Category Archives: Wyoming history

Tall Tales and Other Oddities – The Fabulous Jackalope of Wyoming

On 307 Day – March 7 – we invite you to consider the jackalope. Many are the visitors to Wyoming who have been taken in by the legend of the jackalope. Mounted specimens of the elusive creature can be found … Continue reading

Posted in Local Folklore, Uncategorized, Western Americana, Wyoming Culture, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Two Pull Better Than One”: The Love Story of Grace and Agnes

In the early days of Wyoming statehood, when Laramie was still finding its footing as a frontier town, two extraordinary women found each other. Grace Raymond Hebard and Agnes Wergeland would go on to become pivotal figures in the University … Continue reading

Posted in LGBTQIA+, Queer history, Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On the Road: How Wyoming’s New Roving Archivist Program is Supporting Local History

Imagine trying to preserve a century-old photograph album in a historic building with challenging climate controls or figuring out how to digitize thousands of irreplaceable documents with limited resources. Across Wyoming, local institutions face daily challenges as they work to … Continue reading

Posted in Archival work, Community Impact, Local history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1926 Revisited: Nellie Tayloe Ross, First Woman Governor, Wins Again?

Picture this: It’s a crisp autumn day in 1926, and Wyoming’s capitol building in Cheyenne is buzzing with excitement. Election results are trickling in, and against all odds, Nellie Tayloe Ross has just secured a second term as governor. The … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Women in History, Women in Politics, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘It’s in My Heart’: A Lakota Chief’s Descendant Bridges Past and Present in Wyoming

I had the opportunity to listen to many interviews conducted for the American Heritage Center’s Wyoming Voices Project. It’s an oral history project, which means it is a collection and study of historical events and information using recordings of interviews … Continue reading

Posted in Interns' projects, Native American history, oral histories, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Wyoming Thanksgiving: Traditions and Memories from the Archives

Warm Thanksgiving wishes from the American Heritage Center to you and your loved ones! We’re excited to share a collection of treasured Thanksgiving memories preserved in our archives. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re spotlighting cherished memories from Wyoming’s past, … Continue reading

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Wyoming Governor Frank Emerson’s KKK Conundrum

In the complex landscape of 1920s American politics, the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan emerged as a significant, if geographically uneven, force. Even in Wyoming, far from the Klan’s southern roots, politicians found themselves navigating tricky waters when it … Continue reading

Posted in 1920s America, Gubernatorial Campaigns, Politics, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Atoms on the Range: Exploring Wyoming’s Nuclear Frontier

In the wake of World War II, Wyoming found itself at the forefront of a new mineral rush – uranium. This development would add another chapter to the state’s boom-and-bust legacy in mineral extraction, joining the ranks of earlier oil … Continue reading

Posted in energy resources, mining history, Natural resources, Nuclear energy, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Independence Day in the Cowboy State: A Look at Wyoming’s Traditions

Happy Independence Day! 248 years of independence, and Wyoming’s been celebrating in style. From fur traders to rodeo riders, here’s how our state has marked America’s birthday. We’re highlighting a few of Wyoming’s Fourth of July traditions and featuring some … Continue reading

Posted in Holidays, Local history, Local Traditions, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment