Steve Friesen was born in Lawrence, Kansas and grew up in the small Kansas town of Buhler. He attended Bethel College, a Mennonite school in North Newton, Kansas, where he received a BA in History and Social Sciences with a minor in Peace Studies. In 1975 - 76 he attended the Cooperstown Graduate Program of SUNY Oneonta, receiving an MA in American Folk Culture. He has worked at various museums in Colorado, Kansas and Pennsylvania since 1976. His first book A Modest Mennonite Home was written while he was Director of the 1719 Hans Herr House. It explores 18th century Mennonite/Pennsylvania German history and culture. Following two years as Director of the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver, Friesen moved to the top of Lookout Mountain overlooking Denver. There became Director of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, a position he has held since 1995. Buffalo Bill: Scout, Showman, Visionary is based upon research done by Friesen during the past fifteen years at the museum. In addition to writing and researching the book, he also did most of the artifact photography for the book, which includes 250 images of artifacts and historic photos.
