This month we feature a diligent librarian/historian, an enigmatic congressman and a successful businessman.

Three jobs well done

Agnes Wright Spring believed women’s stories were “filled with romance and color” and the story of her life is no different. Undaunted by sexist barriers, Spring served as Wyoming state librarian, director of Wyoming’s Federal Writers’ Project and Colorado state historian. Read more about her dedicated and deliberate life, in Kaylyn Flowers’ article, “Agnes Wright Spring: Equality as a Matter of Course.”

Thirteen Terms in the U.S. House

Frank Mondell’s popularity and political wit propelled him to represent Wyoming on the national stage for 13 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Yet his legislation and political maneuvering concerning irrigation, dry farming and tribal land appropriation left a complex legacy. Read more about his life in politics, in Lucas Fralick's article, “Frank Mondell: A Congressman for his Times.”

Work and adventure in Wyoming

Connecticut-born Edward Gillette came west in 1878, eager for excitement. His expertise as a surveyor led eventually to his leading the party that located the Burlington Railroad route through northeast Wyoming. Though Gillette, Wyo., was named for him, he finally settled in Sheridan to a life of successful business and public service. Read more in Jessica Salzman's article, “Edward Gillette: Surveyor, Statesman, Entrepreneur.”

Calendar Events

Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyo.
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in the Bighorn Basin
Thursday, April 6, 2023, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Joe Skorupski will present on the history, management and future conservation of the Cutthroat Trout in the Bighorn Basin. For more information, click here.

Cody Culture Club, James Bama: Portraits of the West
Thursday, April 13, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Susan Barnett will present on James Bama and his photographs. For more information, click here.

Old Timers of Cody
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Bob Richard, Al Simpson and Pete Simpson present stories and photographs of old timers of the Cody area. For more information, click here.

Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, Buffalo, Wyo.
The Bighorn National Forest Historical Collection
Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Sylvia Bruner, Director of the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum and Craig Cope, retired Bighorn National Forest Wilderness Manager will present on timber sales, recreation, road development, wilderness preservation, grazing management and more. Both programs will be available via Zoom. For more information on the April 11 event, click here. For more information on the April 18 event, click here.

Wyoming State Archives, Cheyenne, Wyo.
Profiles in Courage, Standing Against the Wyoming Wind
Thursday, April 13, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Author Rodger McDaniel will speak about his recent book, featuring his Lester Hunt chapter. For more information, click here.

Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum, Casper, Wyo.
Family Fun Day: Military Engineers
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Military engineers are some of the most creative problem solvers in the world. Come and learn more about their accomplishments. For more information, click here.
Read the Veterans Memorial Museum quarterly newsletter, the Slip Stream.

To receive this newsletter and other news and event notices, contact John Woodward john.woodward@wyo.gov or Daisy Allen daisy.allen@wyo.gov.

Fremont County Museums
Riverton Museum, Riverton, Wyo.
A 70s Time Capsule
Saturday, April 22, 2023, 11:00 a.m.
What was life like in the 70s? Have a glimpse with us as we open up a time capsule from 1977 made by Riverton Junior High school students. For more information, click here.

Fremont County Pioneer Museum, Lander, Wyo.
Sheep Shearing Day
Saturday, April 29, 2023, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Explore the history of the sheep industry in Wind River Country.  Witness actual sheep shearing, pet sheep, make crafts from sheep’s wool, buy products made from sheep’s wool and more. For more information, click here.

Natrona County Historical Society, Casper, Wyo.
Spring Banquet
Thursday, April 27, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Presentation by Rebecca Hunt, author of Casper Mountain Ski History: A Community of Skiers
For more information, call or email Becky Steensland, 307-259-3350, bsteen@bresnan.net.

Wyoming Historical Society
Deadlines for awards nominations:
April 30, 2023, all awards except student awards
June 1, 2023, student awards
For more information, see the 2023 Awards Manual.

Museum at the Bighorns, Sheridan, Wyo.
Poster contest for students K-12, "This Place Matters Most"
Monday, May 1, 2023, 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for entries.
Use your art skills to create a poster on 11” x 17” paper that best represents your favorite historic place. Buildings or landscape features should be at least 50 years old and located within Sheridan County. For more information, click here.

Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, Jackson, Wyo.
The exhibit “Wyoming Women” from the University of Wyoming’s American Heritage Center highlights 30 framed historical photos of Wyoming women in leadership roles in the outdoors and their communities.

For other information the exhibit, click here. Then scroll down.

Carbon County Museum, Rawlins, Wyo.
To watch videos about various historic events in Carbon County, see the museum’s YouTube channel.

Laramie Plains Museum, Laramie, Wyo.
Join us for a tour, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. Each day’s last tour must start before 3:00pm. For more information, click here. Then scroll down.