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Lora Webb Nichols (1883-1962) was born in Boulder, Colorado. She lived most of her life in Encampment, Wyoming where she was married to Albert (Bert) Oldman in 1900, and to her cousin Guy H. Nichols in 1914. She worked in the Encampment post office, owned and published the Encampment newspaper, and worked as a ranch cook. In 1935, she moved to Stockton, California, where she became superintendent of the Stockton Childrens Home. Upon retiring, she returned to Encampment, where she wrote her unfinished memoirs, "I Remember : A Girl's Eye View of Early Days in the Rocky Mountains." Collection contains transcripts of her diaries (1897-1907), an unfinished manuscript for "I Remember", and photographs of the Encampment, Wyoming, area.
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 is closed to visitors coming into the builidng and is expected to remain closed into the start of the new year, however the AHC is still open for business. Archivists are on-site and working to provide you with access to collection material. Check out the AHC Virtual Resource Hub or get in touch:
Toppan Rare Books Library
The Toppan Rare Books Library is closed to the public and to is expected remain closed into the start of the new year. Please contact the Reading Room through the links above to access points listed, to gain access to our collections.
AHC Building (Centennial Complex)
The American Heritage Center is closed to the public and is expected to remain closed into the start of the new year. Please contact our Reading Room through the links above to access points listed, to gain access to our collections.
Upcoming Closures
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.
1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071
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