CHEYENNE, Wyo. — May 15, 2026 — The Wyoming Veterans in Focus project, a collaboration between the Wyoming State Archives, the Wyoming Arts Council, and Wyoming State Historic Sites, will culminate in a public exhibition at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site from May 22, 2026, through May 1, 2027.

A free public reception will be held on May 29, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m., inviting community members to experience the exhibit and connect with the stories behind the project. Remarks will be given at 5:30 p.m. for agency officials. Refreshments will be served.

In recognition of their service, all veterans will receive free admission May 22–25, during the exhibit’s opening weekend. Following that period, veterans will receive $1 off regular admission for the duration of the exhibit at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.

The exhibition is the result of a statewide effort to document and preserve the stories of Wyoming’s military veterans. In 2025, through recorded oral history interviews and professional portrait sessions conducted in Buffalo, Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Evanston, Gillette, Rawlins, Sheridan, Thermopolis, and on the Wind River Indian Reservation, veterans were invited to share their experiences in their own words. Select portraits and stories are now featured in Wyoming Veterans in Focus, while all interviews and images will be preserved in the Wyoming State Archives’ collection as part of the state’s permanent historical record.

“Thank you to the veterans who trusted us with their stories, the Wyoming State Archives and Eastern Shoshone Tribe Archives interview teams, our photographers and community partners, and everyone who supported this project,” stated Sara Davis, state archivist with the Wyoming State Archives. “As we commemorate America's 250th anniversary, these oral histories create a permanent record for future generations and mark the beginning of our commitment to preserve Wyoming's history through the voices of Wyoming's people.”

To find a photographer whose vision could match the candid and impactful stories captured in the oral histories, a statewide call for artists was issued. Big Horn Basin photographer and Marine Corps veteran Barrie Lynn Bryant was selected for the project. Bryant’s photography reflects a strong sense of community, and he is well known for conducting workshops and classes across Wyoming. His approach to portrait photography invites participants to be themselves in front of the camera, incorporating documentary elements that provide context and depth. The resulting portraits serve as a visual complement to the oral histories. 

This project honors the voices, service, and experiences of Wyoming’s military community, past and present, while creating a lasting resource that reflects the state’s rich and diverse history.

The Wyoming State Archives, the Wyoming Arts Council, and Wyoming State Parks are part of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, which provides memorable recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities and experiences to improve communities and enrich lives. This project was funded through a Wyoming 250th Task Force Grant.

For additional information, please contact State Archivist Sara Davis of the Wyoming State Archives. Learn more about Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources at wyospcr.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: Wyoming State Archives staff conduct oral history interviews with veterans in Thermopolis, Wyoming, as part of the Veterans in Focus project.

Contact: Jessica Lira, (307) 745-6161; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – May 14, 2026 –  The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Commission will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. via Google Meet. 

Details for the virtual meeting are below:

Video Call link: meet.google.com/ews-bukc-ovb 

Or dial: (US)+1-803-369-7360 PIN: 597 378 108# 

The Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR) Commission's agenda will feature Department updates, division and program reports, Adoption of Chapter 1 Rules and Regulations Amendments, and the Wyoming State Museum's Quarterly Accession and Deaccession Report. The Commission urges community members to attend and contribute to this vital conversation, as public input and discussion are highly encouraged.

The SPCR Commission is a nine-member advisory board established by statute W.S. 36-4-101 through W.S. 36-4-123. Members are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor based on Appointment Districts and must be confirmed by the Senate. The Commission meets quarterly to provide informed guidance and consultation to SPCR staff.

Additionally, the Commission supports the agency's programs and advocates for the public before the Wyoming Legislature while promoting efficient, responsive, timely, and professional service delivery.

For more information regarding the upcoming meeting, please contact Executive Assistant Tatum Soto at (307) 777-7496 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To learn more about the Commission and view past meeting minutes, please visit wyospcr.wyo.gov.

Contact: Tatum Soto, (307) 777-7496; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – May 14, 2026 – Curt Gowdy State Park and the Gowdy Family Foundation are thrilled to announce the season opening of Little House on the Park. Join us on May 29, 2026, for a special weekend as the family and the park dedicate the house to the family legacy and to Curt and Jerre Gowdy. Come celebrate kindness, family, and children with us. 

Little House on the Park, whose mission is to reflect the golden past of western homesteads and celebrate the future of fairytales, teaches, embraces, and inspires kindness in children ages 3 to 12. Through innovative artistic programming, interactive behavioral activities, and specialized arts and crafts, our mission is to help each child experience a magical moment when kindness and love touch their heart, spirit, and soul. 

We are celebrating the opening of the fourth season of Little House on the Park with Cheryl Gowdy, daughter of the famous native and sportscaster Curt Gowdy. Little House will be open at 10 a.m. beginning May 30, 2026, and the special celebration begins at 11:00 a.m. with a plaque dedication to Curt and Jerre Gowdy. The schedule of events from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. includes special kindness programming, sweet treats, an opportunity to purchase a brick for the Kindness Walkway, and a very special Kindness Hour with Ms. Cheryl Gowdy at 1:00 p.m.  Special activities continue through Sunday, June 1, 2026.

“This will be a very special opening that remembers the love, kindness, and contributions of Curt and Jerre Gowdy with a special plaque dedication by their children,” says Cheryl Gowdy. “I am so excited about kindness programming for this year and am looking forward to finishing the Kindness Walkway this season, where people will be able to purchase bricks to remember loved ones, celebrate our children, and promote kindness in the world.”

Little House on the Park at Curt Gowdy State Park is open May 29 to September 6, 2026, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  To stay informed about updates, events, and park conditions, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov/curtgowdy or follow Curt Gowdy State Park on social media.

Figure 1: Little House on the Park at Curt Gowdy State Park. 

Contacts: 

Park Headquarters, (307) 632-7946

Carlo Migliaccio, (307) 745-6161; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LARAMIE, Wyo. – May 13, 2026 – The votes are in. For the fourteenth time since the contest's inception, the 2025 Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month (WAAM) poster placed 1st in the Society for American Archaeology’s (SAA) 2026 State Archaeology Celebration Poster Contest. This national award recognizes outstanding public outreach and excellence in visual communication regarding archaeology and cultural heritage. 

State Archaeology Month Coordinator Gwendolyn Kristy says, “The poster is not only a work of art, but is an invitation for every citizen of Wyoming to become a steward of our shared past, ensuring our state’s unique story remains protected for generations to come.”

In 1996, the first State Archaeology Celebration Poster Contest was held at the annual SAA meeting.  Since the first contest in 1996, Wyoming has placed in the top three of the SAA poster contest 26 times: first place 14 times, second place 8 times, and third place 6 times. The first-prize honor will be awarded at the 2027 SAA conference, to be held in Indianapolis in April 2027. 

The 2025 WAAM poster, “Threads through Time: Bone needles in Wyoming’s Archaeological Record,” features a bone needle fragment found at a site in Wyoming known as the La Prele Mammoth Site and is over 13,000 years old. You can see this poster and all other posters on the WY SHPO’s website. The poster and many other archaeology month posters are available free of charge and may be picked up at the State Historic Preservation Office, Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne, or at the Anthropology Building in Laramie, located at 12th and Lewis, Room 312. If you wish to have a poster mailed to you, the WY SHPO charges $18 to cover shipping costs, and orders can be made on our Square website linked here. 

2026 WAAM posters were unveiled at the Wyoming Archaeology Society (WAS) meeting in Casper on April 25.  These posters feature original artwork by Wyoming artist Robert Martinez and celebrate the long and complex relationship between people and horses, as reflected in Wyoming’s archaeological record, as part of our Nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations.  

For more information about the Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month program, contact Gwendolyn Kristy, chief of SHPO's Planning & Historic Contexts Development Program, at (307) 766-5366; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also learn more about the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office at wyoshpo.wyo.gov.

Figure 1. The first-prize poster: Threads through Time. Figure 2. The 2026 Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month poster, recently unveiled to the public, features artwork by Wyoming artist Robert Martinez. 

Contact: Gwendolyn Kristy, (307) 399-5366; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – May 12, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council, in partnership with Wyoming Humanities, has announced the 2026 Wyoming Road Trip Playlist, featuring music and podcasts from Wyoming-based creatives.

As summer travel begins, the playlist offers a curated soundtrack for exploring Wyoming’s scenic byways, public lands, and cultural destinations. From road trips across open plains to visits at parks, museums, and historic sites, the playlist highlights the voices and stories of Wyoming artists.

The Wyoming Road Trip Playlist is an annual release hosted on Spotify and promoted across tourism destinations throughout the state, including Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites, as well as visitor centers, museums, and festivals.

“Sound has a unique way of bringing a journey to life,” said Kimberly Mittelstadt, creative arts specialist with the Wyoming Arts Council. “This playlist isn’t just something to listen to, it’s an invitation to experience Wyoming’s landscapes, stories, and spirit in every mile.”

The playlist is available on Spotify by searching “2026 Wyoming Road Trip Playlist” or by visiting https://bit.ly/2026WRTP.

Songs featured on the 2026 playlist include:

Jiwon Han | Trois Mouvements de Petrouchka: I. Danse Russe

Phryne | Tiger Orange

Ty Warner | This is Not Goodbye (feat. Olivia Frances)

Jordan Smith | Dark Horses

The Boom & The Bust | Ryegrass Riders

Buffalo Bill Bozell | My Sweet Wyoming Home

Puddle Jumping | Ancient Truth Inside The Bible  

Livvy Wilson | Stupid Or Psycho

Kalyn Beasley | Hell On Women & Horses

DAVE MUNSICK: Songteller | Trophy Buckle

De Gringos y Gremmies | Shovelhead's Revenge

Peter Blomberg | Capture the Sun

Judd Grossman | She Likes Being A Girl

Ben Musser | The Way

Jamie Hansen | 1 2 Many

J Shogren NOISEfolk (Shanghai'd) | Because Promises (NOISEfolk)

Bob Lefevre & The Already Gone | Bitter Days

Box of Rocks | Kitchen Blues

Box Elder | Post College Days

Podcast selections include:

Helen Wilson | Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor 

Megan Feighery | HumaNature Podcast

Willow Belden | Out There

Melodie Edwards | The Modern West 

The Wyoming Road Trip Playlist is a component of the Wyoming Independent Music Initiative (WIMI), which supports artist development and promotes a thriving independent music scene across the state. Music selections for the 2026 playlist were curated by Margot Chobanian, program director at Colorado Sounds, with podcast selections by Hannah Rentsch, development associate at Humanities Nebraska.

Wyoming Humanities is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of Wyoming residents. Since 1970, the organization has supported programs and initiatives that strengthen cultural understanding and preserve the state’s shared heritage.

For more information, contact Kimberly Mittelstadt, creative arts specialist with the Wyoming Arts Council, at (307) 274-6673 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figure 1: Michelle Humber and Nate Curry, Wyoming musicians featured on the 2026 Wyoming Road Trip Playlist, perform and write Americana-inspired music rooted in their lives in Wyoming.

Contact: Kimberly Mittelstadt, (307) 274-6673; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – May 11, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations and individual teaching artists for the Creative Aging Project Grant.

The Creative Aging Project Grant supports the development and delivery of arts programs for older adults, ages 55 and older, in Wyoming communities. These programs promote social connection, lifelong learning, and creative expression through sequential, skills-based arts instruction.

Applicants may request funding to develop and implement one to four separate eight-week Creative Aging programs. Grants are awarded in increments of $2,500 for each eight-week program, with total funding ranging from $2,500 for one program up to $10,000 for four programs. The application deadline is June 22, 2026, and funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2027.

The Creative Aging Project Grant is part of the Wyoming Arts Council’s ongoing efforts to expand meaningful arts opportunities for older adults across the state. Funding supports both artists and organizations in creating arts education and community engagement programs for Wyoming’s aging population.

“The Wyoming Arts Council is committed to providing meaningful arts education opportunities for older adults through the Creative Aging Project Grant,” said Josh Chrysler of the Wyoming Arts Council. “We encourage anyone interested to reach out with questions about the program or application process.”

Additional eligibility requirements and application materials are available at wyomingartscouncil.org.

For more information, contact Josh Chrysler, folklorist and health and wellness specialist with the Wyoming Arts Council, at (307) 256-2010 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Figure 1: Creative Aging class in printmaking, taught by Desiree Brothe, at Cheyenne Creativity Center in Cheyenne.

Contact: Josh Chrysler, (307) 256-2010; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THERMOPOLIS, Wyo. – May 7, 2026 – Construction on the boardwalk at Hot Springs State Park is scheduled to begin the week of May 11, with work expected to continue through late August.

The project will involve a full replacement of the existing boardwalk, which is approximately 25 years old. Over time, the structure has begun to deteriorate, reducing water flow across the park’s iconic mineral terraces.

For the safety of visitors and to allow for efficient construction, the boardwalk will be closed to the public for the duration of the project. Visitors are encouraged to follow all posted signage and respect closure areas while work is underway.

“This project is an important investment in preserving both visitor access and the natural features that make Hot Springs State Park unique,” said Chris Delay, superintendent of Hot Springs State Park. “We appreciate the public’s patience as we complete these necessary improvements.”

Hot Springs State Park remains open during construction, and visitors are encouraged to continue enjoying the park’s many amenities. Nestled along the Big Horn River, the park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities, including viewing the resident bison herd, relaxing in the State Bath House’s mineral waters, picnicking in designated areas, and accessing the river for fishing and other water activities.

The park features more than 6 miles of trails, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding landscape. Seasonal programs and interpretive offerings are also available throughout the year.

The park’s mineral hot springs produce more than 3 million gallons of water daily, maintaining a constant temperature of 128 degrees Fahrenheit. The free State Bath House offers therapeutic soaking at a comfortable 104 degrees and is open year-round. Starting May 15, the Bath House hours will be Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sundays from noon - 7 p.m. 

Hot Springs State Park remains a vibrant destination for both relaxation and outdoor recreation, and Wyoming State Parks encourages visitors to explore all areas that remain accessible during construction.

For more information, please visit the Wyoming State Parks website at wyoparks.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: Views of the Big Horn River and Mineral Terraces at Hot Springs State Park. 

Contact: Chris Delay, (307) 864-2176; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – May 5, 2026 – The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund board will meet May 17-19, 2026, in Pinedale. This board meeting will focus on the review and award of April 1, 2026, grant applications. This public meeting will be held in person at the Hampton Inn, Meeting Room, 55 Bloomfield Avenue, on May 17, and at Sublette BOCES, 655 N. Tyler, on May 18 and 19.  A Google Meet option is also available for all meeting days.

The meeting on Sunday, May 17, will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude by 5 p.m. The meeting on Monday, May 18, will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by approximately 5 p.m.  The meeting on Tuesday, May 19, will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by approximately 3 p.m. An executive session may be held if necessary.

To participate via the Google Meet option:

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Google Meet ID

Meeting code

meet.google.com/imw-cnqr-uwn

Phone Number

(‪US)

‪+1 570-554-0272

PIN: ‪578 471 726# 

Monday, May 18, 2026

Google Meet ID

Meeting code

meet.google.com/hue-rzau-msc

Phone Number

(‪US)

‪+1 515-446-9195

PIN: ‪583 675 323#

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Google Meet ID

Meeting code

meet.google.com/erv-aqhr-csk

Phone Number

(‪US)

‪+1 484-531-4459

PIN: ‪566 298 954#

The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund board meetings are open to the public. Grant applicants are encouraged to attend any grant review meeting, but cannot participate in the proceedings unless addressed by the board. The WCTF program coordinator and board cannot confirm exactly when a grant application will be reviewed, but the board may review an application "out of order" if an applicant is present at the meeting for a limited time.

The board meeting agenda is available on the WCTF website, wyoculturaltrust.com. Please feel free to contact the WCTF Program Coordinator, Renée Bovée, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (307) 777-6312 with any questions.

Contact: Renée Bovée, (307) 777-6312; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MOORCROFT, Wyo. – May 4, 2026 - The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources will host a third public forum to update the public and gather feedback on a proposed visitor center at Keyhole State Park.

The proposed Visitor Center aims to enhance recreation and education opportunities at Keyhole State Park by providing improved visitor services, interpretive exhibits, and a community gathering space for local small groups, and to be a launch point for recreation at Keyhole State Park.  

This forum follows up on an April meeting at the Pine Haven Community Center that presented a revised concept for the Visitor Center proposal, building on feedback received in January 2026. The event will again invite conversation to guide next steps in the project development process and give park users and residents an opportunity to learn more about how the new facility will support visitor experiences and natural resource education at Keyhole.

The public meeting will be held:

Date: May. 12, 2026

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: Moorcroft Branch Public Library, 105 E. Converse Street, Moorcroft, WY 82721

“We are looking forward to continued conversations surrounding how a visitor center can better serve the local community and Keyhole State Park users,” said Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager for the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. “We appreciate the dialogue fostered throughout this process and welcome continued engagement from our visitors and partners, including the Bureau of Reclamation, as we craft plans for enriching experiences at the park.”

Those unable to attend in person can review the presentation materials and submit feedback via an online public comment form at wyoparks.wyo.gov/keyhole under the Proposed Visitor Center tab.

For more information, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov/keyhole or contact Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Misty Moore, district manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Contacts: 

Carly-Ann Carruthers, (307) 777-6968; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Misty Moore, (307) 620-0331; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.