This month, we feature an early image maker and a man who nearly refused to tell his story. 

Scenes from a military post

Alexander Gardner took some of our most important photographs of the Civil War and the 19th-century West. His images from the crucial 1868 treaty negotiations at Fort Laramie capture Sioux, Crow, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people, mixed-race families and interpreters, government peace commissioners and vivid scenes of life at the fort. Read more in James Nottage’s article, “A Treaty in his Lens: Alexander Gardner Photographs Fort Laramie, 1868.”

Partly true, partly not

Frank Grouard lived with Hunkpapa and Oglala Lakota bands as captive, adopted brother and champion hunter. Later he re-entered the world of White men as an army scout in the Indian Wars. He told his life story to Buffalo, Wyoming journalist Joe DeBarthe, who published it—and made some of it up. Read more in Nancy Tabb’s article, “Frank Grouard: Silent Man of the Plains.”

Native American Heritage Month

Finally November is Native American Heritage Month. Find much here about programs and offerings for students, teachers and the rest of us to celebrate the month from the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, the National Archives and the National Park Service.

And on WyoHistory.org, read any of two dozen articles on Native people linked from our landing page, Indigenous People in Wyoming and the West, and classroom materials linked from our Education Page.

Latest from the Blog

The Closet of History
Even a substantial congressional career and, in archives, several hundred pages of documents, writings and memos were not enough to save Frank Mondell from being buried by time.

No Time for Tears: The Life & Art of Dixie Lynne Reece
Wyoming ranch woman and regional artist Dixie Lynne Reece lived a life of hard work, dedication and courage. From the 1950s-1990s, she seamlessly combined her love of ranching with her joy of painting.

Two Days in One
October 12, the 531st anniversary of the Columbus’s landing in the Bahamas — Indigenous People’s Day as well as Columbus’s Day — is a good day to remember how moved he was by the mildness and kindness of the people he encountered. And then to remember how the Tainos were separated from their hands, and the Plains tribes were separated from their lands. We might also remember what they were given in return, which were promises.

Upcoming Events around Wyoming

For November calendar events, visit the Wyoming Historical Society’s new website. If you know of upcoming history-related events in Wyoming, send a note to editor@wyohistory.org.

View the Calendar