www.uwyo.edu/ahc

Native Americans as Ecologists Topic of 2001 Symposium

nvironmental practices of Native Ameri- Ecans will be the focus for the American Heri- tage Center’s tenth annual history symposium titled Re-figuring the Ecological Indian. The Septem- ber 19-21 symposium will bring together diverse presentations and presenters and offer broad and informative discussions on Indian ecological prac- tices. Topics range from the archaeological record to contemporary issues, such as commercial fish- ing and the controversy over storage of nuclear waste in Indian country, from depictions of Indi- ans as environmentalists to discussions of tradi- tional ecological knowledge and its contemporary applications. The title of the symposium is drawn from Brown University anthropologist Shepard Krech, III’s book, The Ecological Indian: Myth and History, that studies the ecological practices of several American Indian societies. Professor Krech’s Navajo girl holding ears research was supported by the National Endow- of corn, 1939, ment for the Humanities and has received con- from A siderable attention, both for its analysis of the Pictorial lifeways of historical Indians, and for its discus- Review of sion of the broader implications, for Indians and the Navajo Experiment non-Indians, of depicting native peoples as Station, “environmentalists.” Some of the presenters will Mexican give direct responses to Krech’s work. Krech will Springs, be the keynote speaker at a luncheon on Friday, New Mexico, September 21. Department of A panel discussion on why Chief Washakie Agriculture was recently chosen by the citizens of Collection, to represent the state in Statuary Hall in the American nation’s Capitol and what Washakie symbolizes Heritage Center. Continued on page 7 2

From the Director

n February, the AHC served as the host site service and to the collection of significant histori- Ifor the annual Legisla- cal materials. To honor that commitment, we have tors Day. State of Wyoming legislators and their created an Endowment for Acquisition and families learned how faculty research strengthens Access. This $2 million endowment will provide the state’s economy and were briefed on UW’s the long-term support needed to make our his- capital campaign. They also received a special torical treasurers accessible to researchers on the tour of the Toppan Rare Books Library—an Web and in our reading room. It will also help exceptional example of how private endowment maintain the Center’s reputation as one of the funds have changed the lives of the students and nation’s leading institutions for the study of the faculty at UW. American West. They learned that the Toppan endowment In March the appropri- fund is invested to produce a dependable stream ated $30 million for an Endowment Challenge Pro- of income that provides for the long-term support gram. The program is designed to stimulate of the rare books program. Home to UW’s rare private gifts for endowment and will “match” gifts books collection, the Frederick and Clara Toppan of $50,000 or more. As a result of this program Library at the American Heritage Center is the gifts made to support the AHC Endowment for result of the generous gifts from UW alumna Clara Acquisition and Access are eligible to be matched Toppan. This special library provides an environ- by state funds—effectively doubling the gift. mentally correct and secure setting for research- We are fortunate to have the state of Wyoming ers to use books that are too valuable to circulate. working with us as we build our endowment. I These rare books enrich the lives and learning look forward to working with you, our friends, experiences of UW students, Wyoming residents, donors, and researchers. Together, we can build and scholars from around the country and are an endowment that will make the materials in one accessible because of a generous donor’s vision. of our nation’s premier university manuscript We know that private gifts create distinction repositories more accessible to researchers both in our work and programs. As we enter the 21st on the Web and in our reading room. ❚ century, we have intensified our commitment to — Rick Ewig, Interim Director

UW Lab School Students Visit AHC

ourth grade students from the UW Labora- F tory School visited the AHC in February. The students, who were studying the American Colo- nial and Revolutionary eras, toured the AHC and examined an exhibit of primary documents from the colonial era. Several students wore period cos- tumes they had created for their class. In the Toppan Library students learned the history of a horn book and examined copies of McGuffey’s Reader. The students were most interested in a book of letters transcribed by a member of George Washington’s staff and a land deed and letter dat- ing back to the 1600s. ❚ Reference Manager Carol Bowers shares AHC documents from the Colonial era with UW Lab School students. 3

The AHC Celebrates Women’s History Month with Archives and Old Lace

rchives and Old Lace, a two-day celebration photographs and original clothing from Buehler’s Aof Women’s History month, featured collection. AHC Processing Manager D. C. presentations, dramatic readings, music, special Thompson spoke on the trials and tribulations of exhibits, a spinning demonstration, and a Victo- Wyomingite Amalia Post and women’s rights in rian tea. Clarine Dunder, Artist in Residence for the 1870s. Both presentations were based on the Albany County schools, demonstrated spin- research in AHC collections. The presentations ning. Judy Knight and Wendy Ware of the Wyo- were followed by a reading of western women’s ming Quilt Project gave a historic overview of poetry by Melanie Francis, student archivist, quilts and quilt documentation illustrated by and Dr. Kristine Utterback of the history depart- slides and quilts from AHC collections. Profes- ment. D. C. Thompson provided musical sor Sonya Meyer of the department of family and accompaniment for the readings. The two-day consumer sciences gave a presentation on the his- celebration concluded with a concert by the UW tory of lingerie with examples from the music department featuring music by women department’s historic clothing collection. A composers. Victorian Tea followed the presentations with A photographic exhibit, Wyoming Women refreshments made from recipes from the Toppan Writers, prepared by Photo Archivist Leslie Shores Rare Books Library. A highlight of the tea was the was on exhibit in the Loggia. Vintage cookbooks appearance of the “Ladies of the High Plains,” a from the Toppan Collection, as well as an exten- group of women who enjoy making and model- sive presentation of books by and about women, ing Victorian era clothing. were on display for the event. Staff member Ronda Frazier spoke on June The AHC holds many collections pertaining Knight Buehler, an actress and dancer in to women’s history that are available to Hollywood films of the 1930s, using film, researchers and may be accessed by contacting or visiting the AHC reference department. ❚

Left: Clarine Dunder gives a spinning demonstration during Archives and Old Lace. Right: Ladies of the High Plains visit the AHC. 4

Aviator William M. Bowlin’s Papers Available for Research

Flying Cross was unusual in that it was awarded for heroism in peacetime. A career Navy officer of more than 30 years, Bowlin enlisted as a seaman in 1918, and quickly achieved the rating of naval mechanic while on the cruiser U.S.S. Trenton. Bowlin was also assigned to a variety of airfields on the east coast and in 1927 achieved a permanent rating as an enlisted pilot. His flight logs show that he flew utility and cargo planes, although he had experi- ence with almost every other type including bombers, fighters, seaplanes, and even air ships. During World War II, Bowlin flew supplies to the Pacific Theatre including Guadalcanal and the Solomons. He was promoted to lieutenant commander shortly before he retired in 1949. He died in 1973. The Bowlin collection contains his full service record and official photographs. His complete A young William M. Bowlin on deck with a husky. Bowlin Collection, collection of flight logs shows the types of aircraft American Heritage Center. he flew, including seaplanes, cargo planes, dive- bombers, torpedo bombers, and fighters. Corre- t was during his 1935 flight to the South Pole spondence from Admiral Byrd and a map of his Ias co-pilot for Richard Byrd that William M. Little America Headquarters for the 1935 South Bowlin earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for Pole Expedition are also included. In addition to heroism. At a critical moment, under hazardous surface features, the map includes the extensive arctic conditions, he flew high enough to take a cru- connecting supply tunnels under the ice. The cial navigational sight. Afterwards, he controlled photographs on Bowlin’s pilot and mechanic his plane despite an extremely dangerous accumu- licenses show a proud and competent sailor and lation of ice on the wings. Bowlin’s Distinguished naval officer. ❚

American West Students Use AHC Collections

tudents in the History of the American West Many students have commented that it is S class have been using AHC collections exciting it is to work with historic documents and throughout the semester to complete research to read about historic events in the words of those papers on topics pertaining to the 19th and 20th cen- who actually experienced those events. As a result tury American West. For many students, this is of their research in American Heritage Center col- the first time they have experienced primary docu- lections, students develop a greater understand- ment research. They have developed sophisti- ing of the ways in which agriculture, conservation, cated research skills that will be of benefit to them mining, politics and world affairs, popular cul- not only in history, but in many other subject areas ture, ranching, the transportation industry, and as well. ethnic diversity influence life and identity in the American West. ❚ 5

AHC Collections Highlighted in Annals of Wyoming

he collections and faculty of the American THeritage Center are featured in the summer 2000 issue of Annals of Wyoming: The Wyoming His- tory Journal. Three members of the Center’s fac- ulty contributed articles for the issue. D.C. Thompson, manager of the Center’s arrangement and description area, authored an article titled “Amalia and Annie: Women’s Opportunities in Cheyenne in the 1870s.” Using the letters of Amalia Post and her niece, Annie Kilbourne, from the Morton E. Post Family Papers, Thompson examined the lives of the two women. Amalia was one of the first women to serve on a jury in Cheyenne in 1871 and she became a suc- cessful businesswoman. Annie, young and single, preferred the social scene the town and territory provided at the time. The two other articles use diaries to relate Wyoming experiences during the early 1900s. August 9, 1915, Grace Hebard and Col. H. G. Ginny Kilander, an archivist in the Center’s refer- Nickerson place a monument at the site of Fort Bonneville, near Daniel, Wyoming. Hebard Collection, ence area, wrote “A Harvard Cook in the Wyo- American Heritage Center. ming Badlands: The 1908 Diary of Alcott Farrar Elwell.” Elwell, a Harvard student, served as a cook with a U.S. Geological Survey team assigned edited by Rick Ewig, the Center’s interim direc- to the coal fields near Buffalo, Wyoming, and kept tor, uses the journal of Grace Raymond Hebard, a diary detailing his experiences during the sum- Wyoming historian and University of Wyoming mer of 1908. The second article, “Journal of a Trip faculty member, to recount her trip around the in Wyoming Following and Marking Trails,” state in 1915 marking various historic sites. ❚

Shepard Krech to Serve as George A. Rentschler Distinguished Visiting Lecturer

rown University anthropologist Shepard spawn detailed analyses of the complex BKrech, III will serve as the 2001 Rentschler historical relationships between North Lecturer on September 20-21. Krech will give the American Indians and their environ- keynote address at the Center’s annual history ments and rekindle debate on the fit symposium, Re-figuring the Ecological Indian and between the image of North American also speak to anthropology, history, and Indian Indians as ecologists and conservation- studies classes. ists, and North American Indian behav- In his keynote address titled “Beyond The Eco- ior. The avalanche of reaction, in over logical Indian,” Krech will discuss the implications sixty reviews and Internet, radio, and for history of North American indigenous peoples class and seminar discussions indicates and their relationship to the land. According to that the debate is keen. Krech will talk Shepard Krech, III Krech, the two objectives of his book were to Continued on page 7 6

New Archivist for Simpson Institute

im Winters was recently hired to serve as pledged a $1million estate gift to endow the K archivist for the Alan K. Simpson Institute institute’s permanent operations. for Western Politics and Leadership. Winters came The Simpson Institute will focus on Western to UW from Great Britain in 1997, earning a leadership—political, economic, social, and cul- master’s degree in American Studies in 1999. She tural to provide a wide range of programs, holds a bachelor’s degree in American studies and including publications, symposia, and lectures Literature from Liverpool John Moores Univer- based on the Western history collections of the sity in Great Britain. A faculty member at the AHC. AHC, she has taught classes for both the UW The cornerstone of the institute will be the Kim Winters American studies and the women’s studies pro- papers of the three Simpsons who have served grams. Wyoming during much of the 20th century. AHC Interim Director Rick Ewig says, “Kim’s Milward, the father, was and U.S. sena- enthusiasm for and knowledge of Wyoming’s his- tor. His son, Alan, served in the Wyoming legis- tory, along with her exceptional work in the lature and then the U.S. senate. Son Peter K., also archives, makes her uniquely qualified for this a Wyoming legislator, later served UW as vice new position. We are very pleased she has decided president for institutional advancement. to serve as the Simpson Institute’s first archivist.” Among other Wyoming political leaders The Simpson Institute was created last year whose papers are in the AHC are territorial gov- when Julienne Michel, a UW benefactor and per- ernor and U.S. Sen. Francis E. Warren; Vice Presi- sonal friend of former U.S. Sen. Alan K. Simpson dent Richard Cheney; Gov. ; Gov. and his wife, Ann, contributed $500,000 to the , America’s first woman gover- University of Wyoming as “seed” money and nor; Gov. ; Secretary of State ; and U.S. Sen. . ❚

District Contests for Wyoming History Day

dozen volunteers from the AHC and the Students competed as individuals or groups in one AUW history department traveled to Hanna of four categories: papers, exhibits, documenta- in April to serve as judges for the District 5 Wyo- ries, and performances. ming History Day Contest. Throughout the According to Marianne Kamp, first time judge month students across Wyoming competed at the and UW history professor, she was “impressed by district level for the chance to advance to the state the students’ poise and command of their topics.” competition. Kamp was particularly encouraged to see how More than 100 students in grades six through much work they put into their projects and “how twelve, representing schools in Hanna, Laramie, creative and thorough they were in doing their Rock River, and Baggs presented their interpreta- research.” tion of this year’s theme, “Frontiers in History.” Students who place first, second, or third in Among the wide variety of topics presented were any of the seven district contests advanced to the “Buffalo Soldiers to the Rescue,” “Walt Disney: state competition held on April 30 in Laramie. Frontiers in Animation,” “Petticoat Prisoners of Wyoming History day is coordinated by the Wyoming,” “The Highlander School; Frontier for American Heritage Center and supported by the Social Justice,” and “Ida B. Wells-Barnett: A Civil Wyoming State Historical Society and the State Rights Journalist and Her Crusade for Justice.” Department of Parks and Cultural Resources. ❚ 7

AHC Notes

In April, Reference Archivist Carol Bowers Korean historian, Dr. James I. Matray, professor spoke to the Laramie Lyceum on using primary of history at New Mexico State University, gave sources for research and recreation and to the the keynote address titled Exposing the Myths of annual conference of Wyoming Women’s Clubs the Korean War. on “Laramie’s Soiled Doves and the Economics Rare Books Curator Anne Marie Lane at- of Prostitution.” tended the American Library Association’s Janu- Nellie Tayloe Ross, America’s first woman ary meeting in Washington D. C., where she governor, was the subject of two talks given by served as co-chair of the Rare Books Security Com- Interim Director Rick Ewig who spoke at the mittee. Homesteaders’ Museum in Powell, in January and Information Manager Mark Shelstad was the Bureau of Land Management in Cheyenne in appointed to the Society of American Archivists March. Ewig also spoke to the Retired Teachers’ Publications Board that coordinates and monitors Association in Laramie on the history of the Union the Society’s publications and selects its editorial Pacific Railroad. In January, Ewig along with staff. Victoria Murphy, Wyoming History Day coordi- The AHC recently loaned materials signed by nator, traveled to Big Piney to give a teacher’s such literary figures as Louis L’amour and Dee workshop on using primary resources in the class- Brown from the Eugene Moran Collection for an room. exhibit in the William Robertson Coe Library on Assistant Archivist Carl Hallberg recently campus. The exhibit on display through the coordinated the annual meeting of the Wyoming spring is curated by UW Library Development Association of Professional Historians. Noted Coordinator Skye Heeren and titled, “The Wyo- ming Literary Map.” ❚

Native Americans as Ecologists Topic (Continued from page 1) today will “kick off” the symposium on Wednes- American Indian Studies Program and is partially day evening. Dave McGary, sculptor of the funded by the American Heritage Center Associ- Washakie statue will have some of his work on ates. All sessions are free and open to the public. display in the UW Art Museum during the sym- For more information contact Sally Sutherland, posium. AHC, PO Box 3924, Laramie, WY 82071; 307-766- The symposium is co-sponsored by the UW 4295; [email protected]. ❚

Shepard Krech (Continued from page 5) about why the debate has been so intense and why Harvard University. His keynote address will be the book has been pilloried and praised. given on Friday, September 21 in the UW Art Currently Krech is serving as a MacArthur Museum Galleries, Centennial Complex. Foundation Fellow at the National Humanities The George A. Rentschler Distinguished Center. He is a professor of anthropology and Visiting Lecturer series is made possible by director of the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthro- an endowment established by Frederick B. pology at Brown University. Krech has degrees Rentschler and his mother, the late Rita Rentschler from Yale and Oxford and received a Ph.D. from Cushman. ❚ 8

Cheyenne Frontier Days Print

he fourth in a series of ten prints from the American Heritage TCenter celebrating the history of Cheyenne Frontier Days is being offered beginning the last full week in July. This year’s image is from a 1934 poster from the Robert D. Hanesworth Collection. Reserva- tions for the print can be made by contacting Vicki Schuster at 307-766-5066 or [email protected] by June 10, 2001. ❚

þ 1934 Poster (American Heritage Center collection)

Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3924 Wyoming Laramie,

P.O. Box 3924 Box P.O.

American Heritage Center Heritage American

University of Wyoming of University

PAID

U.S. POSTAGE U.S. Non-Profit Organization Non-Profit