Author Archives: Admin

Four Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails venues – Sinks Canyon, Hot Springs, Legend Rock and Wyoming Territorial Prison – have been awarded the TripAdvisor 2014 Certificate of Excellence Award.

“We greatly appreciate that the public has shared the great experiences they have had in our unique and spectacular parks and sites,” State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails Administrator Domenic Bravo said. “There is nothing more satisfying than knowing our visitors have left inspired, refreshed and rejuvenated.”

Award winners must maintain a rating of at least four out of five stars and be listed on the website for at least one year and have a minimum number of reviews to receive the honor.

All accommodations, attractions, restaurants and vacation rental worldwide are eligible to receive certificates of Excellence.

Click the link to read a wonderful article from the Laramie Boomerang about the Site Host program at the Territorial Prison.

http://www.laramieboomerang.com/articles/2014/07/06/news/doc53b8badf3280c696102609.txt

The Wyoming Territorial Prison is hosting its annual Statehood Day Celebration on July 10th from 11 am to 3 pm.  This event is FREE and open to the public.

Our opening speaker will be journalist and author, Bill Sniffen, whose weekly column appears in the Laramie Boomerang along with 12 other newspapers in the state.  Mr. Sniffen will be speaking about insights he has gained while publishing both his most recent book plus insights gained while working on his next book (called “My Wyoming”) coming out in November.

At 1:00 pm, there will be a historical presentation where visitors can meet Amelia Earhart as she returns to Wyoming before her flight around the world.  Hear her tell of her adventures in aviation as well as her Wyoming connections.  Amelia Earhart will be portrayed by Dr. Ann Birney, who has performed for the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum as well as for the NASA Space Consortium.

We will have a FREE hot dog lunch with watermelon and birthday cake at 11:30 for the FIRST 600 PEOPLE (we always run out!).  From 11 am to 3 pm, there will be several family activities on the grounds, including our Shooting Gallery, the Bimini Tree Ring Toss, Totally Twisted Balloons, Wyoming Nature Art, the “Forest of Hope Express” trackless train rides, and Rain Gutter Boat Races.

For more information on the day’s events, please call the Territorial Prison at 307-745-3733.

“Butch Cassidy: Who Was That Guy” opens at Wyoming Territorial Prison

Butch Cassidy had plans, and those plans needed ruthless men to carry them out.  He assembled an elite corps of outlaws and organized the Wild Bunch which became the most successful ring of thieves in American history.

A new permanent exhibit on Butch and his gang will debut on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.   Opening remarks and ribbon cutting will begin at 10:00 am with Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Director, Milward Simpson speaking about his family’s connection to the outlaw, Butch Cassidy.

“We are excited about this new exhibit on the West’s favorite outlaw.  This exhibit will examine the mystery, the myth, and the man known as Butch Cassidy.  Cassidy’s story has become larger-than-life. We believe that the public will enjoy our exploration of the folklore and history behind the escapades of Butch and the Wild Bunch.” says Deborah Amend, Superintendent.  This exhibit was possible with partial funding by the Wyoming Humanities Council.

After the exhibit ceremony, a festival full of family fun will take place from 12:00 noon until 5:30 pm.  Kids’ activities will take place throughout the afternoon, in addition to stagecoach rides, tractors, shooting gallery, free caricature artist, food and much more.  At 1:00 pm a special showing of the iconic, Academy Award movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid will take place in the horse barn theater. Kids (ages up to 10 years) are encouraged to dress up as a cowboy outlaw or lawman/Sheriff  – prizes will be given to best costumes.

This entire day is Free to the public and provides something for everyone.  Come on out and ride along with Cassidy and the gang.

For more information on the Butch Cassidy exhibit opening and Festival activities go to http://www.wyomingterritorialprison.com/ or call (307) 745-3733.  Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, 975 Snowy Range Rd, Laramie, WY.

Join us for all of the fun events happening this year at the Territorial Prison!

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is in the air! To celebrate, the Wyoming Territorial Prison has a new event: “Love Behind Bars: Tales of Love Gone Wrong”. This is a brand-new guided evening tour of the prison that tell the stories of our inmates who found themselves incarcerated due to love. The tours will be February 12th and 13th at 7:00 pm. Couples will not only tour the prison, but will also enjoy light, romantic hors d’oeuvres and desserts afterwards in the dining hall. Only 12 couples will be allowed on the tours, so call now to reserve your spot for a Valentine’s Day event neither of you will ever forget!