Casper Field Office
| Contacts: | Lesley A. Collins, | |||
| 307-261-7603 |
Trails Center Celebrates Oregon Statehood Sesquicentennial and 7th Anniversary
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) invites the public to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Oregon Statehood with free admission Saturday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009.
NHTIC will also be celebrating their 7th Anniversary. Guest speakers and historic period string music will highlight both days, and all ages are welcome to attend. The following is the schedule of festivities for this weekend:
- Aug 8-9, 9 a.m.
How Do We Get There From Here?
Casper resident Kevin Reddy’s presents his well researched interpretation of the U.S. Corps of Topographical Engineers, titled “How Do We Get There From Here?.” These early nineteenth century explorers created purposeful, detailed maps that made overland travel to the far west a real possibility for thousands of emigrants.
- Aug 8-9, 10 a.m.
Mapping Oregon
Robert Hamm, Campus Chair for Education at the University of Phoenix, Oregon Campus will present “Mapping Oregon”, a colorful discovery of how the nation’s awareness of the Pacific Northwest became more accurate as mapping techniques improved.
- Aug 8-9, 11 a.m.
The Oregon Trail to Washington: Ezra Sets the Record Straight
Re-enactor Ray Egan of Steliacoom, Washington will recount “The Oregon Trail to Washington: Ezra Sets the Record Straight.” Ezra Meeker was a young pioneer who crossed the continent in 1852 with his wife and infant son to settle in the Puget Sound area. In his senior years, he focused national attention on preservation of the Oregon Trail and the story of the great migration. In several cross country wagon trips and a famous airplane ride, he stirred public interest in preserving the historic trail, erected trail markers, and is today acknowledged as one of the most successful early preservationists of American history. Ray Egan tells the Ezra Meeker story using original content from diaries, meticulously recreated costumes, and makeup to bring the charismatic pioneer back to life.
- Aug 8-9, 12:15 -12:45 p.m.; 3 p.m.
Ana and Friends
Special guests at the Trails Center Anniversary this year will be “Ana and Friends”, a Casper group that will perform historic period string music throughout the day.
- Aug 8-9, 1 p.m.
Becoming Oregon
Robert Hamm will present “Becoming Oregon”, a look at contemporary issues that generated public and government debate in the late 1850s as both Oregon Statehood and the war between the States loomed.
- Aug 8-9, 2 p.m.
Ezra Meeker: Remember the Oregon Trail
Ray Egan will reminisce with his poignant first-person presentation titled “Ezra Meeker: Remember the Oregon Trail.”
“Our Seventh Anniversary is a great opportunity to reflect on how a strategic but unexplored region of our nation became defined, surveyed, and eventually settled as a Territory and a State” said NHTIC Director Mike Abel. “We invite everyone to join us for this free, two-day celebration of our 33rd state, and enjoy these great interpretive presentations about the important role that Oregon has played in our nation’s history.”
A colorful photo exhibit titled “OREGON: Gem of the Far West” and a 33-star American flag will also be on display at the NHTIC throughout the weekend celebration.
For more information, contact NHTIC at (307) 261-7700.
NHTIC is a public-private partnership between the BLM and National Historic Trails Center Foundation. The facility is located at 1501 N. Poplar Street, Casper, Wyo. The Center is currently operating on summer hours, and is open daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Casper Field Office 2987 Prospector Drive Casper, WY 82604