Post contributed by Paul Flesher, Director of the American Heritage Center

Did you ever want to know more about the history of Wyoming—the state we all know and love—in an accessible way? If so, then Wyoming’s History in 76 Objects and Places: Taking Stock at America’s 250th Anniversary is the book for you. The volume dives into the state’s history and brings the best moments and accomplishments to light—by connecting them to 76 historic objects and places. Turning its pages, you will discover obvious choices—with new insights—and hidden historical gems.

This is a different kind of history book. Rather than provide an ongoing narrative about people and events, it ignores the historical sequence and gives readers an opportunity to dip into key aspects of Wyoming’s past. By focusing on objects and places that were important to Wyoming’s people, it provides a look at the visual past. Some objects are small and personal, such as hats or skis, others are larger, like sheep wagons or flags. Some places are buildings, such as Wyoming’s state capital or Fort Laramie’s “Old Bedlam,” others are natural sites, such as Heart Mountain or Crowheart Butte. Every object and place was chosen because it was given importance by Wyoming’s people.

The volume’s objects range in time from when only indigenous peoples lived in Wyoming to the twenty-first century and come from across the state. They include Devils Tower and Chief Washakie’s peace pipe, the Cheyenne-Deadwood stage and the Dale Creek bridge on the transcontinental railroad, the cowboy hat and the saddle, Lincoln’s statue on the Lincoln Highway, the Green River Rendezvous, and even jackalopes. Written by more than 50 experts from around Wyoming, these pieces provide reliable insights to their subjects.

The book’s lack of explicit connections among the objects enables readers to seek out and identify links themselves. This makes it a fun read for students and teachers, for book clubs, for people who are passionate about Wyoming’s past, and for any Wyoming resident who wants to know more about Wyoming’s history—all of whom can enjoy working out historic connections among many of the objects.

For example, in the days before wrist watches and mobile phones, Wyomingites used steam whistles in coal mines and cavalry bugles to communicate over small distances. But Wyoming also engaged in long-range communication by helping connect the eastern and western halves of the nation. It helped stage the Pony Express (represented in the book by its mochila mailbag) and the airmail of the transcontinental airway (represented by the concrete arrows across southern Wyoming).

There are many other topics where several of the book’s objects connect. Let me suggest just a few: Wyoming’s ranching and agriculture industry, recreation and entertainment, the changes in transportation, and Wyoming’s place at the forefront of women’s rights.

Wyoming’s History in 76 Objects and Places is part of Wyoming’s celebration of America’s milestone: 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, the document that called America’s people to independence, liberty, and equality. Seventy-six objects were chosen for this book to celebrate that year 250 years ago—1776.

Look for Wyoming’s History in 76 Objects and Places in your county library, your local bookstore or museum shop, at Wordsworth Publishing’s website, or online at Amazon (print and Kindle) and read your copy today. (The book also makes a great Christmas gift!)

Wyoming’s History in 76 Objects and Places: Taking Stock at America’s 250th Anniversary. Paul V. M. Flesher, editor. (Cody, WY: Wordsworth Publishing, 2026)