Category Archives: Political history

Legacy 101: How Wyoming Remembers Nellie Tayloe Ross

On December 20, 1977, The Wyoming Eagle marked Nellie Tayloe Ross’ death with a simple but powerful headline: “Nellie Tayloe Ross Dies at 101.” Beneath it, the paper summarized her lifetime of public service and listed her achievements as first … Continue reading

Posted in Biography and profiles, Political history, Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Remembering Al: A Friend Who Just Happened to Be a Senator

On March 14, we lost Al Simpson. My heart feels heavy as I write these words. At the American Heritage Center, we knew him like so many others did—as a benefactor, yes, but more importantly, as a friend. I’ve been … Continue reading

Posted in Alan K. Simpson Institute for Western Politics and Leadership, American Heritage Center, Memorial Tributes, Political history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Senator Lester Hunt: Life, Legacy, and 70th Anniversary Commemoration

Lester C. Hunt, a U.S. Senator from Wyoming, tragically took his own life on June 19, 1954, at his office in the Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. This year marks the 70th anniversary of this somber event that left … Continue reading

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Truth to Power: US Senator McGee’s Fight Echoed in “Oppenheimer”

Senator Gale McGee of Wyoming was an important figure in the groundswell of political change occurring in his time. Notably, as one of the rare Democrats in the state’s predominantly political sphere, he brought his extensive knowledge of history to … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Biography and profiles, Entertainment history, Film History, Hollywood history, Motion picture actors and actresses, Political controversy, Political history, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unveiling the Language of Anti-Environmentalism: Insights from the James Watt and Malcolm Wallop Papers

As a recipient of the AHC’s 2021 Alan K. Simpson Fellowship in Western Political History, my research project delved into the intriguing world of two influential figures, James Watt and Malcolm Wallop, to shed light on their roles in shaping … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Anti-environmentalism, Biography and profiles, Conservative politics, environmental history, Environmental policy, Political history, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

John B. Kendrick and the Teapot Dome Scandal: A Historical Perspective

100 years ago, on October 25, 1923, the U.S. Senate Committee on Public Lands published its first report on the Teapot Dome scandal. The scandal stands as one of the most notorious episodes of political corruption in American history. Centered … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Corruption and scandals, Government accountability, Historical scandals, Petroleum history, Political controversy, Political history, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Oppenheimer” and the Wyoming Senator Who Defied the U.S. President

Christopher Nolan’s latest film Oppenheimer depicts the dramatic events that surrounded the development of the atomic bomb and its aftermath. One of the key episodes in the film is the confirmation hearings for Lewis Strauss, who was nominated by President … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Government accountability, Political controversy, Political history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

James Watt: From Wyoming’s Landscapes to Political Stances, Faith as a Driving Force

James “Jim” Watt, the former Interior Secretary, passed away on May 27, 2023, at the age of 85. While his tenure as Interior Secretary during the Reagan administration defined him, his career spanned various roles and contributions. Born and raised … Continue reading

Posted in American history, conservation, Economic Geology, energy resources, environmental history, Natural resources, oral histories, Political controversy, Political history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“What Did the President Know, and When Did He Know It?” – The Watergate Hearings of 1973

May 17, 2023, marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the hearings of the Senate Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities. More commonly known as the Watergate hearings, the inquiry focused the attention of the American public on the activities … Continue reading

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Wyoming’s Grand Old Man Joseph Carey

Many people who have visited Wyoming’s capitol city at one time or another have probably driven on Carey Avenue. This well-traveled thoroughfare goes through the heart of Cheyenne on the west side of the State Capitol. But from where does … Continue reading

Posted in Family history, Political history, Suffrage -- United States, Uncategorized, Women -- suffrage, Women's suffrage, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment