Blog | WyoHistory.org

A group of four or five people above timberline look down an alpine valley at a lake in the distance

A class struggle over nature

Emotions and facts emerge at 1948 hearings about a proposed dam for Lake Solitude in the Bighorn Mountains

a vividly costumed Native dancer in action

Native American Education Conference

Highlights of Wyoming's 2024 Native American Education Conference included a keynote presentation on buffalo restoration on the Wind River Reservation, a documentary film featuring the coach of Wyoming Indian High School championship basketball teams, a presentation on accuracy in teaching Native history, and much more.

row of houses along a dirt road with vapor rising at the end of the road in the distance

WHS annual meeting set for Sept. 6-8 in Newcastle

Welcome to Weston County. From the Tyrannosaurus of the forested river valleys of the Cretaceous to the spiritual canyon adorned with sacred rock art known as Whoop Up; from stagecoaches laden with treasure to gushing oil wells; our significance to Wyoming’s history cannot be understated.

Remembering the Iron Ride

How did they ride 1,900 miles on iron framed, one-speed bicycles, while carrying 50 pounds of ammunition, 120 pounds of supplies and 10-pound rifles?

Frank Canton, pictured here in his winter coat. Johnson County Library photo

Frank Canton, Western Bad Man and Human Being

This man, this Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde real life character, led a very human life full of love, hate, grief and fear with only short glimpses of true happiness.

Preston Plumb about 1877, when the Kansas Legislature first elected him to the U.S. Senate. He would serve there until his death in 1891. The third time he ran, in 1889, the legislature reelected him unanimously. Library of Congress.

Finding the Forgotten Senator

Some might think that writing a historical book is a boring process of sifting through archives, but in the case of “The Forgotten Senator” this was nothing short of an adventure that led to an unusual format for the book.

Archaeologists now understandthat rock pictures like these petroglyphs at Legend Rock have for a long time been used as sources of spiritual power. Tom Rea photo.

Wyoming’s Bony Back Pocket

From territorial times through early statehood, the area was hard to get to and attracted ne’er do wells like the Wild Bunch.

The Lester Hunt Lesson

This 70th anniversary of Senator Lester Callaway Hunt’s death is an historic opportunity for us to remember the lessons of his life and death and a nation divided.

From Juneteenth to the 4th of July—A Time to Get Inspired and Be Involved!

Civic Season encourages everyone to better understand our past and inspires us to shape our future. Each generation has strived to bring our founding ideals of freedom, equality, justice, and opportunity to life. Now, it is our turn!

France and the Wild West

A large part of Wyoming used to be French territory until the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. You can still see the borders while driving through the Red Desert at the Tri-territory historic site and the influence of the French can still be felt in place names around the state.