This month, we feature a cagey congressman, a mecca for the curious and a new lesson plan.

Political Conflict

Shortly after Congress gave him the power to do so, President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 created the nation’s first national monument at Devils Tower. Wyoming’s lone congressman, Frank Mondell, fearing federal overreach and always in favor of developing, not protecting, public land was distinctly unenthusiastic about the move. Read more in Lucas Fralick’s article, “Protecting Public Land: Frank Mondell, Theodore Roosevelt and Devils Tower National Monument.”

Keeping history alive

Attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually, the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center opened in Casper in August 2002. Keeping history and memory alive, the center also serves school groups and offers interpretive exhibits, guest speakers, re-enactors and special events targeting people of all ages and interests. Read more in Reid Miller’s article, “Tracking the Past: The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.”

Wyoming suffrage in a Congressional debate

For students and their teachers, we’ve posted a new digital toolkit—a new lesson plan—about a debate that divided the U.S. House of Representatives when Wyoming sought statehood. Should a state that actually allowed women to vote be allowed into the Union? Wouldn’t that be dangerous? On our Education page, check out our latest lesson plan, “Statehood for Wyoming.”

Latest from the Blog

Florence Blake Had Grit
Florence Blake had grit, and she loved Wyoming. Not even the rigors of a November 1919 drive from Gillette to her prospective claim “through slick gumbo spots” daunted her.

A Cowboy Detective
Son of the Old West: The Odyssey of Charlie Siringo: Cowboy, Detective, Writer of the Wild Frontier, by Nathan Ward.

Upcoming Events around Wyoming

For October calendar events, visit the Wyoming Historical Society’s new website. If you know of upcoming history-related events in Wyoming, send a note to editor@wyohistory.org.

View the Calendar