CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Aug. 18, 2026 – Opening Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Capitol Gallery, “A Prescription for History: The Legacy of Jim Gatchell” explores how Buffalo pharmacist Jim Gatchell’s curiosity, civic spirit, and commitment to preserving local history became a lasting legacy. Through artifacts, artwork, and photographs from the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, the exhibition tells the story of northeastern Wyoming while celebrating the enduring impact one individual can have on preserving a community’s history.

An opening reception will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 29, featuring remarks from Governor Mark Gordon, Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum Executive Director Sylvia Bruner, and Wyoming State Museum Capitol Curator Nathan Doerr. Light refreshments will be served.

Following Gatchell’s death, his family donated his collection to the people of Johnson County with the understanding that a museum would be established to preserve it. Since opening in 1957, the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum has continued that mission. In 2023, the museum received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries, in recognition of its exceptional service to the community.

“Jim Gatchell and his family epitomize one of the best and simplest examples of legacy: good people doing good works,” said Sylvia Bruner, executive director of the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum. “Jim didn’t walk into life with any special advantage or resource. He was a western boy, a pharmacist, and a family man. What wasn’t typical about him was his constant desire to learn from other people, cultures, and events.”

Drawing from the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum’s collections, including objects from Jim Gatchell’s original collection, the exhibition brings the history of northeastern Wyoming to new audiences through the Capitol Gallery. In doing so, it reflects the Gallery’s mission of providing museums across Wyoming with a unique opportunity to share their collections with visitors from across the state and beyond. “This exhibition shares the story of one community while celebrating the work taking place in museums across Wyoming,” said Nathan Doerr, capitol curator of the Wyoming State Museum. “Every museum collection tells a uniquely Wyoming story. Whether large or small, those collections preserve pieces of our shared history and help ensure those stories remain accessible for future generations.”

“A Prescription for History: The Legacy of Jim Gatchell” will be on view from Aug. 29, 2026, through March 12, 2027, in the Capitol Gallery in the Wyoming Capitol. The gallery features changing exhibitions developed in partnership with museums and cultural institutions from across the state.

The Wyoming Capitol is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Extended summer Saturday hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. continue through Sept. 26.

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Aug. 17, 2026 – In celebration of Wyoming’s rich cultural heritage, Governor Mark Gordon will proclaim the month of September as Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month (WAAM) on Aug. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the State Capitol. The public is welcome to attend the proclamation event.

The purpose of WAAM is to provide the public with education and resources about the importance of preserving and protecting Wyoming’s archaeological heritage.

Throughout September, events, activities, and lectures will highlight Wyoming’s archaeology and cultural heritage. To find an event near you, check out the WAAM 2026 Events Calendar.

Gwendolyn Kristy, state coordinator for WAAM, says, “We really hope we reach as much of the public as possible throughout Archaeology Month this year. Wyoming’s cultural heritage is so important to our identities as Wyomingites. We hope programs like the free posters and free events provide an opportunity for all to participate.”

The centerpiece of WAAM is an award-winning poster produced annually. This year’s poster, “Hoofbeats as Heartbeats: Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” celebrates the long and complex relationship between people and horses through Wyoming’s archaeological record as part of our nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations.

The artwork featured on the poster was created by well-known and award-winning Wyoming native Robert Martinez of Riverton. The artwork features a Native American Plainswoman with her horse, overlaid on a historical map of Wyoming, with rock art from around the state also featured.

Dr. William Taylor of CU Boulder, a noted expert on horses in the archaeological record, states, “As we celebrate our nation’s 250-year anniversary in the American West, it’s hard to imagine a more powerful and enduring symbol of our culture and history than horses.”

The poster is available free of charge and may be picked up at the State Historic Preservation Office or Wyoming State Museum in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne, or in Laramie at the Anthropology Building, located at 12th and Lewis, Room 312. Those wishing to have a poster mailed may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. An $18 shipping charge will apply.

2026 WAAM Events:

Wyoming Archaeology Fair — Saturday, Sept. 12
The largest celebration of WAAM is the Wyoming Archaeology Fair, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site in Laramie. This event is free and open to the public.

The 2026 Fair features more than 30 booths, many offering hands-on activities such as atlatl throwing, flintknapping, pottery making, historic games, ancient food preparation, and learning how to make rock art. Special features at this year’s fair include Plains Indian Sign Language demonstrations, a performance by the Wind River Dancers at 1 p.m., Fort Laramie living history demonstrations, and live music from the Twaynes throughout the day.

Annual WAAM Lecture — Thursday, Sept. 24  
The Wyoming SHPO and the George C. Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology are also hosting their annual WAAM lecture on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 4:10 p.m. at the University of Wyoming. This year’s guest is Dr. Steven Kuhn of the University of Arizona. Dr. Kuhn’s primary research interests revolve around Paleolithic sites in Serbia, Morocco, China and the Levant. More information will be provided about this event as it approaches.

Semiquincentennial Event and Fundraiser — Friday, Sept. 25  
New this year, as part of the Wyoming SHPO’s Semiquincentennial celebrations, is a unique event being held Friday, Sept. 25, in the Capitol Auditorium in Cheyenne. The event, which will include remarks from Governor Mark Gordon, is a fundraiser for 2027 Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month programming and will feature a silent auction. Martinez’s original framed and signed artwork will be among the items auctioned to the public. Other items, including a hafted projectile point made by flintknapper and archaeologist Damian Kirkwood, will also be auctioned.

The program begins at 5:30 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres and the silent auction, followed by a lecture by Dr. William Taylor. The event will conclude around 7:45 p.m. with the closing of the silent auction. This event is free and open to the public.

We hope you join us in celebrating Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month this September. Learn more at wyoshpo.wyo.gov/index.php/events-training/archaeology-awareness-month. 

Figure 1: The 2026 Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month poster, featuring artwork by Riverton artist Robert Martinez, is freely available to the public. The original framed and signed artwork featured on this poster will be auctioned off on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Wyoming Capitol Auditorium. Figure 2: Learn how to make rock art in a technique known as hand spray, using natural pigments at the 2026 Wyoming Archaeology Fair.

THERMOPOLIS, Wyo. – Aug. 17, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources is pleased to present Pathfinder as part of the 2026 Tunes on the Trail concert series—a second-year initiative that blends live acoustic music with outdoor recreation in Wyoming’s scenic state parks.

The event at Hot Springs State Park will take place on Saturday, Aug. 22. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a hike (optional) followed by a live, 90-minute performance surrounded by nature.

• Hike Start Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Meeting Location for Hike: Pavilion
• Hike Distance and Difficulty: Zoo and Quarry Trails: 2-2.5 miles, easy to moderate terrain
• Performance Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Performance Location: Pavilion

This Tunes on the Trail event features Pathfinder, a group of lifelong musicians in a small town trying to do big things. Bandmates Heath McAteer, John May, Dyllon Boyer, and Jason Murdock share a love of music, songwriting, and the beauty of the outdoors. Songwriters John and Heath display a profound love of the outdoors, evident in their lyrics. Jason and Dyllon’s devotion to music and imagery beautifully colors the background of their musical vision. Songs about the mountains and the human condition depict young men grappling with life's best and worst. 

Chris Delay, superintendent of Hot Springs State Park, stated, “We are excited to host Tunes on the Trails at Hot Springs State Park, where we can bring people together and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors with the energy of live music to create something special for our community.”

Admission to Hot Springs State Park is free, and all Tunes on the Trail events are free to attend.

Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets, explore the park, and take in the full experience. If you plan to hike, be sure to bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, appropriate footwear, and anything you might need. In case of inclement weather, updates will be posted on the park's social media channels at @HotSpringsStatePark.

While registration is not mandatory, it is encouraged to help staff plan effectively. Please RSVP on the event's Eventbrite page at bit.ly/TunesAtHotSprings. 

Attending? Tag your photos with #TunesOnTheTrail #WyoParks and #WyoRec. 

Tunes on the Trail is a summer concert series presented by Wyoming State Parks, the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, and the Wyoming Arts Council, all under the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR). The program celebrates Wyoming’s natural and cultural assets while supporting local musicians through the Wyoming Independent Music Initiative (WIMI).

To stay updated on upcoming events, follow us on our Facebook pages: @WyomingArtsCouncil, @WyoRec, and @WyomingStateParks. You can also learn more about the diverse programs offered by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources at wyospcr.wyo.gov.

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Aug. 14, 2026 – As part of Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month (WAAM), recognized each September, the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site and the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will host the 2026 Wyoming Archaeology Fair. The fair is the largest annual celebration of archaeology in Wyoming and will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie. The event is free and open to the public.

More than 100 volunteer and professional archaeologists, historians, museum professionals, and students help make the event possible each year and provide a meaningful impact on the community.

Longtime volunteer and professional archaeologist Damian Kirkwood states, “Every year I help with the flintknapping booth. We average between 200 and 300 kids. This means we have that many chances to inspire them to care and want to learn about archaeology. Flintknapping is by far one of the most popular activities; who doesn't want to learn how to make an arrowhead? The booth is so popular that I have had kids from the previous year bring back their arrowheads just to finish them. I have even had university students tell me they have declared Anthropology as a major at the University of Wyoming because they came to the fair and learned flintknapping. This is by far one of the most impactful public outreach events for the archaeological community in Wyoming.”

The 2026 fair features more than 30 booths and activity stations, many offering hands-on programming such as atlatl throwing, flintknapping, pottery making, ancient food preparation, mock excavations, rabbit hide painting, living history, Plains Indian Sign Language and more. Educational booths will also cover archaeological topics such as careers in archaeology and canine, bison, and horse osteology.

Special features of this year’s fair include blacksmithing demonstrations by Charles Prior; a traditional dance performance by the Wind River Dancers at 1 p.m.; living history demonstrations from Fort Laramie; and live music from the Twaynes throughout the day.

Learn more about the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office at wyoshpo.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: Traditional dance performance by the Wind River Dancers in 2025. Figure 2: Visitors learn how to use an atlatl to throw a spear at 3D targets with the help of University of Wyoming graduate students. 

Contact: 
Gwendolyn Kristy, Chief, Planning & Historic Contexts
Wyoming Historic Preservation Office
(307) 399-5366; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Aug. 13, 2026 – Personal accounts and oral memories provide indispensable perspective to Wyoming’s history, yet launching an oral history project can feel daunting for institutions with limited resources. To help local organizations navigate the process, the Roving Archivist Program (RAP) will host its monthly Quick Tips session, "Oral Histories with Robin Everett."  

Join us Friday, Aug. 21 at 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. MT via Google Meet atmeet.google.com/bgr-reit-tkr or dial (US) +1 319-449-2718, PIN: 581 688 137#. 

This webinar will provide an overview of how to get an oral history program off the ground and navigate the interviewing process with confidence. Designed for staff and volunteers with little to no prior experience, the session will break down the early steps of project organization and offer practical techniques for interviewing community members 

Attendees will gain an overview of:

• Getting Started: Practical steps for defining your program's focus, identifying key community narrators, and setting up basic workflows.
• Legal Essentials: The crucial role of deed of gift forms and securing proper consent before you start recording.
• Interviewing Techniques: How to prepare effective questions, build rapport, ask open-ended prompts, and comfortably guide the conversation.
• Navigating the Interview: Best practices for handling pauses, managing sensitive topics, and keeping the focus on the speaker's story.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m. MT
• Link: Join via Google Meet at meet.google.com/bgr-reit-tkr
• Phone: (US) +1 319-449-2718 | PIN: 581 688 137#

For more information on this session, please visit rovingarchivist.wyo.gov/connect/quick-tips or contact the Roving Archivist Program at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Supporting Wyoming's Cultural Heritage Mission

The RAP Quick Tips series represents the State Historical Records Advisory Board's (SHRAB)  ongoing commitment to providing accessible professional development for Wyoming's cultural heritage community. These sessions support institutions statewide in improving their preservation practices and collections care.

For more information about the Roving Archivist Program, visit rovingarchivist.wyo.gov/home or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Wyoming SHRAB

The Wyoming SHRAB promotes identification, preservation, and dissemination of the state's historical records by supporting training programs for state, tribal, and local governments, repositories, and organizations involved in records care throughout Wyoming. Grants are made available through Wyoming SHRAB by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and administered by the Wyoming State Archives (WSA), Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.

For more information, please contact Wyoming State Archivist Sara Davis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the WSA at (307) 777-7826. You can also learn more about the Wyoming State Archives at wyoarchives.wyo.gov.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Aug. 10, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council Board will hold its quarterly meeting virtually on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon.

During the meeting, Board members will hear staff reports, discuss current Arts Council initiatives, and plan for upcoming programs and events. An executive session may be called if necessary. The board will review the Creative Aging Project Grant panel recommendations.

Members of the public are invited to attend any portion of the meeting to observe the Board's proceedings. The Board will hear public comment at 11 a.m., providing an opportunity for individuals and organizational representatives to share updates, events, or feedback with the Board. This will be the only opportunity for the public to comment on the grant review process.

The meeting may be accessed virtually on Google Meet at https://meet.google.com/jjc-xgbi-kjb or by calling (413) 369-1280 and entering PIN 944 397 628#. All callers will be muted except during the public comment period.

The mission of the Wyoming Arts Council is to provide leadership and invest resources to champion, sustain, and cultivate community through the arts.

For a meeting agenda or additional information, contact the Wyoming Arts Council at (307) 777-7742.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Aug. 3, 2026 – The Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series invites the public to step into the boots of 19th-century soldiers with its upcoming presentation, "Campaigns in the American West." Featuring archaeologist and cultural resource specialist Nathan May, the event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Wyoming State Museum classroom.

While modern highways make the vast distances of the American West seem trivial today, the reality for a late-1800s foot soldier was one of grueling endurance. From sun-baked desert plains to freezing, rocky mountain passes, troops marched and countermarched through punishing weather, racing against time to meet the enemy in battle.

Using archaeological insights and historical accounts, May will explore the raw, firsthand experiences of these soldiers, the staggering distances they covered on foot, and how the unforgiving Western landscape fundamentally shaped military strategy.

About the Speaker

Nathan May is an Archaeologist and Cultural Resource Specialist with the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office. He holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology, with a focus on Historical Archaeology, from the University of Idaho.

May brings extensive field experience to the presentation, having conducted excavations, comprehensive surveys, and advanced metal-detection mapping across precontact and historic sites in the Intermountain, Great Plains, and Pacific Northwest regions. He holds a specialized research interest in 19th-century American pioneer trails and military battle sites.

Event Details

The event is free and open to the public. Participation is available both in person and online, with a live Q&A session following the presentation.

• When: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
• In-Person Location: Wyoming State Museum classroom, 2301 Central Avenue, Cheyenne.
• Virtual Attendance: Registration is required for virtual access. Please visit: eventbrite.com/o/wyoming-state-archives-49902991693.

About the Wyoming State Archives

The Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series takes place on the second Thursday of each month, highlighting the state's diverse history. The Wyoming State Archives ensures the preservation and accessibility of Wyoming's rich history, offering public programming, research resources, and educational series that bring the state's vibrant past to life.

The Wyoming State Archives is fully accessible in accordance with ADA guidelines. For more information or to request special assistance, please contact Sara Davis, Wyoming State Archivist.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – July 31, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks has reached a tentative agreement with C&W Enterprises, which will conclude the pending litigation regarding the Star Plunge in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The parties have jointly asked the court to cancel the summary judgment hearing scheduled for Monday, Aug. 3, 2026.

The tentative settlement has been reached after State Parks recently concluded an appraisal process as mandated by Section 335 of Enrolled Act 27 of the Sixty-Eighth Legislature of the State of Wyoming, also known as the 2027 Budget Bill.

This settlement will conclude a process that began in 2008 when the long-term concession contract for operating the Star Plunge expired.

"Wyoming State Parks’ mission is to improve communities and enrich lives. This agreement will allow the agency to reopen the Star Plunge with a new long-term concessionaire who intends to make significant investments in the aquatic facilities," said Dave Glenn, director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. "We are excited to partner on the long-term enhancement and modernization of these facilities, to ensure a safe, exceptional, and affordable experience for Wyoming residents and visitors." 

For more information about Wyoming State Parks, please visit WyoParks.Wyo.Gov. 

SOUTH PASS CITY, Wyo. – July 31, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources is pleased to present The Tinderwoods as part of the 2026 Tunes on the Trail concert series—a second-year initiative that blends live acoustic music with outdoor recreation in Wyoming’s scenic state parks.

The event at South Pass City State Historic Site will take place on Saturday, Aug. 15. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a hike (optional) followed by a live, 90-minute performance surrounded by nature. If attendees opt out of the hike, they should meet at the Dance Hall at 5 p.m.

• Hike Start Time: 4:30 p.m.
• Meeting Location for Hike: Dance Hall
• Hike Distance and Difficulty:  2 miles round-trip, moderate to steep terrain. 
• Performance Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
• Performance Location: Mouth of the English Tunnel

*Accessibility options are available. Please contact South Pass City State Historic Site in advance to explore these options: (307) 332-3684. 

This Tunes on the Trail event features The Tinderwoods, an Americana folk band from Lander, Wyoming. Their debut EP, Small Town Long Streets, won 2nd place in the Wyoming Public Radio people’s choice award in 2025. 

Joe Ellis, superintendent of South Pass City State Historic Site, stated, “South Pass City State Historic Site is excited to host Tunes on the Trail. Music was an important part of the history of South Pass City.  Historically, miners and town folk alike enjoyed music daily, and this is a cool opportunity to feel what it may have been like in SPC during the gold rush.” 

General admission at South Pass City State Historic Site is $4 for Wyoming residents, $8 for non-residents, with free admission for kids 17 & under. However, all Tunes on the Trail events are free, and no additional event fees are charged.

Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets, explore the site, and take in the full experience. If you plan to hike, be sure to bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, appropriate footwear, and anything you might need. In case of inclement weather, updates will be posted on the park's social media channels at @SouthPassCityStateHistoricSite.

While registration is not mandatory, it is encouraged to help staff plan effectively. Please RSVP on the event's Eventbrite page at bit.ly/TunesAtSouthPassCity.

Attending? Tag your photos with #TunesOnTheTrail #WyoParks and #WyoRec. 

Tunes on the Trail is a summer concert series presented by Wyoming State Parks, the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, and the Wyoming Arts Council, all under the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR). The program celebrates Wyoming’s natural and cultural assets while supporting local musicians through the Wyoming Independent Music Initiative (WIMI).

To stay updated on upcoming events, follow us on our Facebook pages: @WyomingArtsCouncil, @WyoRec, and @WyomingStateParks. You can also learn more about the diverse programs offered by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources at wyospcr.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: The Tinderwoods, image courtesy of the band. 

Contact: 
Jamie Hansen, Outreach Coordinator

Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation

(307) 460-8794 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.