Trails Center welcomes Wyo. State Archaeologist, hosts living history event this weekend
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CASPER, Wyo. – Check out the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center this weekend, June 10 and 11, for fun, free programs, including a pioneer living history encampment and a special presentation by Wyoming State Archaeologist Dr. Spencer Pelton.
At 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, Pelton will present on the Sister’s Hill cultural site and other Paleoindian campsites. Located just south of Buffalo, Wyo., the Sister’s Hill site was discovered in the late 1950s when locals found artifacts eroding from a streambank. While excavations revealed a buried campsite used 9,000 to 12,000 years ago, little research was done until investigations of the site resumed in 2017. Pelton will describe what is now known about Paleoindian occupations at Sister’s Hill and similar sites.
Pelton became the state archaeologist in 2019 and has maintained a varied career in government, private, and academic sectors. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming (UW) and is a faculty member of UW’s Department of Anthropology. Pelton’s research focuses on the prehistory of hunter-gatherers of America’s High Plains and Rocky Mountain regions, and he has excavated several notable Wyoming sites, including the Powers II red ocher quarry located near Sunrise, Wyo.
Throughout the weekend, the Trails Center will host living history presenters to showcase pioneer life along the trails. Reenactors from the Merchant family will be at the Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Experience the life of a pioneer with pioneer games, music, and presentations of pioneer clothing and accessories.
Events Schedule
- June 10 at 11 a.m.: Overland Trail Game (Youth Program)
How would you fare on the trails across Wyoming? Play our “Overland Trail” game to determine your fate. - June 10 at 1 p.m.: Sister’s Hill Paleoindian Site
with Wyoming State Archaeologist Spencer Pelton. - June 10-11 starting at 8 a.m.: Pioneer Living History
with the Merchant family.- 10 a.m. – Pioneer Games
- 12 p.m. – Pioneer Music
- 2 p.m. – Pioneer Clothing
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.