The Wyoming Historical Society announces recipients of its 2017 Lola Homsher Research Grants.  Doug Cubbison, chair of the committee, noted that four out of eleven applications were approved for a total award of $5,505.75. He said the committee was very impressed with the research projects that people from throughout Wyoming are pursuing. “Each application described a unique aspect of Wyoming’s history.  I’m sorry we couldn’t fund each and every one of them.”

Doug added, “This program is just one way the Society reaches out to the public to support efforts in preserving Wyoming’s legacy.”  Members and non-members alike, amateur and professional historians, and students are eligible to apply for the Research Grants as long as their end result is tangible.  This year applications were reviewed by members of the Society’s Project Committee including Doug Cubbison (Casper), Chair; Patty Kessler (Laramie); and Kem Nicolaysen (Casper).  The recipients for the 2017 round of research grants are:

• Andrea Graham, Laramie. $1154.00 for “Wyoming Community Halls.”  Andrea is a Folklife specialist in the American Studies Program at the University of Wyoming.
• Katherine Kasckow, Laramie. $1351.75 for “Cheyenne's African American Community.” Katherine has her B.A. in History with minors in Museum and African American and Diasporas Studies from the University.
• Elizabeth Watry, Pinedale. $1,500.00 for Abbot-Downing Stagecoaches, Yellowstone National Park.  Elizabeth is a researcher, author, speaker and scholar.  She is the curator for the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale.
• Johanna Wickman, Casper, $1,500.00 for  “Colonel Preston Plumb and the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry on the Overland Trails.”  Johanna holds four degrees including an MA in History.  She provides museum consulting and historical research services to individuals and institutions.

Applications for Homsher Research Grant funds are due each year on the last day of February.  For details, and to see previous recipients, visit www.wyshs.org.