Casper historian Tom Rea to present at the Trails Center Saturday
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CASPER, Wyo. – The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center welcomes back local historian Tom Rea at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 3 for his presentation of “Exploring with Jim Bridger, the Raynolds Expedition of 1859-60.”
Guided by Jim Bridger, U.S. Army Captain William F. Raynolds led a 30-person scientific expedition in 1859-1860 to explore the Yellowstone region of Montana and Wyoming. They travelled up the Missouri River by steamboat, turned south along the front of the Bighorn Mountains, wintered on Deer Creek near present-day Glenrock, Wyo., and trekked west up the Wind River. Dramatic images of the country and people they met were documented by an expedition photographer and painter. Rea’s presentation will explore the expedition’s routes, people, topography, political background, and legacy.
Rea lives in Casper where he is an editor and co-founder, alongside the Wyoming Historical Society, of the state history website WyoHistory.org. He worked for many years in the newspaper business and since that time has written books and given many presentations on the history of Wyoming.
At 1 p.m. on June 4, local historian Bruce Berst will present “The Arms Race of the American Indian Wars” at the Trails Center. As weapons evolved, both in their design and practicality, so did warfare on the American frontier. Join us for this hands-on presentation by Berst and his display of a variety of firearms from the era.
Events Schedule
- June 3 at 10 a.m.: National Historic Trails Center Foundation – 5k Fun Run
For information, see https://nhtcf.org/. - June 3 at 1 p.m.: Exploring with Jim Bridger, the Raynolds Expedition of 1859-60
with local historian Tom Rea. - June 4 at 1 p.m.: The Arms Race of the American Indian Wars
with interpreter Bruce Berst.
Interested in upcoming programs at the Trails Center? Visit the Trails Center’s website at https://www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/national-historic-trails-interpretive-center or follow BLM Wyoming on Facebook or Twitter. For more information, call the Trails Center at 307-261-7700.
The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.
1501 N Poplar St., Casper, WY 82601.
Admission is Free
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.