Category: Event

Visit the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center this Saturday and Sunday for an entire weekend devoted to Native American history with Cleve Bell.  

Presentations and demonstrations focusing on basic survival skills, stone tool making, and atlatls will take place on August 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and August 27 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds outside the Trails Center.  

The Trails Center welcomes back special guest Cleve Bell to share his knowledge of Native American culture. Bell is a local Wyoming artist and retired art teacher from Wyoming Indian High School in Ethete, Wyoming.  

Schedule of Events:

Both days all day: Native America tipi set-up and survival skills

Saturday: August 26

1pm – Atlatls Demonstration

3pm – Stone Tool Making Demonstration

Sunday: August 27

10am – Tipi History

12pm – Atlatls Demonstration

02pm – Stone Tool Making Demonstration

July 29:            Civilian Pioneer Living History Event with the Merchant Family: 8-5 

July 30:            Civilian Pioneer Living History Event with the Merchant Family: 8-3 

Step back in time with a special Pioneer Living History Weekend at the Trails Center  

Experience the life of a pioneer this weekend at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center with living history reenactors, live pioneer music, and more.  

The Trails Center welcomes back living history presenters to showcase pioneer life along the trail. Civilian reenactors associated with the Merchant family will be at the Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 29 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 30. The pioneer camp will be brought to life by the Merchant Family with the following special presentations on both days: 

• 10:00 a.m. – Pioneer Games
• 12:00 p.m. – Pioneer Music 
• 02:00 p.m. – Life on the Trails
  

We invite you to bring your lawn chairs and cozy up with the pioneer encampment as these presentations will be located outside as you learn about the travelers of the mid-1800s.  

For more information and to register, please call Jason at 307-261-7783

The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (NHTIC) presents the summer 2023 line-up for off-site pioneer trail treks. These treks provide a rare opportunity to experience unique and meaningful sites from the pioneer trails era with deeper connections to the past. During these treks, participants will drive their own vehicles or carpool with others and will be led by NHTIC employees and OCTA (Oregon-California Trails Association) members.

Trail trek participants will meet in the parking lot of the NHTIC at 8 a.m. and depart shortly after. These treks are driving trips with numerous stops in between. Sites will have uneven surfaces and primitive trails with elevation changes and may not be suitable for those in poor physical condition. Bring a lunch, water, and snacks and wear appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for walking and be ready for changing weather conditions. We recommend high-clearance and 4-wheel drive vehicles for these treks. For more information and to register for any trek, please call Jason Vlcan at 307-261-7783.

May 27 – Saturday – Black Hills Route near Douglas, WY

This trek will focus on what pioneers called the Black Hills Route near the Douglas, WY area.

June 17 – Saturday – Witness a Pioneer Reburial near Guernsey, WY

A rare opportunity will occur for this trek as participants will witness the reburial of Dr. McDermott, a pioneer who died in 1849 near the present area of Guernsey, WY.

August 19 – Saturday – Rocky Ridge Monuments in Central WY

This trek will take participants to both the lower and upper monuments of Rocky Ridge in central Wyoming.

September 09 – Saturday – The Oregon Trail Road near Casper, WY

Known as the Oregon Trail Road, this trek will follow County Roads 308 & 319 west of Casper with numerous trail related stops.