American Heritage Center

Filling in the documentary gaps within the areas of national, regional, and state business industries and politics is of key importance to the Simpson Institute. Oral history is a powerful tool that enables us to capture different perspectives, most of which cannot be found in written sources. What is oral history? It is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes or videotapes and transcriptions of planned interviews. Interviews are conducted with people who participated in or observed past events and whose memories and perceptions of these are preserved as an aural record for future generations.

Wyoming's Energy Booms and Busts: An Oral History program explores the social, environmental, and economic impacts of Wyoming's latest energy boom. The program interviews those involved in, and impacted by, the activities to develop and extract the state's coal, natural gas, and wind energy. Funding is provided by the Wyoming Humanities Council, the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources, and the American Heritage Center.

The Milward L. Simpson Family Oral History Program focuses on the generations of the Simpson family whose history has been interwoven with the history of Wyoming for more than one hundred years. This project is funded through the generosity of Denver businessman Carl Williams.