Category Archives: Wyoming history

The Mail Must Go Through!

A rider and his horse thunder into view over the desert horizon, barreling towards the way-station where water and a fresh horse await. As the rider leaps off his horse and onto another, his mail bag swinging from his hand, … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, American history, American West, Transportation history, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dirty and Difficult: Laboring in Wyoming’s Early Sugar Beet Industry

Like many American industries, the sugar beet trade grew from perceived opportunity and weakening in other formerly profitable U.S. markets. A decline in mining and agriculture in the 1890s led some entrepreneurs to seek their fortunes elsewhere. The sugar beet … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural history, Economic History, Immigration, Immigration Policy, Latin American history, Migrant labor, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mardy and Olaus Murie, Conservation Enthusiasts

Margaret (Mardy) and Olaus Murie were fiercely dedicated to protecting America’s most beautiful places and wildlife. The couple enriched the concept of conservation, all while experiencing the outdoors and enjoying the wildlife and beautiful scenery around them. The story of … Continue reading →

Posted in conservation, environmental history, National Parks, Natural resources, Uncategorized, 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

Wyoming’s China Mary

In celebration of Chinese New Year on February 12, we’re featuring the life of Wyoming’s China Mary, a longtime resident of Evanston. Most Americans opted to call the Chinese living among them “John” or “Mary” in lieu of learning their … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian American history, Chinese Americans, Holidays, Immigration, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

U.S. Senator Gale McGee Buttonholed by Mom and Dad

The presidential inauguration last week brings to mind a couple of fun stories told by former U.S. Senator Gale McGee of Wyoming. In 1982, an oral history was conducted with McGee for placement in the John F. Kennedy Library. McGee … Continue reading →

Posted in Political history, Politics, Post World War II, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Carrie Burton Overton, UW’s First African American Female Student

Author, Wyoming historian, and sixth generation Laramie native Kim Viner wrote a wonderful article in WyoHistory.org about Carrie Burton Overton, the University of Wyoming’s first African American female student. In this post I’d like to spotlight information that Kim discovered. … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, Biography and profiles, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, University of Wyoming history, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Check Out the American Heritage Center’s Virtual Exhibits!

2020 was a banner year for new American Heritage Center virtual exhibits. Take a look this selection of what we’ve been working on this past year. “Stampede” by Jerry Palen During the course of its 43 year run, “Stampede” became … Continue reading →

Posted in announcements, cartoons, Digital collections, exhibits, found in the archive, Photographic collections, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Remembering the Good and the Bad: AHC Collecting COVID-19 Continues into Holiday Season and Spring 2021

The holidays starting with Halloween through the Chinese New Year in January have traditionally been a time of celebrations, parties, and gatherings with co-workers, friends, family, and loved ones. With the continued spread of COVID-19 globally, the CDC and Department … Continue reading →

Posted in community collections, Coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19, Current events, Digital collections, Holidays, Pandemics, Public health, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finis Mitchell (and Matthew Troyanek) Trailing through the Wind Rivers

In my preparations to become a backpacker seeking adventures in Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains, my research led me to take the footsteps of a man from the golden age of American mountaineering, whose chronicles and photographs bade me to these … Continue reading →

Posted in environmental history, Mountaineering, outdoor recreation, Photographic collections, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment