Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 24, 2016

The capitol building was constructed even before Wyoming became a state, which means that the center part (the first to be built) is over 125 years old.  It's now time for some "clean-up and fix-up" work.  As a result, the capitol will be closed until 2018.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 17, 2016

Wyoming is home to not only the first national park but also the first national monument.  While Hollywood made Devils Tower famous in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," it was a sacred spot to Native Americans well before that and draws thousands of tourists each year.

Some of those who visit the tower come to climb it.  Would you want to ascend those practically vertical sides?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 10, 2016

 Wyomingites are justifiably proud of the many "firsts" that the state can boast.  Among them is Yellowstone, the first national park.

You probably knew that Yellowstone was the first national park in the United States, but did you know that it was the first in the world?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 3, 2016

As part of its year-long celebration of 125 years of statehood, Wyoming is issuing commemorative stickers like this one.  While others feature specific parts of the state, this one gives you the highlights.

Do you recognize all of the places/ events shown?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- November 25, 2015

If you don't live in Wyoming, you may not have been aware of the controversy surrounding the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park and the removal of wolves from the Endangered Species Act. 

This exhibit  from the State Museum's 125 Years of Statehood exhibit gives you an idea of the two sides' opinions of wolves.  If you can't read the smaller sign, it says "Little Red Riding Hood Lied.  Restore the Wolf."

Wednesday in Wyoming -- November 18, 2015

You've heard of shotgun weddings, haven't you?  Even though that wasn't the reason for this particular display, I couldn't help but smile when I saw the outlaw's shotgun next to a wedding dress.  Both are part of the State Museum's 125 years of Statehood exhibit.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- November 11, 2015

Today is Veteran's Day and the perfect time to include this picture from the Wyoming State Museum's 12 Years of Statehood exhibit. 

On October 31, 1916 the University of Wyoming became one of the first colleges in the country to have a Reserve Officers Training Corps program, which they called The Students Army Training Corps.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- November 4, 2015

Did you know that Wyoming celebrated 25 years of statehood this year?  In honor of that milestone, the State Museum created an exhibit with artifacts from each of the decades of statehood.  This 44-star flag, which was presented to the governor by Esther Morris, commemorates both the fact that Wyoming was the forty-fourth state to join the Union and that women played an important role in the territory being approved for statehood.

In case you can't read it, the lettering on the red stripes reads, "To Wyoming, from her women, in honor of the State Constitution, 1890."  

Here's more information about the flag's presentation.