The Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office is thrilled to announce the U.S. Department of the Interior has officially approved the updated documentation for the Wyoming State Capitol Building and Grounds National Historic Landmark designation.
“The restoration of the ‘People’s House’ ensured Wyoming’s future generations are exposed to the rich history contained in the Capitol,” Governor Gordon said. ‘This honor reflects the pride Wyoming’s people have for our history and the collaborative work that went into preserving it.”
The Wyoming State Capitol Building and Grounds was originally designated on May 4, 1987 under the Historic Sites Act of 1935, which allows the Secretary of the Interior to identify and honor locations that capture the American experience. The updated designation, approved on September 2, 2024, affirms the site’s exceptional value to Wyoming residents and all Americans. Thirty-five capitol buildings in the U.S. have been designated National Historic Landmarks, including twenty current state capitols and fifteen former ones, such as older, colonial, tribal, and territorial capitols.
“The recognition of the Wyoming State Capitol Building as a National Historic Landmark is a testament to our rich heritage and a reminder of the importance of safeguarding our history for future generations,” said Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Brian Beadles. “Our dedication to preserving the historic sites of Wyoming honors the stories and values they embody.”
The National Park Service conducted extensive studies and involved the community. The National Park System Advisory Board provided recommendations, ensuring that the criteria for National Historic Landmarks were carefully applied.
In their letter of support to the National Park Service, Wyoming Senate President, Senator Ogden Driskill, and Wyoming Speaker of the House, Representative Albert Sommers, wrote, “It is our great privilege, as the presiding officers of the Wyoming Legislature, to lend our voices in full support of the update to the Wyoming Capitol’s designation as a National Historic Landmark… The restored Capitol and Wyoming’s role in women’s suffrage is a source of pride for the people of Wyoming and that is why we wholeheartedly endorse its updated designation to continue its proud history as a National Historic Landmark.”
National Historic Landmarks are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, making them eligible for the safeguards and benefits provided by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and other federal laws protecting historic properties.
Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources’ Deputy Director Sara Sheen expressed gratitude to the nation’s community members involved in the process. “Your insights have enhanced the recognition of this irreplaceable site,” she said. “This designation serves as a reminder to foster an appreciation for the past while building a future rooted in Wyoming’s heritage.”
Learn more about the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office by visiting wyoshpo.wyo.gov.
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