Governor Gordon to Proclaim September as Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Aug. 17, 2026 – In celebration of Wyoming’s rich cultural heritage, Governor Mark Gordon will proclaim the month of September as Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month (WAAM) on Aug. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the State Capitol. The public is welcome to attend the proclamation event.

The purpose of WAAM is to provide the public with education and resources about the importance of preserving and protecting Wyoming’s archaeological heritage.

Throughout September, events, activities, and lectures will highlight Wyoming’s archaeology and cultural heritage. To find an event near you, check out the WAAM 2026 Events Calendar.

Gwendolyn Kristy, state coordinator for WAAM, says, “We really hope we reach as much of the public as possible throughout Archaeology Month this year. Wyoming’s cultural heritage is so important to our identities as Wyomingites. We hope programs like the free posters and free events provide an opportunity for all to participate.”

The centerpiece of WAAM is an award-winning poster produced annually. This year’s poster, “Hoofbeats as Heartbeats: Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” celebrates the long and complex relationship between people and horses through Wyoming’s archaeological record as part of our nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations.

The artwork featured on the poster was created by well-known and award-winning Wyoming native Robert Martinez of Riverton. The artwork features a Native American Plainswoman with her horse, overlaid on a historical map of Wyoming, with rock art from around the state also featured.

Dr. William Taylor of CU Boulder, a noted expert on horses in the archaeological record, states, “As we celebrate our nation’s 250-year anniversary in the American West, it’s hard to imagine a more powerful and enduring symbol of our culture and history than horses.”

The poster is available free of charge and may be picked up at the State Historic Preservation Office or Wyoming State Museum in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne, or in Laramie at the Anthropology Building, located at 12th and Lewis, Room 312. Those wishing to have a poster mailed may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. An $18 shipping charge will apply.

2026 WAAM Events:

Wyoming Archaeology Fair — Saturday, Sept. 12
The largest celebration of WAAM is the Wyoming Archaeology Fair, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site in Laramie. This event is free and open to the public.

The 2026 Fair features more than 30 booths, many offering hands-on activities such as atlatl throwing, flintknapping, pottery making, historic games, ancient food preparation, and learning how to make rock art. Special features at this year’s fair include Plains Indian Sign Language demonstrations, a performance by the Wind River Dancers at 1 p.m., Fort Laramie living history demonstrations, and live music from the Twaynes throughout the day.

Annual WAAM Lecture — Thursday, Sept. 24  
The Wyoming SHPO and the George C. Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology are also hosting their annual WAAM lecture on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 4:10 p.m. at the University of Wyoming. This year’s guest is Dr. Steven Kuhn of the University of Arizona. Dr. Kuhn’s primary research interests revolve around Paleolithic sites in Serbia, Morocco, China and the Levant. More information will be provided about this event as it approaches.

Semiquincentennial Event and Fundraiser — Friday, Sept. 25  
New this year, as part of the Wyoming SHPO’s Semiquincentennial celebrations, is a unique event being held Friday, Sept. 25, in the Capitol Auditorium in Cheyenne. The event, which will include remarks from Governor Mark Gordon, is a fundraiser for 2027 Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month programming and will feature a silent auction. Martinez’s original framed and signed artwork will be among the items auctioned to the public. Other items, including a hafted projectile point made by flintknapper and archaeologist Damian Kirkwood, will also be auctioned.

The program begins at 5:30 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres and the silent auction, followed by a lecture by Dr. William Taylor. The event will conclude around 7:45 p.m. with the closing of the silent auction. This event is free and open to the public.

We hope you join us in celebrating Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month this September. Learn more at wyoshpo.wyo.gov/index.php/events-training/archaeology-awareness-month. 

Figure 1: The 2026 Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month poster, featuring artwork by Riverton artist Robert Martinez, is freely available to the public. The original framed and signed artwork featured on this poster will be auctioned off on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Wyoming Capitol Auditorium. Figure 2: Learn how to make rock art in a technique known as hand spray, using natural pigments at the 2026 Wyoming Archaeology Fair.