Category Archives: Uncategorized

From Vision to Legacy: The Milward L. Simpson Fund’s Enduring Impact on UW Political Science

The University of Wyoming’s Milward L. Simpson Fund for Political Science is more than a scholarship endowment or lecture fund – it’s a living legacy of civic service and academic ambition that has shaped the university for over half a … Continue reading

Posted in Academia, Education, Political history, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Behind the Scenes at the Cone: Photo and Audio at the American Heritage Center

This coming fall will mark, by my always-right-humanities-math, just about two years of working here at the American Heritage Center. Although I started my time at the AHC as a lucky intern, I now am one of three Photo/AV Archivist … Continue reading

Posted in American Heritage Center, Archival work, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Fayr Bryght Shynynge Scalyd Fysshes”: How to Fish with Dame Juliana Berners

Izaak Walton’s 17th century book, The Complete Angler (1653), has gone down in history as one of the most famous treatises on fish and fishing. However, it was not the first of its kind. That honor goes to Dame Juliana … Continue reading

Posted in Feminism, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized, Women in History, Women in Publishing, Women Writers, women's history | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Confronting Difficult History: Blackface in Wyoming’s Photographic Past

When I first encountered these photographs in the American Heritage Center’s collections, I was genuinely jarred. As a white person researching these images from 1920s-30s Wyoming, I found myself uncomfortable and unsettled. My immediate reaction was emotional rather than academic … Continue reading

Posted in Collections Highlights, Racism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Behind the Mountain: The Story of the Centennial Complex

When you approach the University of Wyoming’s Centennial Complex, you’re met with an imposing sight: a massive cone rising from the earth, its dark metal skin catching the Wyoming light. It’s unlike any other building on campus—or frankly, anywhere else. … Continue reading

Posted in American Heritage Center, Architecture, Centennial Complex, Uncategorized, University Architecture, University of Wyoming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Edith “Jackie” Ronne – Antarctica’s First Lady

Edith “Jackie” Ronne didn’t plan to spend fifteen months on an Antarctic research expedition. But when her husband Finn Ronne mounted a privately financed exploration of the southern continent, Jackie found herself drawn steadily—and then decisively—into the venture. Born in … Continue reading

Posted in Explorers, Uncategorized, Women Adventurers, Women in History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Field Notes from Wyoming’s Roving Archivist

Since starting my position in August 2025, I have been to 19 of the 23 counties, meeting with cultural heritage institutions along the way. Each meeting ranges from a simple “Hi, I’m the Roving Archivist,” to a tour of the … Continue reading

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Vera Marshe and the Lucky ‘E’

Few performers can claim they’ve danced with Fred Astaire, acted alongside the voice of Winnie the Pooh, and collected autographs from Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Vera Marshe did all three. She was a Minnesota native, and an early performer. … Continue reading

Posted in Collections Highlights, Hollywood history, Performing Arts, Uncategorized, Women in Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Whirlwind Romance of Will and Lulu

Louisa’s mad, And I am glad, And I know how to please her! A bottle of wine To make her fine And her handsome beau to squeeze her! So taunted the children on the sidewalk by the home of Louisa … Continue reading

Posted in American West, Biography and profiles, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The American Heritage Center Provides Original Image for the State’s New Rodeo License Plate

One of the most iconic rodeo photographs ever taken is now featured on Wyoming’s new rodeo specialty license plate. The scene depicted on the license plate comes from an original image by Burt C. Buffum, whose collection of photographs and … Continue reading

Posted in Photography, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment