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Wyoming Statute 9-2-415 states that the Director of the State Archives and Historical Department shall "promote the founding and development of a State historical society and of county historical societies; and create and maintain local and statewide interest in the history of the State and region."
In order to pursue these objectives, a call was sent out to all interested persons for a meeting which was held in Casper on October 18, 1953, for the purpose of organizing the State Historical Society. Seventy-five persons representing all sections of Wyoming responded. At this meeting the constitution of the Society was adopted, officers were elected, and the State Society was officially launched.
Almost immediately after the founding of the State Historical Society county chapters began to organize. A listing of county societies and the dates of organization can be found in the County Chapters section of our web site.
Under the Wyoming State Historical Society constitution the Executive Headquarters of the Society was placed at the State Archives, Museums and Historical Department, which became the Division of Parks and Cultural Resources, Department of Commerce in 1990, and the Director of the Division was designated the permanent Executive Secretary. As a result of the close association between the Department and the Society, there was a continuing and successful working relationship that proved mutually beneficial to both parties, and efficient for the people of Wyoming.
In 1995, the then current Director of the Division of Parks and Cultural Resources and associated personnel, after serious contemplation, decided that the association between the Society and the state was no longer advantageous and requested an end to the relationship. As a result, on July 1, 1995, the Wyoming State Historical Society became a self-supporting non-profit organization.
In 1996, in order to adhere to the requirements of Wyoming Statute 9-2-415, the Division of Parks and Cultural Resources entered into an agreement with the Society to provide monetary assistance for the publication of the Annals of Wyoming: The Wyoming History Journal making, once again, a working relationship between the Society and the state.
In 1964-65 the Society held a statewide competition for a design of an official seal. Click on the SEAL below to learn more...
The Wyoming State Historical Society Records were given to the American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming by the Society between 1996 and 2000. Please see the Guide to WSHS Records, 1873-1999 (bulk 1953-1999), prepared by Melanie Francis.
Use the following links to learn more about the WYSHS...
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