What's New -- Wyoming State Historical Society
History Grants Available - News Release
January 31, 2012
Contact: Mary Kelley, 685-1231 or marykelley@vcn.com or Linda Fabian, 322-4237 linda@dancewyoming.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Need financial assistance to help finalize your history project? The Wyoming State Historical Society is once again offering cash grants to people involved in research activities based on various aspects of the state’s history. The grants, ranging from $100.00 up to $1500.00 are awarded based on applications submitted to the Society’s Lola Homsher Endowment Fund Committee. The deadline is February 28, 2012 with applicants notified of the results in the spring.
Committee chair Mary Kelley said this is an exciting opportunity for amateur and professional historians and could be that financial impetus to further research on a wide range of subjects. “Each year we receive applications from individuals involved in writing books, conducting oral histories or even restoration projects. The Society is pleased to be able to help researchers further their efforts with these funds,” said Kelley
Grant monies are drawn from a fund established by the late Lola Homsher. Homsher was a noted historian and state archivist. Kelley said one of Homsher’s most significant contributions to preserve Wyoming history came when she spearheaded establishing the Wyoming State Historical Society in 1953. After her retirement Miss Homsher made a major donation to the Society that has been used as an endowment to help fund Society programs.
The committee reviews all proposals and makes awards after the selection process has been completed, usually in spring. Preference is given to proposals that promise original research on topics related to Wyoming history. Wyoming residents are also given preference, but all applications are welcome. Proposals must include a statement of purpose, an explanation of the project, the value to Wyoming history and a description of how the public will benefit from the research.
Kelley said it is rewarding to become aware of how many different areas of research are being done around the state. Last year’s recipients used the funds to further research on outlaws and bootleggers, historical documentaries, and oral histories of Native Americans who served during WII and the Korean War. “Professional and amateur historians are doing a wonderful job of making sure Wyoming’s legacy is available for others to learn from.”
Kelley reiterated that the Society welcomes applications that touch upon all the unique aspects of Wyoming’s history. All recipients must provide the Society with a final report about their projects.
Previous recipients, applications and rules can be obtained by visiting the Society’s website at <wyshs.org> and then by selecting “Homsher Endowment.” If you do not have access to the web, please contact the Wyoming State Historical Society at 307-322-4237 or linda@dancewyoming.com to receive a copy of the application. The deadline for submitting proposals is February 28, 2011.
WSHS Preserve Wyoming Conference
The always popular preservation conference will be held in Pinedale, Wyoming the weekend of May 18th. Come early and participate in Pinedale Living History Days which are being held on May 15-17th.
Staff of the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office is working hard on the details, each one guaranteed to bring you additional tools for your community preservation projects. The keynote speaker will be Mitchell Silver who will talk about the “big picture.” Mitchell has held positions in both the public and private sectors, including serving as the Deputy Director in the Office of Planning Washington, D.C. Other topics will include downtown design guidelines, conservation/preservation easements (what they are and how they are helpful), and landscape preservation. The Sommers Ranch, the New Fork River Historical Park and the Boulder Schoolhouse will be highlighted on tours.
Nominations are currently being sought for the 2012 Preserve Wyoming Awards that honor those who have made significant contributions to historic preservation. Any Wyoming citizen, community/organization or project may be a potential nominee. Nominations must be postmarked by February 1, 2012 and sent to Preserve Wyoming Awards, 2301 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002. For more details visit http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/ or call 777-7566.
To assist individuals in attending the conference, the Society, in partnership with SHPO, has established a conference travel stipend. Monies for the stipend are generated from the Silent Auction held every year at previous conferences. Students, WSHS members, local preservationists, and any Wyoming citizen with an interest in historic preservation is encouraged to apply. The stipend is a reimbursement process. Recipients will pay their costs up-front and will be reimbursed on the last day of the conference. The stipend is to be used for hotel and food costs, in addition to conference registration. The application is competitive and an itemized list of anticipated expenses is required. Applications are due no later than April 11th in order to take advantage of the early bird discount. Applications must be sent directly to Linda Fabian, Executive Secretary, WSHS, P. O. Box 247, Wheatland, WY 82201. The committee will make final selections prior to the early bird deadline. The number of recipients per year is contingent on available funds and number of applications. Forms can be found on both the SHPO and WSHS websites: http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/ or www.wyshs.org. You can also always call Ashley at 777-7566 or Linda at 322-4237.
Travel Stipend Application (Print, Apply & Send to Linda)
Wyoming State Historical Society Constitution and Bylaws
Please see the new Wyoming State Historical Society Constitution and Bylaws as amended and adopted on September 10, 2011.
2011 Award Recipients
The Wyoming State Historical Society honored several residents and organizations at the Society’s 58th annual meeting held recently in Evanston. The Society’s prestigious awards program recognizes individuals and organizations from all across the state whose work honors and preserves Wyoming’s legacy. The nominations were submitted by members of the Wyoming State Historical Society and its various chapters.
Good work and congratulations. View the Award Recipients for 2011
Convergence Conference in Cody Deemed Successful
For information about how to stay involved visit www.convergencewyoming.com
Wyoming’s culture is unique, but are we leveraging this culture to help build prosperous communities? The Convergence Conference brought together Wyoming’s Creative, Cultural and Historical Resources to take a look at Wyoming’s cultural heritage for the visitor, increase cooperative planning across communities and unite under common goals. To see how you can stay involved visit www.convergencewyoming.com.
Wyoming History Day: A Wyoming Signatures Feature
National History Day started almost 40 years ago to raise the value placed on studying history. By 1980, it had become a national competition. Now more than half a million middle and high school students participate annually. Wyoming Signatures' Mary Jung explores the presentations and talent at this year's Wyoming History Day, held at the American Heritage Center on the campus of University of Wyoming.
