The Wyoming Historical Society announces recipients of its 2013 Lola Homsher research grants. Tamsen Hert, chair of the committee, said, “The committee selected nine projects out of fifteen applications for a total award of $6,000.” Hert added that the committee is impressed with the amount of research that people are pursuing about aspects of Wyoming’s history. “The Homsher Grant program is one of the most important ways the Society reaches out to the public and makes an impact on preserving Wyoming’s wonderful history.” Anyone considering research about Wyoming that will result in a tangible project is eligible to apply for the research grants. Hert said this applies to members and non-members alike, amateur and professional historians, and students. For details visit www.wyshs.org.

This year’s Homsher recipients are:

  • Renee Barrera, Laramie. $500.00 for “Land of our Ancestors: Indian Removal in Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.”
  • Douglas Cubbison, Mission, KS. $200.00 for “U.S. Army Route Security along the Frontier Trails: 1847-1877.”
  • Chelsea Frazier, Laramie. $700.00 for “One Does Not Sell the Land People Walk On: The Troubled History of U.S.-Lakota Relations, 1851-1889.”
  • Teton Raptor Center, Wilson. $1,000.00 for “The Mosely/Hardeman Barn: A Treasure in Plain Sight.”
  • John Rumm, Cody. $750.00 for “Studying and Managing Wildlife in Wyoming and the West: Olaus and Adolph Murie.”
  • Jennifer Tennican, Jackson. $660.00 for “Turpin Meadow Then and Now: A Conversation with Nancy Johnstone and Elaine Luton.”
  • Doc Thissen, Laramie. $190.00 for “Laramie Midwest Refinery: Historically Insignificant.”
  • Dave Throgmorton, Rawlins. $500.00 for “Savagery & Civilization: George Parrot, Governor John Osborne and Curious Justice on the Frontier.”
  • Mike Mackey, Sheridan. $1,500.00 for “Wyoming and the Colorado River Compact.”

In addition to Tamsen Hert (Laramie) as chair, the Homsher Committee includes Patty Kessler (Laramie), Tina Hill (Rawlins), Tisa Cheney (Fort Bridger). This year former Awards Chair, Judy Musgrave (Sheridan), also sat in on the committee.

Hert reported that for the first time since the inception of the grant program all applications were reviewed by committee members electronically. Despite some of the technical quirks the committee was able to adapt to the process which expedited the decisions and saved time and money at the same time.

The funds for the Homsher Grant Research Program come from an endowment left to the Society by the late Lola Homsher. Homsher was instrumental in the early beginnings of the Society, and a former Wyoming State Archivist.

In addition to receiving research funds, each recipient receives a one- year complimentary membership in the Wyoming State Historical Society. Benefits include receiving the Society’s scholarly journal, Annals of Wyoming, and the monthly newsletter, Wyoming History News. The Lola Homsher Grant is made possible from the endowment that prominent Wyoming historian Lola Homsher created for the purpose of promoting the research of Wyoming history. The next deadline to apply for these research grants is February 28, 2014. To learn more about the Lola Homsher Research Grant Program, or other aspects of the Wyoming Historical Society, visit the website at www.wyshs.org or contact executive secretary Linda Fabian at 307-322-3014 or linda@dancewyoming.com.