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The collection contains materials accumulated by Palen on the American west, particularly Cheyenne Frontier Days and rodeos. The collection includes souvenir programs, newsclippings, schedules and brochures, commemorative envelopes, publications, scrapbooks and photographs of the C.B. Irwin family who were associated with Frontier Days; photographs and postcards of parades and rodeos, and memorabilia relating to Cheyenne Frontier Days, 1884-1998, and its affiliated organizations, the Old West Museum and the Heels.
The J.S. Palen Collection Archives West Finding Aid.
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. Connect with us on our social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Virmuze, and our blog - where we are #ALWAYS ARCHIVING.
Phone: (307) 766-3756
Fax: (307) 766-5511
Email: ahcref@uwyo.edu
Closed on UW holidays” under Hours of operation
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Parking in the Centennial Complex lot is free, but patrons must park only in the area of the lot with the signage that states "CENTENNIAL COMPLEX 2HR VISITOR PARKING". Ares with "RED PERMIT" signage are exclusively reserved for University of Wyoming parking permits and patrons will be subject to fines in this area of the lot without a valid permit during the normal Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. business hours of the university. For visitations lasting longer than 2 hours a free temporary parking permits can be obtained by inquiring at the following locations:
Once obtained, these permits must be promptly displayed on the dashboard or in the front windshield of a vehicle to avoid a fine for overstaying the 2-hour parking limit.
Centennial Complex
2111 Willet Drive
Laramie, WY 82071
For US Postal Service:
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY 82071
For UPS & FedEx:
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
16th & Gibbon Street
Laramie, WY 82071
Attn: Bill Hopkins
