Category Archives: Western history
Wyoming statehood: A load of “blatherskitism”?
On July 10, we celebrate Wyoming’s entry into the Union in 1890, but not all of our territorial predecessors were enthusiastic in the years leading up to that historic event. Political machinations and ambitions were at play. Leading the charge … Continue reading
Somewhere West of Laramie
“Somewhere west of Laramie there’s a broncho-busting, steer-roping girl who knows what I’m talking about.” So began a 1923 magazine advertisement that became legendary. National advertising firms use Wyoming scenes as backdrops to pitch everything from yogurt to beer, even … Continue reading
UW Graduate Student Finds Inspiration in Tim McCoy Papers
The American heritage Center serves as a research institution for researchers of all kinds. Any given week the reading room is filled with historians writing books to young students working on class projects. For international American Studies graduate student, Constantin … Continue reading
Mick McMurry’s Contributions to Wyoming Extended Far and Wide
In 2010, the AHC began an oral history project to look at the effects of natural gas development on Sublette County, Wyoming. We interviewed more than forty people; many were residents of Sublette County, but there was also a number … Continue reading
American National CattleWomen Films Now Available Online
Good news! The University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center (AHC) has digitized and made accessible online 16 films and video from the American National CattleWomen records. The collection as a whole documents the promotional activities of the organization, especially the … Continue reading
Teapot Dome featured on BBC’s Downton Abbey
History on the BBC’s Downton Abbey crosses the Atlantic and comes to Wyoming. Recently, on season 4 episode 7 of the popular miniseries, the Dowager Countess explains why Lord Grantham travels to the United States; it turns out he is … Continue reading
Black History Month Highlight: Stepp Family Ranch
In honor of Black History month, the AHC would like to celebrate African-American experiences in the west by sharing this photograph of the Stepp family; taken on Alonzo T. Stepp’s ranch in the 1920s. Originally from Berea, Kentucky, Alonzo Stepp … Continue reading
