Category Archives: Local history

On the Road: How Wyoming’s New Roving Archivist Program is Supporting Local History

Posted on January 6, 2025 by ahcadmin

Imagine trying to preserve a century-old photograph album in a historic building with challenging climate controls or figuring out how to digitize thousands of irreplaceable documents with limited resources. Across Wyoming, local institutions face daily challenges as they work to … Continue reading →

Posted in Archival work, Community Impact, Local history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Independence Day in the Cowboy State: A Look at Wyoming’s Traditions

Posted on July 1, 2024 by ahcadmin

Happy Independence Day! 248 years of independence, and Wyoming’s been celebrating in style. From fur traders to rodeo riders, here’s how our state has marked America’s birthday. We’re highlighting a few of Wyoming’s Fourth of July traditions and featuring some … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Local history, Local Traditions, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

AHC Grants in Action: Uncovering the Coal Mining Heritage of Kemmerer and Diamondville

Posted on February 12, 2024 by ahcadmin

He laid the objects thoughtfully on top of the three card tables in his garage, a showcase of coveted and kept personal history of his family’s deep connection with the town, and with coal. Frank Scigliano is a third generation … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal industry, community collections, Community Impact, Community Stories, Labor History, Local history, mining history, oral histories, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Madam’s Scrapbook: Remnants of Laramie’s Red-Light District

Posted on February 13, 2023 by ahcadmin

On the corner of the town stands a crazy, tumble-down rookery, full from cellar to shingles of liquors, gambling devices and everything that can be used to corrupt and rob men. Ruffians and tin-horn gamblers make night and day hideous … Continue reading →

Posted in Laramie, Local history, Prostitution, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized, Western history, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The “Peculiar Vibrations” of the Sweetwater County Seat

Posted on November 14, 2022 by ahcadmin

Were some of Sweetwater County’s earliest records stolen from the new county seat and lost in the desert way back in the 1870s? This is a popular story around Green River, the current Sweetwater County seat. It turns out, there … Continue reading →

Posted in Local history, mining history, Scandals, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating Archives Month (Hint: It’s actually bigger than just a month)

Posted on October 3, 2022 by ahcadmin

October is American Archives Month! To celebrate, we’re highlighting ways in which archives are staying involved in current events around the world, featuring the American Heritage Center’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wyoming. Archives like the AHC assist communities … Continue reading →

Posted in American Archives Month, American Heritage Center, Coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19, Digital collections, Local history, Pandemics, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From Pastures to Prosperity: A History of Powell, Wyoming

Posted on May 16, 2022 by ahcadmin

In honor of the incorporation of Powell Wyoming on May 10, 1910, here is a brief history and glance at the city. The history of Powell, Wyoming is long and storied. The Powell area was first discovered by white men … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural history, Interns' projects, Local history, Uncategorized, water resources, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

In Focus: The Photography of Lora Webb Nichols

Posted on April 25, 2022 by ahcadmin

Explore history through the lens of Lora Webb Nichols, a longtime resident of Encampment, Wyoming, in an American Heritage Center’s virtual exhibit. The curated exhibit showcases a selection from Nichols’ extensive collection of photographs, providing a glimpse into the past, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local history, Photographic collections, Photography, Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Laramie’s Latin American Club

Posted on September 13, 2021 by ahcadmin

September 15 through October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Wyoming has a historically significant Hispanic and Manito population, some of whom came and went for work while others made Wyoming their home. Spanish-speaking people from northern New Mexico, called … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration, Laramie, Local history, Manitos, Mexican-American history, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Emancipation Day at Cheyenne’s Allen Chapel AME Church

Posted on April 12, 2021 by ahcadmin

You’ve probably heard of Juneteenth, but have you ever heard of Emancipation Day? Emancipation Day has been celebrated on different dates in the U.S. since the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. The tradition of Watch … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, community collections, Digital collections, Local history, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment