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Simpson began his political career in 1964 when he was elected to the Wyoming State Legislature. He served for the next 13 years in the Wyoming House of Representatives, holding the offices of majority whip, majority floor leader, and speaker pro-tem. In 1978, he ran for and was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate, where he served until 1997. While in the Senate, Simpson served as majority leader, assistant minority leader, and chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. He also served on the Judiciary Committee and chaired its Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Policy. The collection contains press files, photographs, constituent correspondence, legislative records, office files, personal and family papers, Simpson law office files, and Wyoming State Legislature records.
Explore the Archives West Alan K. Simpson papers inventory.
More than 100 years ago, Grace Raymond Hebard—UW faculty member, administrator, librarian, and Wyoming historian—began collecting the papers and reminiscences of Wyoming’s pioneers. Her research on the history of Wyoming, the West, emigrant trails, and Native Americans became the nucleus for what is known today as the American Heritage Center (AHC). Officially established in 1945, the Center now holds over 90,000 cubic feet of historic documents and artifacts in more than 3500 collections—placing the AHC among the largest non-governmental archives in the nation.
Today, the AHC contains important holdings in numerous areas. Its western history archives include materials on early women’s suffrage and political achievements, native Americans, ranching, politics, authors, and under-documented communities. Other featured collecting areas include transportation (railroad, highway and air travel), mining and energy extraction, entertainment and popular culture (with important collections featuring Hollywood, music, radio, television and the comic book industry), natural resources and the environment, and military history. The AHC also serves as the primary archives for the University of Wyoming. Connect with us on our social media platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Virmuze, and our blog - where we are #ALWAYS ARCHIVING.
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Fax: (307) 766-5511
Email: ahcref@uwyo.edu
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Parking in the Centennial Complex lot is free, but patrons must park only in the area of the lot with the signage that states "CENTENNIAL COMPLEX 2HR VISITOR PARKING". Ares with "RED PERMIT" signage are exclusively reserved for University of Wyoming parking permits and patrons will be subject to fines in this area of the lot without a valid permit during the normal Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. business hours of the university. For visitations lasting longer than 2 hours a free temporary parking permits can be obtained by inquiring at the following locations:
Once obtained, these permits must be promptly displayed on the dashboard or in the front windshield of a vehicle to avoid a fine for overstaying the 2-hour parking limit.
Centennial Complex
2111 Willet Drive
Laramie, WY 82071
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American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY 82071
For UPS & FedEx:
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
16th & Gibbon Street
Laramie, WY 82071
Attn: Bill Hopkins