Hello fellow history enthusiasts and welcome to "History Highway!" I am Alexandra Philp and as the Executive Director of the Wyoming Historical Society, I'm thrilled to be on this monthly journey with you.
In History Highway we’ll be exploring something truly essential to our mission: heritage tourism here in our magnificent state. Each month, I’ll take you along on my travels, sharing personal narratives, anecdotes, and highlighting those hidden gems and iconic landmarks that render Wyoming’s past so vibrant and accessible.
My profound appreciation for heritage tourism was cultivated not only in a classroom, but also on countless formative road trips across Wyoming with my parents. I retain a vivid memory of these excursions: every roadside marker and monument was an obligatory stop. We did not simply read the inscription; we got out, walked around, observed the physical setting, absorbed the atmosphere, and allowed the landscape to inform the narrative. My father, who possessed a remarkable command of regional lore, always offered additional context, enriching the history of the area with his personal connections and detailed knowledge. Standing on the very ground where history unfolded, immersed in that multi-sensory experience, solidified my lifelong commitment to Wyoming's story.
That distinctive experience of interpersonal history is something unique to our state. Wyoming, despite its immense geography, fosters a profound sense of connection due to its small population. Our local histories are not merely abstract dates and names; they are often profoundly and directly intertwined. We share a collective continuity with the people and events that shaped our communities, our ranches, and our wild landscapes. It is highly probable that your neighbor's ancestors had direct acquaintance with mine, or that your family’s land sits adjacent to a route pioneers once traversed.
In fact, this deep-rooted connection is why I’m especially honored to be a member of Wyoming’s Monuments and Markers Advisory Committee. To move from being a child reading those roadside plaques to having a direct part in shaping and sharing our state’s history for future generations is truly a privilege. It allows me to help ensure that the markers we place today carry the same resonance and personal relevance that those monuments held for me and my family all those years ago.
The idea that “history is the why” creates relational depth in how we recognize that history encapsulates an essential human truth: it is the definitive why behind who we are today, providing the essential context from which we chart our course into the future. It is woven into our geography, our culture, and our governance. When you engage with a historical site in Wyoming, you are not merely observing the past; you are positioning yourself within a direct, traceable lineage to the narratives and individuals who define this place. It is a real, tangible, and intensely personal connection.
So, please buckle up! (Seriously, wear your seatbelt folks!) In the coming months, we will explore pioneer trails, ghost towns, historic main streets, and vital museums—always prioritizing the human story behind the stone, and the collective connection we all share.
Let’s hit the road and discover why #HistoryThatsWY is truly a journey worth undertaking.
Until next time, safe travels.
-Alexandra Philp