Published for members of the Wyoming State Historical Society March 2018 Volume 65, Number 2 Heard INDIAN EDUCATION FOR ALL on the Thanks to the new Indian Edu- through 12th grade. Some of the cation For All law passed by the changes are substantial. Historical Legislature in March 2017, histo- The Wyoming Board of Educa- Trail ry, civics and social studies stu- tion was slated to get its first look dents across Wyoming will soon at the draft Feb. 15. The draft will be learning more about their be available for public comment The National Council for History neighbors on the Wind River Res- soon, after which those comments Education recently announced that ervation and about other tribes of go back to the board for rejection, WSHS member Sam Mihara has the region, too. The law mandates approval or some other option. been named the winner of the Paul that the Wyoming Department of Check back next month for news A. Gagnon Prize as the 2018 His- Education, in consultation with on how to comment. New stand- tory Educator of the Year. This the Eastern Shoshone and North- ards may be in place as soon as prestigious award is given to an ern Arapaho tribes, review and, if the start of the 2018-2019 school individual who has made a signifi- necessary, revise the standards to year. Teachers would then have cant contribution to history educa- better address the cultural herit- two or three years to put them in- tion. Sam received the award for age, history and contemporary to practice. his work lecturing around the contributions of Native Ameri- The law also requires the state country about his imprisonment as cans. to link to resources on the depart- a child at Heart Mountain Intern- Last spring and summer, the ment’s web site to help school ment Camp during World War II. department assembled a commit- districts meet the new stand- Sam will be in Sheridan and Buf- tee of two dozen people to review ards—but the Legislature set falo in March. To invite Sam to the standards and draft suggested aside no funds to develop curricu- your area contact him via email at revisions. Most, but not all, were lum. That effort is being left up to [email protected]. You Wyoming educators and around individual school districts—or to can also view his website at half were Shoshone or Arapaho. other organizations willing to step www.sammihara.com. Tom Rea, editor of WyoHisto- up. Wyoming PBS, for example, “From Gators to Buffalo Robes” ry.org, represented the Wyoming in 2016, developed a series of was the topic of a program hosted State Historical Society on the short videos on tribal culture and by the Hot Springs County His- committee. history, together with lesson plans torical Society earlier this month. Over the course of two-day written by Native educators. Thermopolis native Merlin Heinze meetings the panel concentrated WyoHistory.org is also develop- and his wife Barbara have devel- mainly on the social study stand- ing new content on Wyoming’s oped a very successful business ards and on the history and cul- Indian history, together with new worldwide that comes from tan- ture of the two tribes on Wind digital toolkits for classroom use. ning natural hides and furs. River, Wyoming’s only Indian For more details about this plan reservation. The panel suggested you can visit with Tom Rea at (Continued on page 3) changes at all levels, kindergarten [email protected]. Wyoming History News March 2018 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE tive known as “Visit Philadelphia” was established to foster Philadelph- Doug Cubbison, President, NW Rep. From the [email protected] ia as a visitor destination through Leslie Waggener, 1st VP, At Large President. focused investments in historic sites [email protected] and museums, combined with an Jane Gebhart, 2nd VP, At Large innovative marketing strategy. The [email protected] Dear friends, results were staggering. In twenty Carl Hallberg, Secretary, At Large Energy has years, tourist visits to Philadelphia [email protected] been historical- nearly doubled. Spending from these Rick Robbins, Treasurer, SE Rep ly, is currently, visitors generated $10.7 billion in [email protected] and will doubt- economic activity, supported more Lisa Thalken, At Large [email protected] less remain in than 93,000 jobs, and generated $612 Jonita Sommers, SW Rep the future the pillar of the Cowboy million in state and local taxes. This [email protected] State’s economy. However, Tourism is the power of heritage tourism. Sylvia Bruner, NE Rep. is our state’s second largest econom- To maximize heritage tour- [email protected] ic contributor. The prosperity, or ism dollars, guests must be offered John Shields, At Large (Out of State) lack thereof, of petroleum, coal and sufficient venues and amenities to [email protected] natural gas is in large measure driven encourage them to remain overnight. by the international commodities A Family Group day visit generates Executive Secretary and Editor market…resulting in thirteen boom a mere $90.00, while an overnight Linda Fabian, 322-3014 and thirteen bust cycles since state- stay brings $320.00 into a communi- All correspondence, membership hood! As recently as February 12, ty ….and these are 1996 dollars! issues and questions 2018 Governor Matt Mead told law- Simply attracting a handful of cars should be addressed to: makers “the state's current budget off the interstate highways overnight, challenges shouldn't prevent spend- every day, can make a significant Wyoming State Historical Society ing … to help diversify the state contribution to our small-town econ- Linda Fabian, Executive Secretary economy from its heavy dependence omies! To achieve such economic P. O. Box 247 on the energy industry.” Unfortu- benefits, public private partnerships Wheatland, WY 82201 nately, in times of economic duress, must be established that invest in the knee-jerk reaction is to cut in- Wyoming’s historic sites, parks and Preferably via email to [email protected] vestments in historic sites, parks and museums; rather than denuding our museums in a misguided attempt to state of these irreplaceable and ex- reduce budgets. Governor Mead’s tremely vulnerable treasures that own proposed budget called for a have the potential to unleash eco- The Wyoming State Histor- reduction in State Parks and Cultural nomic prosperity by attracting tour- ical Society, a non-profit, Resources alone of four staff posi- ists off the interstates and into our membership driven organ- tions and approximately three mil- communities. ization, encourages the lion dollars. Currently, the City of As President of the Society, study of Wyoming history. Casper is contemplating seasonally I am attempting to visit every one of closing the Fort Caspar Museum, our chapters this year, permitting me We believe to study the one of the nation’s top ten western to personally explore the full past is to understand the museums. Thus, our state’s econo- breadth, diversity and strength of present and prepare for my, already battered and buffeted by heritage tourism sites throughout our the future. Our vision is to the turbulent energy market, is being communities. If you know of such a insure that Wyoming’s further eviscerated by self-inflicted site, or a historic preservation fo- wounds. cused business that you feel I should past remains accessible to In 1996, the City of Phila- discover, or needs publicity or sup- present and future genera- delphia, Pennsylvania faced a similar port, please let Linda or me know. tions. challenge. Although Philadelphia’s population is three times larger than Until Next Time, the entire Cowboy State, its tourism Doug predicament was identical- it was treated as a “drive-by city” by east- ern tourists, much as western tourists Visit www.wyshs.org and “like” drive past Wyoming’s communities us on Facebook on their way to Yellowstone or Grand Teton. A public-private initia- 2 Wyoming History News March 2018 (Heard on the Trail continued from page 1) Laramie. The event will also fea- WSHS/WCC Historical Society ture an overview of the work by member Dr. Jess Clark is assist- Alexander Gardner, a photogra- ing in a tour to commemorate the pher during the 1860s. 75th Anniversary of D-Day in the The Historic Bishop Home in summer of 2019. Enrollment is Casper enjoyed a successful Val- required by February 28, 2018. entine’s Day Tea, and are working www.efcst.com/2100429CV. on future events. The historic The Exchange Both the Platte County and home is available for rental for Natrona County Historical Soci- small groups, lunches and events. WILLARD ELEMENTARY eties enjoyed a program by You can also schedule a tour. For SCHOOL: WSHS member WSHS president Doug Cubbison additional details call 237-2443 or Mary Lynn Corbett is gathering about Indian Doughboys in the [email protected]. historical information on the Great War. WSHS board member The Converse County Histori- Willard School in Natrona Coun- Lisa Thalken also shared infor- cal Society recently toured the ty. If you have memories or ma- mation about the Society’s Stagecoach Museum in Lusk. If terials to share please contact Emerging Historians initiative at you haven’t visited that museum Mary Lynn at 234-2009. the same program. Doug will be make time to do so. The group’s JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: The visiting the Fremont County Emerging historians will host Alliance for Historic Wyoming is Historical Society on March the second annual Prohibition Par- seeking a part-time Executive Di- 11th, and the Albany County ty fundraiser at the Headstrong rector. For details visit Historical Society on March Brewery on March 29th.