Wyoming State Archives

Overview

The Wyoming State Archives is a division of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, responsible for collecting, managing, and preserving public records from Wyoming state and local governments that hold long-term administrative, legal, and historical value. Located in the Barrett Building in Cheyenne, the Archives serves researchers, state agencies, and the general public through three core work units: Reference, Research and Historical Photos; Records Management; and the State Imaging Center.

History and Founding

The Wyoming State Archives traces its institutional roots to the late nineteenth century, evolving from the Wyoming State Archives and Historical Department. Over decades, the Archives developed into a comprehensive state records program with formal statutory responsibilities for both current records management and historical preservation. Sara Davis has served as Wyoming State Archivist since September 2022, bringing experience from the University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center and from digital preservation work at the National Association of Olmsted Parks.

Collections and Holdings

The Archives holds an extensive range of materials documenting Wyoming's governmental and cultural history. Its Historical Photograph Collection includes more than 500,000 images of Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain region, with notable collections from photographers J.E. Stimson, Frank Meyers, Thomas Carrigen, Miller-Meyers, and Fendley. The Archives also maintains Wyoming Blue Books, oral history interviews, historical maps, and digitized newspapers. A digital archives program has grown to encompass more than one million electronic files capturing state agency records. The Archives participates in the Internet Archive's Archive-It Program, selectively crawling and preserving Wyoming state agency websites and social media.

Materials Related to Journalism and Media

The Archives holds early Wyoming newspapers and governmental press records, including political documents from the 1920s. Through its web archiving program, the Archives captures and preserves social media and web content produced by Wyoming's state agencies and elected officials, constituting an evolving record of official public communications.

Access and Usage

The Archives is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is closed on holidays. Admission is free. Many digital resources, including historical photographs, newspapers, maps, and oral history recordings, are available online through wyohistory.org. The Archives also administers a Roving Archivist Program, providing one-on-one consultations to smaller repositories across Wyoming.