Wednesday in Wyoming - July 1, 2026

 

Since America is approaching its semiquincentennial, it seemed appropriate to start the month with a picture of Wyoming's Liberty Bell. This is a full-scale replica of the original symbol of the country's independence.

You might have thought, as I did, that it was erected as part of the bicentennial celebration, but that's not the case. It was one of more than fifty Liberty Bells that the Treasury Department commissioned in 1950 to promote the sale of savings bonds. 

Was the drive successful? I don't know. What I do know is that the bell spent more than sixty years on the grounds of the state capitol before it was taken indoors to be restored. It's now in front of the State Museum.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 24, 2026

 

Esther Morris is sometimes credited with drafting the bill that led to Wyoming becoming the first state to grant women the right to vote, but it turns out that the sole author was William Bright.

However, she holds a unique place in history. Esther Morris was the first woman justice of the peace in the United States. How's that for a first? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 17, 2026

 

You may have known that Wyoming was the first state to grant women suffrage, but did you know that it was a woman named Louisa Swain who cast that ballot? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 10, 2026

 

You probably knew that Yellowstone was the first national park, but did you know that Devils Tower (no apostrophe in it, even though a grammar purist like me would insist on one) is the world's first national monument? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 3, 2026

 

Since Wyomingites are proud of the fact that our state was the site of many firsts, I'm going to highlight some of them this month.

I'm sure you recognize this. Yes, it's Old Faithful, the iconic geyser from Yellowstone, the world's first national park. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 27, 2026

 

You probably won't be surprised to learn that in addition to the JC Penney Mother Store, Kemmerer is also the location of Penney's home. 

Inside this modest building you can find everything from a butter churn to a sewing machine and even a copy of one of the first Penney's catalogs. If you're in the area, perhaps visiting Fossil Butte, it's well worth stopping by. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 20, 2026

 

No trip to Kemmerer, Wyoming, would be complete without a visit to the J.C. Penney "mother store." But, as you can see, that's not the only store on the block. I laughed when I saw the name of Penney's next door neighbor.