Tag Archives: Cheyenne

University of Wyoming Commencement Exercises: Looking Back 100 Years to June 8, 1926

Posted on June 8, 2026 by ahcadmin

What were commencement exercises like at the University of Wyoming a century ago? The question might seem rather mundane at first, but when the American Heritage Center recently received a UW diploma from the family of 1926 graduate Carl A. … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, Academia, University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming Alumni, University of Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The American Heritage Center Provides Original Image for the State’s New Rodeo License Plate

Posted on February 2, 2026 by ahcadmin

One of the most iconic rodeo photographs ever taken is now featured on Wyoming’s new rodeo specialty license plate. The scene depicted on the license plate comes from an original image by Burt C. Buffum, whose collection of photographs and … Continue reading →

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

Legacy 101: How Wyoming Remembers Nellie Tayloe Ross

Posted on January 3, 2026 by ahcadmin

On December 20, 1977, The Wyoming Eagle marked Nellie Tayloe Ross’ death with a simple but powerful headline: “Nellie Tayloe Ross Dies at 101.” Beneath it, the paper summarized her lifetime of public service and listed her achievements as first … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography and profiles, Political history, Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From Dust to Pavement: The Good Roads Movement in Wyoming

Posted on October 13, 2025 by lwaggen2

In the late 19th and early 20th century, progressive political movements grew in popularity and in the public consciousness. Causes such as women’s suffrage, the temperance movement, and unionization became forefront political issues, and the impacts of these movements are … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation history, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Following the Manito Trail: New Mexicans of the Cowboy State

Posted on September 15, 2025 by lwaggen2

In honor of the beginning of this year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th – October 15th), today we look at the history of the Manito Trail and the interdisciplinary Following the Manito Trail exhibit that tells its story. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Community Stories, Culture and heritage, exhibits, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hands in Harmony: Archiving the Language of Love and Communication

Posted on December 25, 2023 by ahcadmin

For more than three decades, Hands in Harmony captivated audiences with their unique blend of music, sign language, and dance. This non-profit organization, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, utilized the art of “sign-singing” to communicate with the hearing impaired and spread … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Culture, Community Impact, music, Performance Groups, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Joseph S. Palen: Cheyenne Frontier Days Chronicler

Posted on July 24, 2021 by ahcadmin

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

Emancipation Day at Cheyenne’s Allen Chapel AME Church

Posted on April 12, 2021 by ahcadmin

You’ve probably heard of Juneteenth, but have you ever heard of Emancipation Day? Emancipation Day has been celebrated on different dates in the U.S. since the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. The tradition of Watch … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, community collections, Digital collections, Local history, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Searchlight Club: Elevating Cheyenne’s African American Women

Posted on August 24, 2020 by ahcadmin

August 26 marks the date in 1920 when American women were enfranchised equally with their male counterparts. Nonetheless, African American women continued facing barriers to voting for decades, as well as negative stereotypes, harassment, and unequal access to jobs, housing, … Continue reading →

Posted in African American history, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Western history, Women -- suffrage, Wyoming, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Past Pandemic In Wyoming: The Spanish Flu, 1918-1919

Posted on March 23, 2020 by ahcadmin

Though disease epidemics were common throughout America and the West in earlier times, the worst epidemic in terms of loss of human life came to Wyoming early in the 20th century, in the fall of 1918.  From October of that … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19, Disease outbreaks, Flu, Pandemics, Public health, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming history, World War I, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment