch is typical of the more prosperous ranches of the Big Horn, Wyoming area. Here Bradford Brinton raised horses and cattle, entertained distinguished guests, enjoyed the scenic mountains and plains, and collected aspects of an older West. When he died in 1936, his sister, Helen Brinton, became the owner of the ranch. She kept it as a summer home until her death in 1960.

The house was built in 1892 by two Scotsmen, William and Malcolm Moncreiffe. In 1923 Bradford Brinton purchased the house and enlarged it to its present 20 rooms. Bradford, and later Helen, tastefully decorated and furnished the house with fine furniture, his collections of western art, Indian crafts, books, and historic documents.

Though a native of Illinois, Brinton loved Wyoming and the West and was particularly enamored with the work of western artists. He considered many now famous artists among his friends, and they benefited from his encouragement and patronage.

Helen Brinton, wishing to share her brother's fine collections with future generations, established the Bradford Brinton Memorial Ranch in her will to commemorate western art and culture. The Bradford Brinton Memorial Ranch opened in 1961. It is maintained and administered by The Northern Trust Company of Chicago, Illinois. It is open daily 9:30 a.m. until 5: p.m., May 15th through Labor Day.