Category Archives: Political history

Wyoming’s Nuclear Response to Project Plowshare

Vice President Richard Nixon delivered these words in October 1960 to a Toledo, Ohio, fraternity group: “Our plan to develop peaceful constructive uses of nuclear explosives has been given the name of Project Plowshare, because it is literally an attempt … Continue reading

Posted in Cold War, energy resources, environmental history, Nuclear energy, Political history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Studying the Black Power Movement at the AHC 

Researchers looking for information on the Black Freedom Movement can find relevant materials throughout the collections held at the American Heritage Center. These include the papers of Wyoming politician Harriet Byrd, bull rider Abe Morris, African American church records, and … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Black history, Black History Month, Political history, Social justice, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, women's history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole National Monument Controversy

Grand Teton National Park – one of the most beautiful spots in Wyoming – turns 93 on February 26. It was originally a Native American hunting ground. British and American fur traders were drawn to the area for its exceptionally … Continue reading

Posted in conservation, environmental history, National Parks, Political history, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 27th marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which coincides with the date that the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp was liberated by Soviet troops in 1945. In that vein, we will delve into two World War II era collections at the American … Continue reading

Posted in Holocaust Days of Remembrance, military history, Political history, Post World War II, Uncategorized, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr./Wyoming Equality Day

Martin Luther King, Jr./Wyoming Equality Day falls on the third Monday in January. It marks a time of remembrance and reflection on the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his relentless quest for equality, human rights … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Martin Luther King Jr., Political history, Social justice, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mrs. Money – Nellie Tayloe Ross

While Nellie Tayloe Ross is often remembered for being Wyoming’s first and only female governor, it is lesser known that she spent most of her career as the Director of the U.S. Mint. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed her to … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Political history, Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The aroma of hypocrisy”: The Development of “Molasses to Rum” in 1776.

As a musical theatre scholar, it isn’t often that my search for archival materials takes me outside of New York City. As a result, it was a pleasure to be able to visit the American Heritage Center in Laramie, Wyoming. … Continue reading

Posted in African American history, Composers, music, Musicals, Political history, Slavery, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

University of Wyoming’s Afghanistan Mission, 1953 to 1973

The current troubling events in Afghanistan brings to mind the bond that the University of Wyoming once enjoyed with that country. Under George “Duke” Humphrey – UW’s president from 1945 to 1964 – the university began developing international programs to … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Agricultural history, Agriculture, Political history, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Celebrating the Stars and Stripes – Flag Day

June 14th marks the celebration of Flag Day in the United States. The date is significant in that the Second Continental Congress had, on that day in 1777, adopted the “Stars and Stripes” as the flag of a budding nation. … Continue reading

Posted in Holidays, Immigration, Immigration Policy, Political history, Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Reluctant Taxer Stan Hathaway

In February 1969, Wyoming Governor Stan Hathaway took pen in hand to enact a 1% severance tax rate on all mineral production. Wyoming had levied no severance taxes on minerals from the time of statehood in 1890 until that time. Legislative rumblings for … Continue reading

Posted in Economic History, energy resources, Political history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment