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Studying Stan – The Creation of Stan Lee: Beyond the Book

Posted on April 29, 2024 by ahcadmin

Hazel Homer-Wambeam (front), Rhiannon McLean (center), and Liam Leslie (behind) snap a selfie in the American Heritage Center stacks during their summer curation for *Stan Lee: Beyond the Book*. Photo by Hazel Homer-Wambeam, 2023.

In June 2023, a team of three University of Wyoming student interns began researching the papers of Stan Lee, which are housed at the American Heritage Center (AHC). Their interns’ intention was to create an exciting and informative exhibit about the iconic comic book visionary. In addition to attending college full-time, devoting time to extra-curricular activities, and trying to carve out personal time, the three students, Hazel Homer-Wambeam, Liam Leslie, and myself, Rhiannon McLean, are about to see the fruition of our hard work. After almost a year of research and planning, the exhibit, Stan Lee: Beyond the Book, will open on May 1, 2024, at the AHC. This blog summarizes the process that has led up to this moment.

Avengers Assemble

Assembly of the curation team began in the Spring of 2023 when AHC Director Dr. Paul Flesher emailed Hazel to pick her brain about the collection. Hazel had already worked with the Stan Lee Papers for a project she completed for National History Day in 2015. “Back in high school, I participated for seven years in the National History Day (NHD) program. One of my projects was a documentary on Stan Lee, and I utilized the American Heritage Center’s Stan Lee Papers for the bulk of the research,” said Hazel. “As a 13-year-old NHD student, I took advantage of the AHC’s relationship with Stan Lee to set up a ten-minute phone interview with him, which I included in the documentary.” Dr. Flesher did not just want to pick her brain; he wanted her to take on the role as Lead Intern for the Stan Lee exhibit curatorial team. This project, she says, is a “full circle moment” for her.

At that time, I had just lost my bid for President of the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming, an organization I had been a part of for three years. Although I had won my senate race, losing the presidential race meant that I did not have summer employment. To announce my loss to family and friends, I jokingly posted on social media that I was “looking for a summer job”. Hazel, who I had met through ASUW when she was Chief of Staff in 2021, messaged me privately to ask if I knew anything about Stan Lee. A lifelong comic collector, I jumped at the chance to apply. Fortunately, despite Hazel and Dr. Flesher’s shock at my love for DC Comics over Marvel, I was offered a position on the team.

Liam was at an Honors College event seated next to Hazel when he learned of the project. “Given the legacy of Stan Lee, my curiosity was immediately piqued. At that point, the projected responsibilities of the interns were still relatively vague, but I knew that it was an endeavor that I wanted to be a part of,” Liam said of his interest in the project. He applied for the project while on study abroad in Japan, and even interviewed from Tokyo. “My desire to be a part of the project increased during my time there as I came across many Marvel stores and witnessed people from all over the world wearing apparel depicting Stan Lee’s most famous characters.”

In addition to the three student interns, Robert Kelly and Patty Kessler were brought on to supervise the curation process. Robert, currently a staff member in the AHC’s Reference Dept., had previously used Stan Lee’s papers to research the 1960s Batman television series. His familiarity with the collection as well as AHC procedures made him well-suited to guide us. Patty, a retired History and American Studies professor and now an AHC Archives Aide, brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. Her recent curation of a part of the AHC’s The Art of the Railroad exhibit demonstrated her ability to effectively organize and present historical materials. With the team put together, the time came to venture into the hundreds of boxes of material.

Exploring Excelsior

In June 2023, the curation process officially began with all three interns diving into the collection boxes. Initially, we had little idea of what direction we were headed. Dr. Flesher’s vision at that time was to develop a team of researchers that would explore the collection in depth, and through that process, find major points of interest to turn into an exhibit. In the early days of curation, finding material was difficult – not because it was not plentiful and interesting, but because it was all extremely interesting. Every signature, drawing and first draft was jaw dropping, but we were tasked with narrowing that material down into sections.

We chose to approach the material topically rather than linearly. The timeline of Stan Lee’s life is easy and has been done before. Lee’s career spanned from the 1930s to the 2010s, meaning that it would have potentially been a messy viewing experience. In order to get a closer look at Stan Lee as a creative, businessman and individual, we divided our research into categories, with each intern curating a third of the final product.

We developed a system where the interns would take several boxes and note what was in each. If those boxes had material primarily pertaining to another intern’s area of interest, we would let them know and we would change course. In doing that, we were able to narrow things down to eight distinct parts.

I am a political science major, so my interest quickly turned to Stan Lee’s political cartoons and relationships with politicians. I also became fascinated with the donor files, which outlined the AHC’s relationship with Lee through their correspondence. This became the subject of the opening of the exhibit and my first blog post.

Hazel, on the other hand, became interested in the globalization of comic books and the thousands of pages of fan mail that Stan Lee kept. Marvel’s comics were sold all over the world, and fans would write to him to share the impact the comics had on their lives. Lee also received fan mail from celebrities such as Paul McCartney and Gene Simmons, which are featured in the exhibit. Hazel described what she discovered in another AHC blog post.

Liam, an education major and student teacher, excavated the papers for material about Stan Lee’s love of education and literacy. As detailed in Liam’s blog post, Lee toured the country speaking at K-12 schools, colleges, and universities to promote comic books as a tool for literacy. Liam also took on Lee’s business practices. The collection features multiple boxes focused solely on Marvel’s growth and business dealings, including the creation of Marvel Film Productions. In addition, this material included Lee’s activities after he left Marvel, at which time he went on to create POW! Entertainment and Stan Lee Media.

Given the specific nature of our sections and the massive amount of material, some things did not make it into the main exhibit but were too interesting to cut entirely. The exhibit will feature additional information showcased in the section, “Marvelous Misfits,” also curated by the interns. These objects did not fit into the eight distinct segments we picked for the main exhibit but were still fascinating and warranted their own spot. Marvelous Misfits features six objects and stories from the Stan Lee Papers, including Stan Lee’s relationships with artist Jack Kirby and male magazine publisher Hugh Hefner. These will be located inside the AHC’s Loggia, separate from the rest of the exhibit, and we hope that they encourage the public to dive into the archive themselves.

The curation and design stages were the longest phase of the process. In August 2023, to ignite our imaginations, we traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to visit the Bob Dylan Center and the Woodie Guthrie Center. Here we were able to ask questions of and collaborate with the curators of these two institutions about their approach to planning, developing, and implementing an exhibit based on the life of a creative and entertainer. This experience was integral to the final installation of Stan Lee: Beyond the Book, and a great bonding experience for our team.

Rhiannon, Liam and Hazel at the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa learning about the center’s curation methods. Photo by Matthew Troyanek, 2023.

Students Liam (left), Rhiannon (center left), and Hazel (center right) with supervisor Robert Kelly (right) in front of the Woody Guthrie Center’s mural of his famous “This Machine Kills Fascists” guitar. Photo by Matthew Troyanek, 2023.

After the material was chosen, scanned, and organized, the AHC’s photography lab supervisor Theoren Sheppard helped us design the exhibit and begin the mounting process. I personally really enjoyed the curation portion but really struggled with the design and mounting phase of the exhibit. Hazel’s mastery with graphic design and Theoren’s expertise in exhibit creation was integral to this process.

Beyond the Book

So, finally, after almost a year of research and curation, our team is ready to show the world our exhibit. We could not have accomplished this, however, without the assistance of the American Heritage Center Staff, including but not limited to those named in this blog, and the University of Wyoming community. Additionally, we want to thank Kartoon Studios for the material that they are sending to be featured in the loggia during the exhibit’s run.

Stan Lee: Beyond the Book opens May 1, 2024, in the American Heritage Center Loggia and will run through the fall of 2024.

‘Nuff Said

Post contributed by AHC Intern Rhiannon McLean.

Posted in American Heritage Center, behind the scenes, Comic book history, Current events, Entertainment history, exhibits, Uncategorized | Tagged Archival Research, Bob Dylan Center, Comic Books, Curation, Exhibit Design, Fan Mail, Hugh Hefner, Jack Kirby, Kartoon Studios, Marvel Comics, POW! Entertainment, Stan Lee, Stan Lee Media, Student Interns, University of Wyoming, Woody Guthrie Center | Leave a comment

Designing the University of Wyoming: Merica Hall

Posted on April 15, 2024 by ahcadmin

Welcome back to our series exploring the University of Wyoming’s building history. In these posts, we’re digging into the narratives behind UW’s most iconic structures.

When UW opened for classes on September 12, 1887, no campus housing was available. Students secured room and board with local residents.

These young woman at UW circa 1890 had to arrange housing within the community since no on-campus housing existed at that time. Photo File: Colleges and Universities – University of Wyoming – Class Pictures, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

For more than a decade, the trustees attempted to secure funding for campus housing. Finally, in the fall of 1906, plans for a new women’s dormitory began to take shape.

University President Frederick Tisdel met with members of the Wyoming State Federation of Women’s Clubs on October 13 to discuss the Federation’s support for the completion of a dormitory that could accommodate up to 25 students. State funds along with financial support from the Federation allowed the project to move forward.

On June 5, 1907, Cheyenne architect, William Dubois, presented a building proposal to the trustees. Plans were approved in December to construct a slightly smaller dormitory to fit within the budget, with an additional wing to be added later. The building contract was awarded to C.R. Inman, of Cheyenne, on February 8, 1908, to construct a red brick dormitory.

Construction of Women’s Hall, later Merica Hall, in 1908. Note workers on top level in scaffolding. Box 33, Item 50, B. C. Buffum papers, Coll. No. 400055, University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center.

Children play on the UW campus as Women’s Hall nears completion in 1908. Box 84, Samuel H. Knight papers, Coll. No. 400044, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Women’s Hall, as it was originally known, was not completed when students arrived for school on September 22. Temporary housing arrangements were made until the new dormitory opened on October 15. The first dorm’s director was Minna Stoner, who also was appointed as the UW’s first Dean of Women.

Image above is the newly completed Women’s Hall with some of its first occupants. The image below is a close up of this excited group of young students. Box 85, Samuel H. Knight papers, Coll. No. 400044, Box 85, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

The planned additional wing was completed in the fall of 1909. The dorm included a section for the Home Economics Division, including a kitchen and dining hall and large classroom, which also was used for art and sewing classes.

Box 3, Samuel H. Knight papers, Coll. No. 400044, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

The trustees approved the change of the building’s name from Women’s Hall to Merica Hall at its August 7, 1922, meeting. The name was an ode to Charles Merica, UW’s President from 1908 to 1912. Perhaps it was a reward for his past frustrations. Although an ambitious builder, Merica’s plans for other structures were consistently thwarted by the Wyoming Legislature.

Charles Merica at work at his desk while UW President. Box 2, James D. LeCron papers, Coll. No. 1976, University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center.

In 1925, an initiative was launched to transform a large classroom into a formal gathering space. By the fall of 1926, the conversion was complete, and the room was dedicated in tribute to Nellie Tayloe Ross, who had the distinction of being both Wyoming’s governor and the first woman elected as a governor in the U.S. The dedication ceremony took place on May 11, 1927, with Ross, by then the former governor, in attendance. This venue quickly became a popular location for parties and festive events.

‘Parting is such sweet sorrow.’ A young couple on the steps of Merica Hall in 1931. Ludwig & Svenson Studio Photographs, Coll. No. 167, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Near to Merica Hall to the northwest, there was a small pond affectionately known as the “Peanut Pond” by the campus community across generations. It served as the battleground for the annual tug-of-war between freshmen and sophomores, a cherished tradition. According to the Branding Iron student newspaper, it also played host to fly casting contests that continued into the late 1940s. Soon after, the pond was drained, probably due to the mosquito problem it was said to have created.

Tug-of-war at the Peanut Pond in 1927 as part of a University of Wyoming Arbor Day program. Ludwig & Svenson Studio Photographs, Coll. No. 167, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

When additional housing was added, Merica Hall was slowly converted for academic and office purposes. The School of Pharmacy occupied the basement in 1948. As the College of Pharmacy expanded to occupy most of the building, the trustees, on January 14, 1955, approved the name change to Merica Pharmacy Building. After a new Pharmacy Building opened in 1969, Merica Hall began housing numerous academic offices and campus services.

Merica Hall circled in yellow on this aerial photo of the UW campus in the 1970s. And the campus has only grown since then. But Merica Hall retains its charm amidst the more modern structures. Photo File: University of Wyoming – Aerial Views, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Merica Hall, 2022. Photo by Theoren Sheppard, AHC Photography Lab Supervisor.

As we continue our journey through the architectural past of the University of Wyoming, our next stop describes the fascinating story behind Hoyt Hall.

In the meantime, explore the AHC’s virtual exhibition titled “Keeping History Alive: 136 Years of Progress.” This display intertwines historical images of the UW campus with contemporary photographs from 2022, revealing the evolution as well as enduring elements of the campus over time. For additional perspectives on campus development and architecture, explore our exhibit “University of Wyoming: A Brief History of Campus.”

Posted in architectural history, Architecture, Campus Heritage, Historic Buildings, Laramie, Student Life, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged Charles Merica, College of Pharmacy, Merica Hall, Minna Stoner, Nellie Tayloe Ross, On-campus Housing, Peanut Pond, University of Wyoming Campus Evolution, William Dubois, Women's Hall, Wyoming State Federation of Women's Clubs | 1 Comment

Titans of Terror: Godzilla and King Kong as Pop Culture Icons

Posted on April 8, 2024 by ahcadmin

As the film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire opens, we consider the history and legacy of the two most famous giant monsters in film history. Both monsters are represented in posters and stills from the collection of Forrest J. Ackerman, the founding editor of the magazine “Famous Monsters of Filmland.”

Godzilla first appeared in the Japanese film Godzilla, directed and co-written by Ishirō Honda, which was released in Japan in 1956 and in America two years later in a re-edited version featuring Raymond Burr and titled Godzilla, King of the Monsters!

Poster from Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956). Box 115, Forrest J. Ackerman papers, Collection No. 2358, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Stills from Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), Forrest J. Ackerman papers.

Released in Japan less than a decade after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Godzilla has been called “an unflinchingly bleak, deceptively powerful film about coping with and taking responsibility for incomprehensible, manmade tragedy. Specifically, nuclear tragedies.”

As film critic J. Hoberman has noted, the incident that opens the original film and leads to the discovery of the ancient sea creature – the destruction of a Japanese freighter – parallels the contamination from nuclear fallout of the crew of a Japanese fishing boat by an American thermonuclear test at Bikini Atoll. Godzilla has gone on to appear in more than thirty films over the last seventy years, including Godzilla vs. the Thing (1964) (aka “Mothra vs. Godzilla”) and Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (1971) (aka “Godzilla vs. Hedorah”).

Stills from Godzilla v. the Thing (1964), Forrest J. Ackerman papers.

Stills from Godzilla v. the Thing (1964), Forrest J. Ackerman papers.

King Kong, the creation of American filmmaker Merian C. Cooper and British writer Edgar Wallace, first appeared in the 1933 film King Kong, in which the monster famously co-starred with Fay Wray and the Empire State Building. In that film, an American film crew arrives at Skull Island, where Kong lives, and takes him, in chains, to New York City to exhibit him as the “eighth wonder of the world.” The original film is now recognized as an unsettling racial allegory.

Posters from releases of King Kong in 1933 and 1976, Forrest J. Ackerman papers.

As one scholar has argued, “King Kong serves as the sublime object not only of fear and terror but also of the disenfranchised black, exotic other who must be put back into his place so as not to be a threat to the status quo.”¹

Faces of Kong in the 1933 release, Forrest J. Ackerman papers.

Kong as seen in 1976, Forrest J. Ackerman papers.

According to another scholar, when Kong is captured, enslaved, and exhibited, he “bears a striking similarity to the undressed slave on the auction-block showcased for fetishistic, visual dissection.”²

In the film clip below from Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 film Inglourious Basterds, a Nazi (!) describes the parallels between “the Negro in America” and Kong.

King Kong has gone on to appear in multiple sequels, remakes, and reboots, including Son of Kong (1933), a sequel to the original film, King Kong Escapes (1967), and King Kong, a 1976 remake starring Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange, and Charles Grodin. And Godzilla and Kong first appeared together in the 1963 Japanese film King Kong vs. Godzilla which was directed by Ishirō Honda, the director of the first Godzilla film.

Son of Kong
King Kong v. Godzilla
King Kong Escapes

One final note: Perhaps the most unusual item involving one of these giant monsters is not in the Forrest J. Ackerman collection, but in the papers of writer Jerry Sohl. Sohl, who wrote for such television series as The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Outer Limits, and the original Star Trek series, wrote a seventeen-page treatment (never produced) set near the end of World War II and titled “Godzilla vs. Frankenstein”!

First five pages of the “Godzilla v. Frankenstein” story treatment from the Jerry Sohl papers.

Post contributed by AHC Archivist Roger Simon (our resident film expert).

¹Valerie Frazier, “King Kong’s Reign Continues: ‘King Kong’ as a Sign of Shifting Racial Politics,” CLA Journal, vol. 51, no. 2, 2007, pp. 186–205.

² Robin Means Coleman, Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present, (Routledge, 2011), p. 43.

Posted in Film History, Pop Culture, science fiction, Uncategorized | Tagged American Cinema, Atomic Age, Crossover Films, Famous Monsters of Filmland, Forrest J. Ackerman, Giant Monsters, Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Frankenstein, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Ishiro Honda, Japanese Cinema, Jerry Sohl, Kaiju Cinema, King Kong, Merian C. Cooper, Nuclear Allegory, Postcolonial Themes, Sequels and Remakes, Unproduced Scripts | Leave a comment

Gale Cleven and George Niethammer: The Wyoming Connection in “Masters of the Air”

Posted on April 1, 2024 by ahcadmin

If you are interested in the history of the Second World War, or interested in aviation, you may have been watching Masters of the Air, a new television series on Apple TV+.

A companion to Band of Brothers and The Pacific, Masters of the Air focuses on the 100^th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) of the Eighth Air Force during the daylight strategic bombing campaign during WWII. If you are like me, you may have also been surprised to hear Austin Butler’s character, Gale Cleven, introduce himself as being from Casper, Wyoming, during the first episode.

Even more surprising, in a later episode of the show, a second character from Wyoming is also introduced, George Niethammer, played by Josh Dylan. Upon further research, both men were students at the University of Wyoming, and were even college friends before the war. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at these two men and their connection with Wyoming and the University of Wyoming (UW).

Gale Cleven was born on December 27, 1918, in Lemmon, South Dakota. As a child, he and his family moved to Wyoming for his father’s work in the oil fields. Cleven attended Midwest School for high school. After graduation, Cleven began attending UW around 1937, first appearing in the 1940/1941 Wyo yearbook as a junior, studying mathematics.[1] In the summers, Cleven worked as a roughneck in the oil fields around Casper to pay for school.

Gale Cleven in 1940/41 *Wyo* yearbook, pg. 38.

Cleven seems to have been quite active in student life, appearing multiple times in the Branding Iron student newspaper, attending social events such as dances and in the Wyo as an interfraternity council member for Phi Theta Delta. Cleven appears to have had an early interest in military service; he is reported in The Sheridan Press of December 4, 1938, as being a first alternate choice for one of Wyoming’s appointment slots for the service academies.

Gale Cleven (shown to the right) on the Interfraternity Council. 1940/41 *Wyo*, pg. 162.

Cleven enlisted in the Army in 1940 and proceeded to train as a flying cadet.

George Niethammer[2] was born September 12, 1919, in Red Lodge, Montana. He graduated Natrona County High School in 1937 and attended UW afterwards. Like Cleven, Niethammer was active on campus and was also frequently mentioned in the school newspaper. He was elected president of the freshman class in 1937 and was involved in a committee to investigate a subpar whitewashing of W Hill.[3] He ran track and won low hurdles at a meet against Denver in April 1939.[4]

In October of that year, the Branding Iron reports that another student had been elected to class president, as Niethammer was not returning to school that semester. His draft registration card dated October 1940 listed him as living in Casper and being employed at the Casper Packing Company, a meatpacking plant his family owned. He was a member of the Wyoming National Guard before the war, and after activation for wartime service at some point transferred to the Army Air Corps for training as a bomber pilot.

Flying B-17 or B-24 heavy bombers, the crews of the US Army Air Forces flew missions over German-occupied Europe to bomb strategic targets such as submarine bases, industrial factories, railroad yards, etc. with the goal of disrupting the German economy and war machine to hasten the end of the war. While the British RAF flew at night to bomb targets, the USAAF flew during the day, suffering heavy casualties from anti-aircraft artillery and German fighter attacks.

Both Cleven and Niethammer flew combat missions as pilots in their units, Cleven as a B-17 pilot, and Niethammer as a B-24 pilot. Niethammer was mentioned again and quoted in the Branding Iron of May 4, 1944, recounting in a letter home being shot down and having to ditch in the Adriatic Sea and being rescued.

Cleven and his crew were shot down October 8, 1943, and became prisoners of war. Niethammer and his crew were shot down in May 1944, and crash-landed in Germany, also becoming prisoners of war. The two friends were reunited when they were interned together in Stalag Luft III in modern day Poland, a German prisoner of war camp for downed allied airmen.[5] As the Soviet army advanced westward, the Germans force marched prisoners west to be interned in different camps. During one such march, Cleven and Niethammer escaped. During the escape bid, Cleven and Niethammer were separated.

Cleven successfully made it to Allied lines, not knowing what had happened to Niethammer. He was repatriated to England to continue service. After the war, he resumed his studies at UW, graduating in 1946 and returning in 1956 to acquire a master’s degree. He remained in the Air Force throughout the Korean and Vietnam wars, before retiring from the service and holding a range of other jobs, including in aeronautics and as the president of Webber College in Florida. He died November 17, 2006, in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Tragically, Niethammer was shot and killed during his escape attempt. His remains were located in 1949.[6] Niethammer is buried at the Ardennes American Cemetery in Liège, Belgium.[7]

Gale Cleven was a pallbearer at his memorial service in Casper.

Post contributed by Marcus Holscher, Toppan Rare Book Library, American Heritage Center.

[1] The 1940/41 Wyo yearbook was the first produced after a hiatus of several years due the Great Depression.

[2] George Niethammer’s name is spelled varyingly “Niethammer” and “Neithammer” in newspaper publications, the former is used on his draft card and used throughout this post.

[3] Branding Iron, Volume 43, Number 3, October 7, 1937.

[4] Branding Iron, Volume 14, Number 26, April 27, 1939.

[5] The same camp made famous by the British “Great Escape” of May 1944.

[6] The Casper Tribune Herald, October 11, 1949.

[7] George F. Niethammer | American Battle Monuments Commission. (n.d.). https://www.abmc.gov/decedent-search/niethammer%3Dgeorge (accessed March 29, 2024).

Sources Used:

Ancestry.com. U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016 [online database]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Memorial page for Col Gale Winston “Buck” Cleven (27 Dec 1918–17 Nov 2006), Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave Memorial ID 18089976, citing Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA; Maintained by Paula and Dale (contributor 46489742). (accessed March 29, 2024.

American Battle Monuments Commission website.

Miller, Donald. Masters of the Air. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2006.

WYO Yearbook, 1940/41.

Wyoming Digital Newspaper Collection.

Posted in Actors, Adaptations, American history, aviation, Biography and profiles, military history, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, World War II, Wyoming history | Tagged 100th Bomb Group, Bloody Hundredth, Bomber Pilots, Eighth Air Force, Gale Cleven, George Niethammer, Masters of the Air, Prisoners of War, Stalag Luft III, WWII, WWII Heroes | 1 Comment

A Friendship in the Books

Posted on March 25, 2024 by ahcadmin

For dearest Olga—who knows, loves and writes books—from a kindred soul with love and admiration. Ishbel Ross.
Christmas 1964, inscription in An American Family: The Tafts, 1678 to 1964.

For Olga Arnold—dear and understanding friend. Devotedly, Ishbel Ross.
Christmas 1967, inscription in Taste of America: An Illustrated History of the Evolution of Architecture, Furnishings, Fashions, and Customs of the American People.

For dear Olga—I hope you will find this fun reading, if nothing more. Devotedly, Ishbel.
May 1969, inscription in Sons of Adam, Daughters of Eve.

For Olga Arnold—who may or may not like women doctors—but, anyway, Elizabeth was different! Ishbel Ross. October 11, 1949.
inscription in Child of Destiny: The Life Story of the First Woman Doctor.

These inscriptions are just several examples of the notes that author Ishbel Ross addressed to Olga Moore Arnold in books given to Arnold throughout their long friendship. The inscriptions hint at the friendship between the two women and also their relationship and respect for each other as authors as well.

The careers of these two women mirrored each other as both started as newspaper women. Both women knew from a young age that writing was important and something they aspired to spend time on during their career.

Olga Moore Arnold, writing as Olga Moore, published interviews, short stories, and essays featured on women’s pages in newspapers around the country and Ishbel Ross spent over a decade covering crime and trials in The New York Herald Tribune.

Olga Moore’s image as seen in a 1921 University of Wyoming yearbook.

Both women turned from the newspaper to writing books with Ross gaining acclaim for her biographies of women including first ladies Julia Dent, Nellie Taft, and Mary Todd Lincoln, Clara Barton, Rose O’Neal Greenhow, and numerous women journalists. Arnold’s career shifted towards lobbying, but she continued to write pieces related to her work, but also published several books including her autobiography, I’ll Meet You in the Lobby and a novel titled Windswept.

Despite working in the same professional circles, it does not appear that Arnold and Ross met until during World War II. By the 1940s, Ishbel Ross had lived in New York City for many years, having moved to New York City in 1919 from her home in Scotland (with a brief time in Canada). She married journalist Bruce Rae in 1922 and continued working as a reporter until the early 1930s when she quit to raise their daughter.

Olga Moore Arnold’s journey to New York City took longer. She was born near Buffalo, Wyoming, and attended the University of Wyoming where she was the editor of the university’s newspaper, The Branding Iron, and advocated for a new library at the university. For Arnold, the writing and activism went hand in hand, and she later realized that “all roads led to lobbying” and championing various political causes. Olga Moore Arnold was married to UW Law professor Carl Arnold. In addition to Wyoming, they also lived in Washington, D.C. and after his death, Olga lived in D.C., New York City, Wyoming, and Europe and also traveled through the United States.

On St. Patrick’s Day in March 1943, Olga Moore Arnold began a new position in New York City as a features writer for the Office of War Information. As detailed in her autobiography, recently widowed Arnold left her lobbying position to take the OWI position. She spent time writing about each of her new coworkers in the office providing detailed descriptions of each’s personality. She described Ishbel Ross in her autobiography.

We had Ishbel Ross, the pride of the division, blond, dimpled, and Edwardian, with a creamy Scotch complexion and violet eyes. She looked like a lace-edged Valentine and talked like a stiff snort of Scotch. She was a canny realist and a hard worker, her typewriter hummed smoothly all day long, its rhythm broken only at four in the afternoon by Ishbel’s need for a cup of tea.
Moore, I’ll Meet You in the Lobby, 164.

The women did not work together very long, but it appears to be the start of a friendship that continued through the 1970s, likely until the death of Ishbel Ross in 1975.

Ishbel Ross’s author photo from her book, *Child of Destiny: The LIfe Story of The First Woman Doctor*. From the Barrat Family Collection in the Toppan Rare Book Library.

An October 31, 1937, article in the Casper Star-Tribune calls Olga Moore Arnold “one of the most eminent writers Wyoming ever has produced and numbered among the most popular fictionists of the day” but neither Arnold or Ross has biographies or longer studies of their work.

Both women used their work to highlight the importance of women, and copies of their publications are still available. Despite writing biographies (and in many cases the first biography) of several prominent women, contemporary sources only occasionally cite Ishbel Ross. Her seminal 1936 work, Ladies of the Press is still pointed to as a significant work on women journalists.

While the American Heritage Center only has the inscribed books from Ross in Arnold’s book collection, the mentions of Ross in Arnold’s autobiography help fill in the gaps of their friendship, especially in how they met and worked together. Another interesting link regarding Ishbel Ross and the AHC is found in the Grace Robinson book collection (the AHC also holds the papers of Robinson). According to a note from Grace Robinson in a copy of Ishbel Ross’s publication, First Lady of the South, Robinson and Ross were long-time friends and colleagues.

The book collection of Olga Moore Arnold, who passed away in 1981, is part of the Barratt family sub-collection in the Toppan Rare Book Library at the AHC. This collection was donated by the family in 2022.

Over the last year, my staff and I have prioritized collecting, cataloging, and publicizing the works by and collected by women. While we have always collected women’s book collections, there is still a great deal of work to be done talking about the works and lives of lesser-known women authors.

Post contributed by Dr. Mary Beth Brown, Toppan Rare Book Library Curator.

Posted in Authors and literature, Biography and profiles, Book Category, Journalism, Uncategorized, Women in History, Women Writers, women's history | Tagged Book Inscriptions, Ishbel Ross, Ladies of the Press, Newspaper Career, Office of War Information, Olga Moore Arnold, Toppan Rare Book Library, University of Wyoming, women journalists | 3 Comments

Stan Lee and the Comic Book Boom

Posted on March 18, 2024 by ahcadmin

Beginning the late 1960’s, Stan Lee and Marvel Comics started to reach beyond the audience of just the United States and into global popular culture. Marvel’s characters and stories possessed universal themes and relatable qualities that touched readers from all walks of life, the presence of characters from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and religions resonating with international fans.

Lee quickly recognized the desire for an international market and began to engage in extensive distribution efforts, including publishing comic books in multiple languages. These translations allowed non-English speakers to enjoy Marvel stories in their native language which resulted in more accessibility and inclusivity, transcending cultural boundaries.

Marvel Comic Book Stan Lee special, published in France, 2000. Stan Lee Papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Like many booming franchises, Marvel received mountains of fan mail throughout the 20th century, a large amount of which was addressed personally to Stan Lee. Readers of all ages, all genders, and from all corners of the world would write to Lee with their own ideas for new superheroes and fresh stories. Lee encouraged this interaction by personally responding to as many letters as possible, offering both praise and constructive criticism.

The Stan Lee papers at the American Heritage Center contain boxes upon boxes of fan mail sent to Lee between the 1960s and the 2000s, along with many of his personal responses to his fans. While much of this mail is from the United States, many of the letters come from fans living in all corners of the globe, from France, to Norway, to Israel, to Japan, to Germany, to Australia, to Holland.

Fan mail sent to Stan Lee, ca. 1980. Stan Lee Papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Once Stan Lee became a national and international household name, Lee began to receive correspondence from celebrities, politicians, and other comic creators. Some of these letters include mail from Marvel fan and actor David Hasselhoff, letters from politicians such as the Clintons and Al Gore, and invitations to Danny DeVito’s holiday parties.

Other notable names who corresponded with Lee include Jimmy Kimmel, James Stewert, Spike Lee, Lou Ferrigno, Jon Peters, Sidney Poitier, and Hugh Hefner. In 1982, Gene Simmons, the lead singer of the hard rock band KISS, wrote to Stan Lee asking if he could play The Thing in a future Fantastic Four film. Unfortunately for Gene Simmons, since writing this letter, he has not had the opportunity to play any Marvel hero on the big screen let alone The Thing.

“I have been a fan from the beginning, and still am.” – Gene Simmons

Correspondence from musician Gene Simmons to Stan Lee, 1982. Stan Lee Papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Because of the escalating enthusiasm among fans to participate in the Marvel brand, Stan Lee saw a market for the creation of a larger fan community. Through the formation of the Merry Marvel Marching Society (M.M.M.S.), Lee was able to develop a more devoted fan base who would purchase not only comic books but also apparel, figurines, and other merchandise to feel connected to the Marvel fandom. Lee offered fans the opportunity to participate in contests, sharing their artwork and stories through a more controlled outlet than only fan mail.

Over the next forty years, the M.M.M.S. transformed itself into a variety of other Marvel sponsored fan clubs including Marvelmania International, Friends of Ol’ Marvel (FOOM), and Marvel Age. Fan clubs not associated with Marvel found their way into the comic book community as well, one of the most significant being San Diego Comic-Con. Today, comic cons are major events for the comic book, video game, and fandom community, attracting attendees from around the world.

Friends of Ol’ Marvel (FOOM) Magazine cover issue #17, 1977. Stan Lee Papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

The introductions of the internet, social media, and streaming services have all played integral roles in the Marvel comic book boom. Today, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a key driver in the continuation of globalizing the Marvel brand through blockbuster films, introducing a whole new generation of fans to Stan Lee’s stories.

To learn more about Stan Lee and Marvel Comics through highlights from the collection, visit the upcoming American Heritage Center exhibit Stan Lee: Beyond the Book opening May 1, 2024 in the AHC’s Loggia and Gallery. The exhibit runs through November 1, 2024.

Post contributed by AHC Intern Hazel Homer-Wambeam.

Posted in Comic book history, exhibits, Fan Culture, Marvel Comics, Uncategorized | Tagged American Heritage Center, Celebrity Correspondence, Comic Book Boom, Comic Cons, Fan Art and Stories, Fan Mail, Friends of Ol’ Marvel (FOOM), Global Influence, International Comics, Marvel Age, Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Marvelmania International, Merry Marvel Marching Society (M.M.M.S.), Stan Lee | Leave a comment

Remembering Antoine Predock: A Visionary Architect and His Legacy

Posted on March 11, 2024 by ahcadmin

Antoine Predock, the visionary architect behind the University of Wyoming’s Centennial Complex, passed away on March 2, 2024, at the age of 87. The iconic structure, designed to house the American Heritage Center and the Art Museum, was composed of two distinct forms: an ovoid cone clad in black copper and lower, flat-roofed, cubic elements made of earth-toned concrete blocks. When the design was unveiled, it provoked controversy, but Predock’s scheme was eventually approved.

Predock conceived the design as an “archival mountain” situated within the larger geography of the plains, creating an “analogous landscape.” He positioned the building in relationship to distant mountain peaks and emphasized these features through carefully-placed windows. Predock’s award-winning design is evident in every line and curve of the Complex, a space that encourages exploration and contemplation, translating the natural world into concrete and glass.

Antoine Predock, left, discussing the schematics of the Centennial Complex using a scaled, dissected model, 1989. Image from the American Heritage Center Photo Files.

The building’s interior features a striking five-story, top-lit vertical space with a monumental timber structure and a rotunda space with a cosmological feature – a silver dollar embedded in the floor, illuminated by a shaft of sunlight on the Summer Solstice. Historians and critics have described the American Heritage Center as a “primitivist metaphor” and “oneiric,” seamlessly merging with the Wyoming landscape.

Early sketch of a Centennial Complex interior. This is “forest area” (now called the “Loggia”) in the American Heritage Center section of the building. Image from the American Heritage Center Photo Files.

Predock’s relationship with the University of Wyoming faced challenges, including a legal dispute over design aspects of the building. However, these moments, though difficult, do not diminish the brilliance of Predock’s contribution to our university’s landscape.

The Centennial Complex was featured in an issue of *Architecture* magazine in December 1993.

As we reflect on his legacy, we choose to focus on the countless ways in which Antoine Predock enriched our world with his bold and thoughtful designs. His work will continue to inspire students, visitors, and future architects for generations to come.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those touched by his remarkable life and career. Antoine Predock’s architectural vision is a lasting element of the University of Wyoming’s identity, and his work at the Centennial Complex will continue to be valued and remembered.

Antoine Predock, 2005. Image accessed via Wikipedia.

Posted in American Heritage Center, Architecture, Centennial Complex, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming | Tagged American Heritage Center, American Heritage Center building, Antoine Predock, Centennial Complex, In Memoriam | 2 Comments

Truth to Power: US Senator McGee’s Fight Echoed in “Oppenheimer”

Posted on March 4, 2024 by ahcadmin

Senator Gale McGee of Wyoming was an important figure in the groundswell of political change occurring in his time. Notably, as one of the rare Democrats in the state’s predominantly political sphere, he brought his extensive knowledge of history to bear on the policies he helped to shape.

Before becoming a senator, McGee taught American history at the University of Wyoming from 1946 until mid-1957. It was during this period that he decided to transition into politics, successfully campaigning and securing a seat in the United States Senate. His experience as a professor and his interest in history perhaps made him more idealistic than many who seek public office and he became known as an insightful and powerful orator.

After leaving UW for the Senate, he maintained contact with his university colleagues; in fact, fellow history professor T.A. “Al” Larson remained a close friend and was part of McGee’s “kitchen cabinet” throughout his political career. He ran for Senate on a platform of “new ideas” and as a senator he continued to express his willingness to embrace change and seek new solutions many times in his speeches and interviews. His extensive knowledge of history very much informed his political life and he also looked forward to the future with hope and expectation.

Gale McGee at the 1964 NY World’s Fair watching a transmission from his son Robert on the Picture Phone in the Bell System Exhibit. Image ah09800_003587, Gale McGee papers, Coll. No. 9800, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

McGee inspecting a replica of the communications satellite, Telstar 1, which was launched in 1962. Image ah09800_000381, Gale W. McGee Papers, Coll. No. 9800, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

McGee’s perspectives are described in his own voice, in the following audio clips. The audio is sourced from digital recordings made from reel-to-reel tapes from his papers, now housed at the American Heritage Center. These materials were generously donated by his family. The full audio files are available for all to listen to in the AHC Digital Archives.

During a speech given to Marine Corps Command and Staff College (CSC) students in 1965, Senator McGee spoke about what motivated him to seek public office. He discussed the shift in perspective he experienced when he transitioned from his UW professorship to his Senate seat: “In the classroom, I had a lot more solutions to the problems of the world than I have in the Senate…The pressure of the responsibility for doing something about it causes you to take a second look at a lot of your crackpot ideas…If you really could impose that idea, would you still believe in it?” Further discussion of this as well as the freedom he felt as a freshman senator to explore new ideas is heard in this clip.

During a question and answer session after this speech, McGee expressed his belief in the dynamism of ideas. In this clip he stresses that “there’s nothing more powerful than ideas and books; they’re more powerful than bayonets,” as he explains his views on exercising wisdom and restraint in foreign policy.

There are many moments in McGee’s speeches and interviews that demonstrate his integrity, his commitment to his own convictions, and his determination to continue serving the public despite the frequent difficulties of public life. An illustration of this can be heard during his 1965 speech at the CSC. In the following audio clip, he is asked about the “vituperative quality of American political campaigns.” He replies in a humorous and also philosophical manner on how he viewed the negative and even threatening criticism directed at him in the course of his service in the Senate. McGee also expresses his concerns that vicious verbal attacks on political figures had the effect of “understandably frightening good people from even offering themselves as a candidate.”

The entire speech, including Q&A with the CSC students can be found in these clips.

Group portrait of five members of the “Class of 58,” a group of 15 newly elected democratic senators, whose election created the largest swing from one party to the other in the history of the US Senate. Gale McGee is pictured back left. In the front row, left to right are Senators Ed Muskie (ME), Gene McCarthy (MN), Phil Hart (MI), and Ted Moss (UT). Image ah09800_003611, Gale McGee papers, Coll. No. 9800, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

A frequent theme appearing in McGee’s writings and speeches was corruption in government and he often spoke out against cronyism, misdirection, and the withholding of information from the public by elected and appointed officials.

In an interview on the radio program, C&O News Summary, broadcast on June 10, 1959, McGee gives his views on government concealment and corruption. He and host Tristram Coffin discuss the (then recent) confirmation hearings in the Senate regarding the appointment of Lewis Strauss to the post of Secretary of Commerce in President Eisenhower’s Cabinet. These senate confirmation hearings are depicted in scenes from the recent film Oppenheimer and the character of Senator McGee is prominent in them. As newly appointed head of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, the Wyoming senator played a central role in the proceedings and was a large part of the effort to block Strauss’ appointment.

In this clip from the interview, McGee accuses Strauss of behaving dishonestly during his Senate confirmation hearings and describes what he calls the “evasion of the point” in government generally. He believes it was exemplified in Strauss’s behavior during the hearings.

The five Atomic Energy Commissioners at Los Alamos in 1947: (left to right) Robert F. Bacher, David E. Lilienthal, Sumner Pike, William W. Waymack and Lewis L. Strauss. Source: Los Alamos National Laboratory via Wikipedia.

Here McGee notes difficulties the committee faced when trying to pin down Strauss’ position on the extent of the dangers of radioactive fallout from the development of atomic power.

Senator McGee goes on to further condemn Strauss’ vindictive conduct and attitude, which he felt could be a serious impediment to the “free interchange of ideas.” McGee also mentions instances of Strauss engaging in “cronyism” and explains that, at the outset of the hearings, he knew of no reason why Strauss’ appointment should not be confirmed. However, he developed doubts based on Strauss’ own behavior as the hearings progressed.

For those interested in delving deeper into this intriguing chapter of history, McGee’s research notes on the Strauss hearings are available in Boxes 986 and 999 of his papers. Boxes 1000 and 1001 hold transcripts of the hearings and McGee’s statements. These documents provide an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the events and the senator’s perspective.

From left to right Senators Joseph O’Mahoney (D-Wyo), Clinton Anderson (D-N.M.), Wayne Morse (D-Ore) and Gale McGee (D-Wyo) share a celebratory handshake at the Ohio Clock outside the US Senate Chamber after leading the effort to defeat the nomination of Lewis Strauss to be US Secretary of Commerce. Image ah09800_003608, Gale McGee papers, Coll. No. 9800, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

McGee’s contributions as a senator and ambassador were notable. He was “a major player in the development of America’s post–World War II foreign policy and almost every legislative milestone in U.S. history from the 1950s to 1980,” as described by the University of Nebraska Press, publisher of an excellent biography of McGee, The Man in the Arena, by Rodger McDaniel.

In his dedication speech for the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument, McGee reveals some of the passion driving his own accomplishments as he points to the example of Lincoln’s extraordinary leadership. In his speech McGee expounds on one of his favorite themes: Allowing knowledge of the past to be a guide to new ideas and solutions rather than a cement that adheres us to modes of thought that no longer serve. The former professor elsewhere stated that his primary goal in the classroom was to teach students “how to think, not what to think.” Senator Gale McGee, in his life and throughout several careers, followed Lincoln’s advice, which he quotes in this audio clip, “…We must think anew and act anew.”

McGee in 1959, speaking at the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument east of Laramie, Wyoming. Image ah09800_003610, Gale McGee papers, Coll. No. 9800, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

The full speech can be listened to here:

The Gale McGee papers, housed at the American Heritage Center, are a valuable resource for researchers interested in the dynamic period of American history in which McGee played a significant role. As a US Senator from 1959 to 1977, McGee was involved in shaping key policies and legislation during the Cold War era, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War.

The collection, generously donated by McGee’s family, includes his research notes, speech transcripts, correspondence, photographs, and audio recordings that provide a unique perspective on these pivotal events and the political landscape of the time. For scholars and students investigating 20th century American history, particularly the 1960s and 1970s, the McGee papers offer a wealth of primary source materials to explore and analyze.

Post contributed by AHC Digitization Technician Tana Libolt.

Posted in American history, Biography and profiles, Entertainment history, Film History, Hollywood history, Motion picture actors and actresses, Political controversy, Political history, Uncategorized | Tagged Cold War America, Confirmation Hearings, Corruption, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gale McGee, Integrity, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Lewis Strauss, McCarthyism, Oppenheimer, Speeches, U.S. Senate, Wyoming Senators | Leave a comment

Designing the University of Wyoming: Science Hall

Posted on February 26, 2024 by ahcadmin

As the University of Wyoming’s official archive, the American Heritage Center is continuing our series on UW’s building history. We’re here to share the interesting tales behind some of UW’s treasured structures.

UW’s Geology Building is more than just a hub for learning about diverse minerals and geologic formations. It is an elegant piece of architecture, a historic landmark, and a showcase for natural science collections.

Science Hall. As gorgeous today as when it was constructed. Photo courtesy Leslie Waggener.

Construction of the building, then known as “Science Hall,” kicked off in the year 1900 – April 16th, to be precise. A cornerstone-laying ceremony, led by the Masonic Lodge of Wyoming, occurred on June 25th, marking the beginning of a tale that weaves together architecture, challenges, and the evolution of the Geological Museum.

On that June day, a procession marched from Laramie’s Masonic Hall on Second Street to the university. The “Kid band” led the way, followed by prominent Masonic leaders, city officials, and university dignitaries. They gathered around the building’s cornerstone to place a time capsule containing a masonic apron, local Masonic order proceedings, a UW catalog from 1899, Wyoming Experiment Station bulletins, photographs of UW, textbooks, and even a menu card from a society banquet. The cornerstone’s Latin inscription, “Per naturum ad Deum” (Through nature to God), added a touch of mystery and purpose.

Cornerstone of Science Hall, 2024. Photo courtesy Leslie Waggener.

The construction process had its share of drama as well. On Sept. 27, 1900, the Laramie Boomerang reported that a derrick fell on a worker’s foot, swelling it so badly it was difficult to tell if it was broken. A month later, on October 25, the Boomerang detailed another episode where a worker, under the influence of alcohol, engaged in a dispute with the contractor over wages. The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in the worker attacking the contractor and inflicting a severe cut to his face.

Despite these difficulties, by December 1902, Science Hall, standing three stories high, became a reality, showcasing the craftsmanship of R.W. Bradley of Cheyenne. The Collegiate Gothic architecture, with its rectangular plans, pointed arches, and battlements added a timeless elegance.

Construction of Science Hall, 1900. Image ah400044_00155, Box 84, Samuel H. Knight papers, Coll. No. 400044, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Science Hall, 1903. Image ah400044_00156, Box 84, Samuel H. Knight papers, Coll. No. 400044, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

With other University of Wyoming buildings facing a space crisis, the prospect of moving into the splendid new structure appeared promising. However, a significant hurdle emerged – the absence of a heating system during the harsh Wyoming winter. Consequently, the only initial occupants were the sizable fossils formerly housed in the Main Building (now Old Main). The lack of heating even led to the postponement of a planned reception scheduled for Science Hall’s grand opening in early January 1903.¹ Fortunately, warmth eventually embraced the structure, allowing faculty to settle in and classes to begin on January 19, 1903.²

Quantitative Chemical Laboratory, 1904. Two of the students are wearing uniforms of the cadet corps at UW. Image ah400055_000088, Box 11, B. C. Buffum papers, Coll. No. 400055, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Despite its promise, Science Hall remained a beacon of adversity. Positioned at a considerable distance from other campus buildings, the new building forced students, staff, and faculty to navigate through snow, ice, dirt, and mud sans the luxury of sidewalks or walkways. The journey to and from this fine edifice became a testament to perseverance amid the elements.

Campus view looking southeast after completion of Science Hall. Image ah100694, Samuel H. Knight papers, Coll. No. 400044, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Fast forward to 1920, when the growing needs of the Geology Department, together with the rising number of students, called for enlarging the structure. Science Hall was primed for that augmentation, a testament to the foresight of its designers.

In 1954, a final expansion phase saw Science Hall transform into the S.H. Knight Geology Building, solidifying its role as a hub for geological studies. This enhancement not only reshaped the building but also paved the way for a treasure trove of more than 8,000 specimens, including dinosaur skeletons, bird specimens, and minerals.

Section of the building added in 1954. UW file photo.

Before officially launching in 1956, the Geological Museum started as a modest collection under Professor J.D. Conley but flourished under the curatorship of Wilbur Knight and his assistant William Harlow Reed. Wilbur’s son Sam Knight, who later took the reins, added more exhibits. Dr. Samuel Knight’s metal dinosaur, standing at museum’s entrance since 1964, adds a unique touch to the building. The museum is open to the public, offering a fascinating glimpse into Wyoming’s natural history from Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

William Harlow Reed (1848-1915) in the “Bone Room.” After a varied career, including fossil hunting for rival camps in the “Bone Wars,” he was hired by Wilbur Knight in 1894 to help collect fossils for UW. In 1897 Reed became an assistant geologist and curator at UW’s geology museum. However, he continued to sell specimens, leading to friction with Wilbur Knight and his subsequent resignation. In 1903, following Wilbur Knight’s death, Reed was rehired by UW. His lack of a formal training led to several mixed-up specimen mounts at the museum. These were removed by Sam Knight, Wilbur Knight’s son, who replaced Reed after his death in 1915.
Image ah001500, Photo File: Reed, William Harlow, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Dr. Sam Knight (1892-1975) was a UW icon. He was first a student and later a professor. After earning a PhD in Geology at Columbia University in 1916, he came back to UW as an assistant professor. He is seen in his office at Science Hall that year. On his desk is a photograph of a young woman, most likely his new wife, Edwina Hall, whom he met at Columbia and married in 1916. Image ah400044_00060, Samuel H. Knight papers, Coll. No. 400044, Box 86, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Dr. Aven Nelson (1859-1952), another icon, in Science Hall, 1914. By this time, the botanist had co-founded the Rocky Mountain Herbarium. Three years later, in 1917, he assumed the role of acting UW President, and in 1918, he officially became the President, maintaining this position until 1922. Image ah400044_00062, Samuel H. Knight papers, Coll. No. 400044, Box 86, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

As we walk through Science Hall, it’s not just about the building – it’s a living time capsule filled with the University of Wyoming’s history and passion for science.

Want to See More Historic Campus Moments?

Science Hall’s colorful construction story—from cornerstone ceremonies to construction mishaps—captures just one piece of UW’s fascinating building history. If you enjoyed learning about how this 1902 landmark came to life, you’ll love our virtual exhibit “Keeping History Alive: 136 Years of Progress.” We’ve collected historic photos that show campus life from the early days right up to more recent times, giving you a real sense of how the university has grown and changed around these historic buildings. For additional perspectives on campus development and architecture, explore our exhibit “University of Wyoming: A Brief History of Campus.”

¹Laramie Boomerang, January 17, 1903, p. 4.

²Laramie Republican, January 19, 1903, p. 4.

Posted in architectural history, Architecture, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history | Tagged Aven Nelson, Bone Wars, S.H. Knight Geology Building, Samuel H. Knight, Science Hall, University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming Department of Geology & Geophysics, University of Wyoming Geological Museum, University of Wyoming history, Wilbur Knight, William Harlow Reed | 1 Comment

Stan Lee: A Legacy of Learning

Posted on February 19, 2024 by ahcadmin

Children surround Spider-Man. Stan Lee Papers. American Heritage Center Collections, University of Wyoming.

A-listers, cutting-edge CGI, chaos, quips, and post-credit scenes—that is 21^st-century Marvel Entertainment in a nutshell. Churning out one blockbuster production after another, Marvel has established itself as a live-action media mogul persistently setting the pace for family action movies over the past two decades.

My time as an educator prior to joining the curatorial team for the upcoming Stan Lee: Beyond the Book exhibit has made it evident that contemporary youths are ecstatic about what they are seeing on the screen. There was seldom a school day when I was not reminded of the reach of Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and more. I watched as the heroes’ exuberant exploits leapt from the screen and latched themselves onto cherished t-shirts, bursting backpacks, and even to fruit-snack packaging! At elementary schools, secondary schools, and here on campus at the University of Wyoming, the influence and adoration of modern-day Marvel is tangible.

Evidence of Lee’s commitment to education is plentiful throughout his immense 127 cubic-foot collection at the American Heritage Center. And while noticing the connections between the artifacts housed at the AHC and the thrilling scenes coming from Hollywood studios has been absorbing, working with the Stan Lee Collection has resonated more with the educator in me than the consumer.

Associated Press article written by Mary Campell covering Mavel and Stan Lee’s relevance in educational domains. Circa 1972-1982. Stan Lee Papers, Box 6, Folder 10. American Heritage Center Collections, University of Wyoming.

By itself, the comic book form is an apt conduit for learning. Afterall, novels like Great Expectations are lovely, but students often meet a wall of text and are instantly intimidated, sleepy, or dramatically claiming death by boredom (trust me, I am an English teacher). Conversely, comics provide the perfect recipe to trick a developing and hesitant reader into a darn good time. The vibrant colors are alluring, the text is distributed throughout the page, the dialogue accelerates the plot, and the ability to turn page after page provides a significant boost to students’ self-efficacy. Furthermore, the congruity between illustrations, captions, and dialogue balloons offers students a digestible way to understand literary devices. Comics abound with symbolism, metaphor, allusion, flashback, foreshadow, and more. Illustrations make these techniques more interpretable, and the action displayed on the page encourages readers to make context-based inferences.

When comics mixed with Lee’s indelible vocabulary and his alliterative virtuosity, teachers and students alike realized that entertainment and education could be symbiotic after all. Lee was well aware of the potential of comics to inspire learning. In the article above, Lee is quoted, “The vocabulary in our comics is of college level…We figure the young readers will learn the word by its use in the context and if they should go to the dictionary to look it up, that isn’t the worst thing that could happen.”

Integrating academic, colloquial, and expressive language is a great way to improve reading comprehension and speaking skills, especially for remedial readers, students with special learning needs, and English language learners. The Stan Lee Papers feature scores of letters and comments from parents and students alike thanking Lee personally for his impact on their reading and writing skills and subsequently, the quality of their lives.

Personal letter to Stan Lee and Roy Thomas from a fan thanking them for their contributions to his literacy, love of learning, and teaching career. Stan Lee Papers, Box 102, ASF Correspondence 1992. American Heritage Center Collections, University of Wyoming.

Simply writing comics made a difference in the lives of people around the world. Yet, Stan Lee was compelled to do more than that. Educators of all levels wrote Lee requesting whatever volumes he and Marvel might be able to spare. He answered the call generously; for teachers, for researchers, for prisoners—for years.

Letter from Ms. Judith Rabinbach, a teacher at the Teen Learning Center in Amherst, Massachusetts, requesting comic books for high-risk students from Stan Lee. Stan Lee Papers, Box 16, Folder 3. American Heritage Center Collections, University of Wyoming.

Letter from Fran Lyons, Secretary to Stan Lee, confirming Lee’s fulfillment of Ms. Rabinbach’s request. Stan Lee Papers, Box 16, Folder 3. American Heritage Center Collections, University of Wyoming.

What a great and inspiring thing to receive a bundle of comic books from one of the most reputable comic book writers in the history of the genre… but imagine the rush of a visit from the charismatic creator himself. Countless students across various grade levels were granted such a visit. Lee was renowned for lecturing at college campuses, including the University of Wyoming, but he also frequently visited elementary and secondary schools across the country. In collaboration with programs like Los Angeles County’s “Principal for a Day”, Lee would enter classrooms to discuss the importance of literacy and his favorite superpower—knowledge. He often convinced Spider-Man to take the day off from fighting crime to accompany him on these visits as well. Lee is pictured below at the then, University of Wyoming’s Lab School.

Stan Lee photographed at the University of Wyoming’s Lab School, April 1994. American Heritage Center Collections, University of Wyoming.

But we know that all superheroes need help. Stan Lee did too in his effort to promote the importance of education. In coordination with the American Spirit Foundation, Lee chaired the “Entertainers for Education” project, which recruited a diverse array of entertainers to fundraise for the development of educational programming and facilitated celebrity visits to schools to reinforce the importance of being a dedicated learner.

Page 1 of letter from Lee to film director Steven Spielberg encouraging him to join “Entertainers for Education.” September 30, 1991.
Page 2 of letter. Stan Lee Collection, Box 102, ASF Correspondence 1992. American Heritage Center Collections, University of Wyoming.

Lee’s efforts did not go unnoticed. The collection boasts several letters from Presidents Clinton, Bush, Reagan, and Carter expressing their appreciation to Lee for his dedication to supporting students of all ages. In the letter below, President Clinton commends Lee for his leadership during the 1997 America Reads Challenge.

Letter from President Bill Clinton to Stan Lee thanking Lee for his effort to support the America Reads Challenge. November 21, 1997. Stan Lee Papers, Box 1, Folder 14. American Heritage Center Collections, University of Wyoming.

Ultimately, Stan Lee will primarily be remembered for his contribution to the creation of famous superheroes like Spider-Man, The Fantastic 4, Black Panther, and more. However, the Stan Lee Collection offers insights that indicate that there was much more to the icon than initially meets the eye.

To discover more about Stan Lee, be sure to check out the exhibit—Stan Lee: Beyond the Book opening May 1, 2024, at the American Heritage Center. The exhibit runs through November 1, 2024.

‘Nuff said…no, actually, I will leave the last word to Stan:

Letter from Stan Lee to students around the United States advocating for “…the greatest power of all, knowledge!”. October 11, 1994. Stan Lee Papers, Box 102, ASF Correspondence 1994. American Heritage Center Collections, University of Wyoming.

Post contributed by AHC Intern Liam Leslie.

Posted in Biography and profiles, Comic book history, Education, Entertainment history, exhibits, Interns' projects, Literacy, Pop Culture, popular culture, Stan Lee, Superheroes, Uncategorized | Tagged Black Panther, Comics, Fantastic Four, Marvel Comics, Spider-Man, Stan Lee, Stan Lee exhibit | Leave a comment