Category Archives: women’s history

Female Fire Finders of the American Forests

Standing guard atop a lookout tower dozens of feet above the forest floor, female fire finders, sometimes called “lady lookouts” have been helping to protect American forests since before World War I. Hallie Morse Daggett was the first female lookout … Continue reading

Posted in conservation, Environment, Forests, U.S. Forest Service, Uncategorized, Wildfire, women's history, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Loving Frank: Romance on the Transcontinental Railroad

It might surprise you to find romance amid the story of the back-breaking and dangerous labor involved in building the transcontinental railroad. But we have one for you. We’re commemorating the anniversary of the joining of the Central Pacific and … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, Biography and profiles, Railroad History, Uncategorized, Western history, Westward migration, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In Focus: The Photography of Lora Webb Nichols

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

Frontier Life Chronicles: The Legacy of Mable Wyoming Cheney Moudy

Mable Wyoming Cheney was born on May 2, 1878, in Atlantic City, near South Pass, Wyoming. Her father, Ervin F. Cheney (1844-1922), came west to Fort Sanders as a soldier after the Civil War. He helped survey the town of … Continue reading

Posted in Biography and profiles, Laramie, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Western history, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mary Hayden Burgess: “Doughnut Dolly” of the American Red Cross

March is Red Cross month, proclaimed by its honorary chairman, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in March 1943. The American Red Cross has been supporting the troops since the 1890s.  Its operations, since the attack on Pearl Harbor, expanded in more … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, women's history, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Caroline Lockhart: Cody’s Wild West Woman

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s explore the life and times of one Caroline Lockhart! Caroline Lockhart, born February 24, 1871, is just one of Wyoming’s many famous women. She moved to Cody, Wyoming, in 1904 and remained there … Continue reading

Posted in Rodeo history, Uncategorized, Western history, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 Elizabeth Byrd, bull rider Abe Morris, African American church records, … 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

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

Whet Your Appetite for Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving means tables groaning with food, and families and friends gathered in fellowship. So, in that spirit, let’s delve into a sampling of the cookbooks that are part of the American Heritage Center’s Toppan Rare Books Library. Fannie Merritt Farmer’s … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Holidays, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized, women's history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Suffrage for Women – The Push to Ratify the 19th Amendment

On August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment was ratified, guaranteeing American women the right to vote. Before that date, Wyoming women had long been known for leading trailblazing efforts towards women’s rights. In 1869, the territory was the first in … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Politics, Suffrage -- United States, Uncategorized, Women -- suffrage, women's history, Women's suffrage, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment