Share your historic trails stories, photos at Trails History Harvest in November
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CASPER, Wyo. – The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is calling all with family stories, photos, or documents of the historic trails to share them at the first-ever Trails History Harvest.
On November 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Trails Center experts and volunteers will photograph documents and record oral histories brought in by the public. Both days will also feature presentations by Trails Center park ranger Kylie L. McCormick and Casper College Western History Center librarian and archivist, Hanz Olson.
- 11 a.m. – McCormick will share the story of Alfred J. Adams and the rediscovery of his 1859 diary, which until recently was kept in a private family collection.
- 1 p.m. – Olson will give a workshop on at-home archiving, sharing the best practices for preserving treasured family records. Olson will define archival concepts to help identify, arrange, and preserve materials. Participants are encouraged to bring their own physical or digital photos or documents to learn hands-on.
An unknown number of diaries and letters traversed the plains carried in the wagons, pockets, and packs of the nearly 500,000 people who made their way along the historic trails. Today, many of those stories may still survive in attics or basements or have been passed down as family lore. The Trails Center invites anyone with trails-related documents and memories to share, as these accounts can help solve mysteries and add to our understanding of experiences on the trails.
For more information about Trails History Harvest, contact Kylie L. McCormick at kmccormick@blm.gov or call the Trails Center at 307-261-7700.
The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is open 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm 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.