apply now 
The Alfred Jacob Miller paintings digital collection contains the digitized paintings of Alfred Jacob Miller from the Everett D. Graff family and Robert C. Graff art collections maintained at the American Heritage Center. Alfred Jacob Miller was a young American artist hired by Scotsman, William Drummond Stewart to document his 1837 expedition from the Missouri frontier to the central Rocky Mountains for an American Fur Company caravan headed to a rendezvous. During the six-month journey, Miller made 200 or more trail sketches for Stewart, from some of these sketches he painted studio versions to hang in William Drummonds Stewart's Murthly Castle. Most of the Miller paintings in the Graff art collections are some of these studio versions that depict Alfred Jacob Miller's artistic view of the sights and scenes he experienced on this expedition through Wyoming.
Past featured collections:
More than 100 years ago, Grace Raymond Hebard—UW faculty member, administrator, librarian, and Wyoming historian—began collecting the papers and reminiscences of Wyoming’s pioneers. Her research on the history of Wyoming, the West, emigrant trails, and Native Americans became the nucleus for what is known today as the American Heritage Center (AHC). Officially established in 1945, the Center now holds over 90,000 cubic feet of historic documents and artifacts in more than 3500 collections—placing the AHC among the largest non-governmental archives in the nation.
Today, the AHC contains important holdings in numerous areas. Its western history archives include materials on early women’s suffrage and political achievements, native Americans, ranching, politics, authors, and under-documented communities. Other featured collecting areas include transportation (railroad, highway and air travel), mining and energy extraction, entertainment and popular culture (with important collections featuring Hollywood, music, radio, television and the comic book industry), natural resources and the environment, and military history. The AHC also serves as the primary archives for the University of Wyoming. We are #ALWAYS ARCHIVING.
American Heritage Center Reading Room
The American Heritage Center Reading Room will re-open for on-site research, by approved pre-appointment only, for UW employees and students beginning on January 25.
We will have limited hours (10-4, weekdays only), limited seating (6 researchers maximum), and additional rules will be in place. Masks and social distancing are required, as is a daily “Green Card” pass from the Covid Pass website.
Visitors to the Reading Room will fill out the application for on-site appointments.
A re-opening plan for patrons outside of UW is being developed. Please watch for these announcements.
The AHC works to balance safety and access during this unprecedented time. All on-site access/procedures are subject to change as necessary and to conform UW Covid-19 policies.
The AHC is part of the University of Wyoming, and abides by the UW Covid guidelines. Please follow these links to UW's policy and plans:
UW Covid policy
Spring 2021 Campus Plan
Toppan Rare Books Library
Please contact the AHC Reading Room to gain access to our Rare Books Library collections.
AHC Building (Centennial Complex)
Currently the AHC portion of the Centennial Complex is closed to the general public for Covid precautions and for some exciting construction updates. University of Wyoming students and employees can make appointments for in-person research. Virtual consultations sessions can be scheduled for all other non-UW researchers.
Upcoming Closures
The University is closed February 15.
Closures may happen unexpectedly due to the pandemic.
Contact the Reading Room for latest information.
The latest news and press releases for the American Heritage Center.
Parking in the Centennial Complex lot is free but patrons must register (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) at the AHC Front Desk to avoid receiving possible parking tickets. Special parking regulations are in effect during game days, please call in advance for further information.
Centennial Complex
2111 Willett Drive
Laramie, WY 82071
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY 8207
Full Contact Information
1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071
UW Operators (307) 766-1121 | Contact Us | Download Adobe Reader
