Category Archives: Wyoming history

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

It’s December in Wyoming, so there is undoubtedly snow in the forecast. For some, flurries of white mean fun and games, while for others snow poses challenges, or is downright deadly. The American Heritage Center’s Digital Collections has more than … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, National Guard

December 13th commemorates the birthday of the National Guard. On that date in 1637, the Massachusetts General Court established an official militia for the first time in the American Colonies. The resolution stated that all able-bodied men from age 16 … Continue reading

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Songs of the Arapaho

November is Native American Heritage Month. The American Heritage Center pays tribute to the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Native people. The Northern Arapaho have a rich musical culture, from dramatic religious songs to haunting war songs … Continue reading

Posted in American Indian history, Arapaho, Northern Arapaho, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

National Taco Day – Celebrating Taco John’s “West-Mex” Cuisine

As lovers of Mexican food celebrate National Taco Day on October 4th, it seems an appropriate time to delve into the papers of Taco John’s International. The American Heritage Center has collaborated with Taco John’s to preserve their corporate history … Continue reading

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Laramie’s Latin American Club

September 15 through October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Wyoming has a historically significant Hispanic and Manito population, some of whom came and went for work while others made Wyoming their home. Spanish-speaking people from northern New Mexico, called … Continue reading

Posted in Immigration, Laramie, Local history, Manitos, Mexican-American history, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

University of Wyoming’s Afghanistan Mission, 1953 to 1973

The current troubling events in Afghanistan brings to mind the bond that the University of Wyoming once enjoyed with that country. Under George “Duke” Humphrey – UW’s president from 1945 to 1964 – the university began developing international programs to … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Agricultural history, Agriculture, Political history, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The End of the Line for George Parrott

George Francis Warden, aka “George Parrott” and “Big Nose George,” was an outlaw in Wyoming and Montana in the late 1800s. Although he wasn’t a very successful bandit, he became famous in Wild West history due to how his outlaw … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, Crime, outlaws, Outlaws--West (U.S.), Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming 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

Heart Mountain through Pencil and Paper

It was 1942; Japan had just bombed Pearl Harbor, and the American people were worried about Japanese spies on American soil. Amid the tension of WWII following the bombing, the U.S. government believed that the best course of action to … Continue reading

Posted in American history, Asian American history, Heart Mountain, Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Japanese internment, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, World War II, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Joseph S. Palen: Cheyenne Frontier Days Chronicler

If you’re interested in the history of Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD), a great place to start is the J. S. Palen papers at the American Heritage Center. Born in 1912 in Salina, Kansas, Palen became fascinated with cowboy culture at … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural history, Current events, popular culture, Ranch history, Rodeo history, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments