Tag Archives: American Heritage Center

Rethinking Ranchers and Government: A Fresh Look at an Old Debate

For decades, the conventional wisdom has portrayed Western ranchers as caught in a paradox—an industry built on independence that criticized federal regulation while relying on government programs. It’s become the accepted narrative—and according to Dr. Tim Gresham, it misses the … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural history, Agriculture, American history, American West, Cattle industry, Ranch history, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Franklin Statue: Wyoming’s Bronze Founding Father and a Touch of Controversy

Welcome back to our ongoing series “Designing the University of Wyoming,” which explores the stories behind the campus’s architecture, landmarks, and artistic features that have shaped the university’s identity over the decades. Standing proudly on the lawn south of the … Continue reading

Posted in Campus Heritage, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Territory Girl, Statehood Pioneer: Mary Godat Bellamy’s Wyoming Story

Imagine hearing the actual voice of someone who watched Civil War soldiers march past her childhood home, then lived to see the atomic age. That’s exactly what you can experience with Mary Godat Bellamy’s 1947 recordings—a remarkable audio document from … Continue reading

Posted in Collections Highlights, Oral history, Uncategorized, Women in History, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How a Civil War Farmer’s Letters Changed My View of Independence Day

I’ve been an archivist at the American Heritage Center for almost 25 years, and I thought I knew our collections pretty well. But as I was searching for the perfect topic for this year’s Independence Day blog post, I found … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, American history, Civil War, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

From “Caucasians Only” to Hall of Fame: The Remarkable Journey of Wayman Wing

Did you know the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Science has a Hall of Fame? Among its distinguished members is Wayman Chung Wing (1923-2020), whose journey from facing discrimination to international acclaim exemplifies resilience, innovation, and barrier-breaking … Continue reading

Posted in Asian American history, Biography and profiles, Chinese Americans, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming Alumni, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Murder, Memory, and Victorian Gender: The Florence Maybrick Case

“Deep in the heart of the American Heritage Center lies a small but rich series of archival puzzle pieces that tell the story of Mrs. Florence Maybrick, the American lady found guilty of murdering her husband in 1889 Victorian England.” … Continue reading

Posted in 19th century, Student projects, Uncategorized, women's history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

At the Copa: Antonio Morelli and the Musical Legacy of Mid-Century Las Vegas

You know what they say: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But then, what is the American Heritage Center of Wyoming doing with personally autographed photos from the likes of Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin? … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment history, Music History, Performing Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Felicia Gizycka and Cissy Patterson: The Relationship that Defined a 20th Century Life

Felicia Gizycka was born in 1905 to Count Josef Gizycki and his wife, Countess Eleanor “Cissy” Patterson. Her early years were colored by her father’s kidnapping of her and her mother’s aloofness. Her adult life was one of “international flapper,” … Continue reading

Posted in 1920s America, American history, American Social History, Biography and profiles, Journalism, Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Wyoming Quilt Project: Preserving History Through Quilts

In 1994, a small but dedicated group of Wyoming women came together to start documenting the state’s quilts. The Wyoming Quilt Project was created with a mission of photographing and recording details about Wyoming’s quilts—those that were made in the … Continue reading

Posted in American Heritage Center, Culture and heritage, Oral history, Textile Arts, Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Penning the Punchlines: Carroll Carroll and the Making of Kraft Music Hall

While Kraft Music Hall (KMH) earned its reputation through unforgettable music performances, as explored in “Take it Away, John Scott,” the show’s enduring charm also rested on its clever comedy. Producing a live, weekly variety show featuring music, comedy, and … Continue reading

Posted in 20th Century Broadcasting, Entertainment history, Golden Age of Radio, radio history, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment