Press Releases

11 April 2025

Fifteenth Annual Egg Hunt at the Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alexis Pratt, 307-777-7878; alexis.pratt@wyo.gov

Fifteenth Annual Egg Hunt at the Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 11, 2025 – Wyoming State Parks is excited to invite families to the Fifteenth Annual Egg Hunt at the Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion, a cherished community tradition. The event will occur on Saturday, April 19, at 9 a.m. sharp. This free event is designed for little ones aged 2 to 4, providing a delightful morning filled with excitement and discovery.

This year, more than 1,500 colorful eggs will be hidden throughout the beautiful lawns of the Mansion. Each egg will contain treats and a fun fact related to the Mansion or the rich history of Wyoming. This educational twist adds an engaging element to the hunt, encouraging curiosity about local heritage.

"We are thrilled to host this beloved event once again," said Alexis Pratt, superintendent of the Mansion. "It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, enjoy the beauty of the Mansion grounds, and connect with Wyoming’s history in a fun way."

Mansion staff encourage all guests to arrive early to secure their spot, as the eggs tend to vanish quickly. The festivities will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m., marking the official start of the egg hunt.

Attendees should bring baskets to collect eggs and prepare for the unpredictable spring weather in Wyoming. To ensure a pleasant experience, attendees should dress in layers, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a light jacket.

For more information and/or questions, please contact the Mansion staff at 307-777-7878 or find them on Facebook at @HistoricGovernorsMansion. You can also learn more about upcoming events and programs at Wyoming State Parks by visiting wyoparks.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: Colorful eggs scattered on the lawn of the Wyoming Historic Governors' Mansion during a previous Annual Egg Hunt event. Figure 2: Attendees collecting eggs at a previous Annual Egg Hunt event. Figure 3: Attendees patiently waiting for a previous Annual Egg Hunt to begin.

Contact: Alexis Pratt, 307-777-7878; alexis.pratt@wyo.gov

09 April 2025

Seeking Wyoming Musicians for Tunes on the Trail, a Pilot Program

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jamie Hansen, 307-399-0851; jamie.hansen@wyo.gov

Seeking Wyoming Musicians for Tunes on the Trail, a Pilot Program

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 9, 2025 – The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, the Wyoming Arts Council, and Wyoming State Parks seek four Wyoming-based musicians to perform intimate, unplugged concerts in scenic outdoor settings during the summer of 2025.

In its inaugural year, Tunes on the Trail is a new program created in partnership with the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation (WYOREC), Wyoming Arts Council (WAC), and Wyoming State Parks (WSP). This initiative combines live acoustic music with outdoor adventure, providing audiences a unique experience in Wyoming’s scenic state parks.

Four Wyoming-based artists will be selected to perform their own acoustic concert at one of the designated Wyoming State Parks or State Historic Sites between June and September. Each unplugged performance will showcase a different Wyoming musician and include a hiking or outdoor recreation component before the concert. Each selected artist will perform a 90-minute set and will receive $550 for their performance. This year's participating sites are Keyhole State Park, Curt Gowdy State Park, Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site, and Edness K. Wilkins State Park. In the application, musicians may choose their preferred location. Additionally, a campsite has been reserved at each location for those interested in traveling to perform.

To apply for consideration, please complete the Google interest form at bit.ly/tunes-2025 by May 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Additional information can be found on the Wyoming Arts Council website at wyomingartscouncil.org.

This program is supported and funded by the Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources' Spark Tank and is part of the Wyoming Arts Council’s Wyoming Independent Music Initiative (WIMI), which helps artists perform and tour, building their audiences and reach.

WYOREC, WAC, and WSP are all programs under the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR), whose mission is to provide memorable recreation, cultural, and educational opportunities and experiences to improve communities and enrich lives. Learn more about SPCR by visiting wyospcr.wyo.gov.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Wyoming Art Councils' Creative Arts Specialist Kimberly Mittelstadt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 307-274-6673. For any program inquiries, please contact the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation's Outdoor Recreation Specialist Jamie Hansen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 307-399-0851.

Figure 1: A visitor enjoying summer camping at Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site.

Contact: Jamie Hansen, 307-399-0851; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

09 April 2025

Join Us for the Ninth Annual Wyoming Governor’s Match July 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Frances Schaetz, 307-388-8748; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Join Us for the Ninth Annual Wyoming Governor’s Match July 2025

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 9, 2025 – With the support of Governor Mark Gordon’s Office, the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and Casper Shooters Club are thrilled to host the ninth annual Wyoming Governor’s Match, presented by Vortex Optics. The event will occur from July 18-20, 2025, at the Stuckenhoff Shooters Complex in Casper, Wyoming.

“Since I took office, I have looked forward to attending the Wyoming Governor’s Match every summer, and it’s exciting to see interest in the match remains high,” said Governor Mark Gordon. “The event is a great opportunity to spotlight Wyoming’s commitment to the Second Amendment and to welcome some of the nation’s best shooters to our state.”

After nine years, it has become a tradition for many to experience some of the nation’s greatest competitive shooters interacting with spectators, shooting sports organizations, legislators, and other elected officials of Wyoming.

The Match welcomes public participation and attracts hundreds of competitors and spectators, boosting Wyoming's local and state economies through increased travel and tourism spending.

This year, the USPSA Level II match will feature up to 250 competitors challenged with twelve stages, including a chronograph with a minimum round count of 400. Participation numbers are trending higher than in previous years, with over 200 competitors already signed up.

Registration is currently open on Practiscore. Adult competitor entry fees are $195.00, and junior competitor entry fees are $95.00. Those interested in competing may register online. All attendees and competitors must wear ear and eye protection at the Match.

“The Office of Outdoor Recreation and other match organizers are eager to give visitors and residents of Wyoming another high-level match,” states Frances Schaetz, outreach coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “None of it could be possible without the local and state partners who continue to support this event.”

In addition to the Match, match organizers and local organizations are planning various events throughout the weekend to showcase Wyoming’s outdoor recreation economy, including the third annual Wyoming Firearms & Outdoor Recreation Expo at David Street Station in downtown Casper.

The Expo will take place on Saturday, July 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Attendees can visit vendor booths featuring Wyoming’s top industry leaders, enjoy meals from local food trucks, participate in family-friendly activities, and more.

To learn more about this annual event, visit wyorec.info/wygovernorsmatch.

Figure 1: A competitor at the 2024 annual Wyoming Governor's Match in Casper, Wyoming. Figure 2: Governor Mark Gordon during a shooting opportunity with the National Shooting Sports Foundation at the 2024 Wyoming Governor's Match. Figure 3: A competitor at the 2024 annual Wyoming Governor's Match in Casper, Wyoming.

Contact: Frances Schaetz, 307-388-8748; frances.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

09 April 2025

Wyoming State Museum to Host Free Cybersecurity Awareness Class for Seniors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Melisa McChesney, 307-630-2573; melisa.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wyoming State Museum to Host Free Cybersecurity Awareness Class for Seniors

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — April 9, 2025 — The Wyoming State Museum is pleased to announce a free cybersecurity awareness class specifically designed for older adults. David Horton, CISSP, CISM, a retired Information Security professional passionate about teaching cybersecurity in an accessible and engaging manner, will lead the class.

The class will take place in the Wyoming State Museum classroom on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Participants will learn essential cybersecurity and privacy guidelines, including password management, app safety, multi-factor authentication, social media security, and identifying online scams.

Registration is required and closes on May 2, 2025. Interested individuals can sign up for free by calling Melisa McChesney at 307-630-2573 or filling out the registration form at bit.ly/CybersecurityWSM. We expect the class to fill quickly, so please register as soon as possible.

The class will include a presentation by David Horton, a break, and a 15-minute open discussion and Q&A session.

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Ave., Cheyenne. Learn about upcoming events and programs at the Wyoming State Museum by visiting wyomuseum.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: Cybersecurity Awareness for Seniors Graphic.

Contact: Melisa McChesney, 307-630-2573; melisa.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

08 April 2025

Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series Features Presentation on Red Ochre Mine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sara Davis, 307-777-7826; wyarchive@wyo.gov

Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series Features Presentation on Red Ochre Mine

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 8, 2025 – The upcoming Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series will feature a presentation by Kent Hargraves, who will discuss the history and significance of the Red Ochre Mine, one of the world's largest and oldest ochre mines located in Sundance, Wyoming.

This event will be held on Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at the State Museum Classroom at 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne. For those unable to attend in person, registration to participate in the event online is through Eventbrite at eventbrite.com/o/wyoming-state-archives-49902991693. Virtual and in-person attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and engage with the presenter. This event is free and open to the public.

Hargraves is a native Wyomingite who graduated from Cheyenne's Central High School and attended Western Wyoming Community College. He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) for 35 years. Hargraves started his career with UPRR as an equipment operator and eventually became the director of track maintenance for Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming. He dealt with landslides, floods, snowstorms, and much more.

The Wyoming State Archives (WSA) Speaker Series hosts talks at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Upcoming events include Jessica Friis discussing the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens on May 8 and Superintendent Joe Ellis discussing South Pass on June 12. For a complete list of WSA events, view our events calendar at wyoarchives.wyo.gov/index.php/about-archives/events. A recording of this talk will be available on the WSA YouTube channel the week following the talk.

The WSA collects, manages, and preserves Wyoming state public records with long-term administrative, legal, and historical value. These records document our state's history and Wyoming Government offices' activities. The Archives also collects non-government records that contribute to understanding the state's history.

For more information or special assistance, please contact Wyoming State Archivist Sara Davis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the WSA at 307-777-7826. The Wyoming State Archives is accessible according to the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.

Figure 1: Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series graphic.

Contact: Sara Davis, 307-777-7826; wyarchive@wyo.gov

08 April 2025

Voting Open Now for Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month Poster

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gwendolyn Kristy, 307-766-5366; gwendolyThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Voting Open Now for Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month Poster

LARAMIE, Wyo. — April 8, 2025 — Voting is now open for the annual Society for American Archaeology (SAA) State Archaeology Celebration Poster contest. Wyoming has been participating in this contest since its inception in 1996 and has an astounding track record. The Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has submitted a poster each year for the competition, totaling 28 submissions. Of those submissions, 13 have received first prize, eight have received second prize, and five have received third prize.

You do not need to be a member of the SAA to vote. Please support this program and Wyoming Archaeology by heading to this link to vote online. Alternatively, navigate to SAA.org, Education & Outreach, Poster Contest to vote. Online voting will remain open until Tuesday, April 29. Voting in person will also occur at the SAA conference in Denver, CO, between April 23 and 26.

"The poster program is the centerpiece of Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month each year. Folks love our posters, and they have been seen displayed around the country, in places like Chicago's Field Museum," says State Archaeology Month Coordinator Gwendolyn Kristy. The posters are distributed statewide, nationally, and internationally to nearly 2,000 people and organizations annually. The posters were developed to generate interest and understanding of archaeology for the public.

The 2024 poster, for which voting is now open, is titled "People & Plants" and highlights paleoethnobotany, the archaeological field that examines human-plant relationships. The poster features predominantly perishable items used for plant processing, plants archaeologists know were used for food and medicine, and tools constructed in part of plant material. According to the brochure author and subject matter expert Dr. Richard Adams, details about the lives of prehistoric plant gatherers are much less well known than those of hunters for a variety of reasons, including preservation bias and gender bias. "Processed plant materials in archaeological sites rarely survive the passage of millennia," Dr. Adams says.

The poster is available free of charge and may be picked up at the State Historic Preservation Office, Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne, or in Laramie in the Anthropology building located at 12th and Lewis, Room 312 on the University of Wyoming's campus. The poster and brochure can also be viewed online on the Wyoming SHPO's website.

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 2024 Archaeology poster "People & Plants."

Contact: Gwendolyn Kristy, 307-766-5366; gwendolyThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

07 April 2025

Firearms Friday Brings History to Life at the Wyoming State Museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Evan Green, 307-777-7022; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Firearms Friday Brings History to Life at the Wyoming State Museum

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — April 7, 2025 — “Welcome to Firearms Friday,” booms the voice of Evan Green, a volunteer at the Wyoming State Museum, who has been sharing snippets of Wyoming's history through a weekly YouTube program called Firearms Friday for the past six years.

"Firearms have played a crucial role in Wyoming and the broader United States from colonial times to the present day," Green explains when discussing his video series hosted by the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne.

Unlike many firearms videos that concentrate on the guns themselves, Green's episodes use firearms to highlight significant aspects of Wyoming's history. This includes discussing firearms owned by notable Wyoming figures and those used in infamous events in the Cowboy State.

"The State Museum's collection contains a Colt Single Action Army Revolver that Tom Horn owned, the donor claimed," says Green. "However, research revealed that the gun was shipped three years after Tom Horn's execution in 1903. I discovered that its true owner, Earl Hayner, had been part of a posse that hunted down Earl Durand."

Durand was famously known as the "Tarzan of the Tetons." In 1939, he went on a rampage that thwarted the efforts of Wyoming law enforcement and even the Montana National Guard until he was killed during a bank robbery in Powell, Wyoming.

Green conducts extensive research before each episode, bringing the stories of various firearms to life. His research is supported by serial numbers found on more modern weapons and his extensive knowledge of older firearms, developed through years of building his gun collection and participating in shooting sports.

"Initially, I volunteered to help at the museum's front desk. But when a curator brought by a cart of older guns from the collection, I was able to identify almost all of them on the spot. This led to me being tasked with re-cataloging the Museum's firearm collection, and the YouTube show followed shortly after," said Green.

While some of the weapons featured on Firearms Friday have included pristine "safe queens" that appear to have never been fired, one of Green's favorite rifles in the collection reflects his long-standing relationship with firearms, which began at a young age while hunting and shooting on his family's farm.

"One of my favorite firearms in the Museum's collection is a Winchester Model 1873 saddle ring carbine. While it is scratched and scarred, that carbine was carried and used on a daily basis under harsh conditions – a legitimate, working firearm."

Firearms Friday is a production of the Wyoming State Museum, located at 2301 Central Ave., Cheyenne, where visitors can view some of the firearms showcased in the series in person. You can watch Firearms Friday weekly on the Museum's YouTube channel @wyomingstatemuseum4598.

Learn more about the Wyoming State Museum and other events and programs by visiting their website at wyomuseum.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: Firearms from the Wyoming State Museum's collection. Figure 2: Evan Green, volunteer at the Wyoming State Museum, during a Firearms Friday episode.

Contact: Evan Green, 307-777-7022; evan.green@wyo.gov

02 April 2025

Wyoming State Parks Accepting Pre-applications for Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Louisa Lopez, 307- 777-6491; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wyoming State Parks Accepting Pre-applications for Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant

Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources is now accepting pre-applications for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant. Since its inception, the program has funded more than 970 projects statewide. Last year, $2.9 million was awarded to various cities around the state.

Pre-applications are now due by May 1, 2025. Site inspections will occur in late summer/early fall, prior to the application date. Applicants are asked to participate in the site inspection so that projects can be thoroughly explained.

Applicants must be municipalities, counties, school districts, or recreation districts. The LWCF is a matching grant program based on a fifty percent (50%) reimbursement of the project's total cost. Only costs for the development and/or acquisition of public outdoor recreation lands and facilities are eligible for assistance. LWCF-funded project sites are maintained for public outdoor recreation for perpetuity. The full application deadline is November 30, 2025.

Application materials and guidance are available online at https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/learn/recreation-grants

For additional information, please contact Grants Manager Louisa Lopez at 307- 777-6491 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

31 March 2025

Art in Public Buildings University of Wyoming Student Housing Project Artwork Selection Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ismael Dominguez, 307-275-4476; ismael.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Art in Public Buildings University of Wyoming Student Housing Project Artwork Selection Announced

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – March 31, 2025 – Through the Art in Public Buildings program, the Wyoming Arts Council is pleased to announce the selected artwork “Beauty of the West” to be created by David Eaton, will be installed in the University of Wyoming Student Housing dining area of the North Hall.

The Art in Public Buildings process includes a public Request for Qualification (RFQ) process, followed by the invitation of finalists, and review and selection by a unique project committee. Wyoming artists are given preference throughout the process. Eaton’s sculpture was ultimately selected via committee vote, which included key stakeholders from the University of Wyoming, as well as Laramie residents. Eaton’s piece is inspired by the striking landscape of Wyoming and will be created with cutting-edge technology to fully immerse residents and visitors to the North Hall. Utilizing CNC manufacturing, cut wood pieces reminiscent of lassos create a two-story sculpture showcasing UW’s classic brown and gold color palette.

The Art in Public Buildings program is administered by the Wyoming Arts Council and was established in 1991 to set aside a portion of capital construction funds for the sole use of commissioning public art for the building. Since then, over 200 pieces of art have been placed in and around buildings across Wyoming for the public to enjoy. The Wyoming Arts Council is pleased to welcome David Eaton (Seattle, WA) and his site-specific work for the University of Wyoming to that collection.

To see more of David Eaton’s work, visit his website partwise.art. If you’re interested in more details about this project or the Art in Public Buildings Program at large, contact Programs Specialist Ismael Dominguez at 307-275-4476 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also learn more about the Arts Council at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Figure 1: David Eaton’s digital rendering of “Beauty of the West," courtesy of the artist.