News

Save the Date: Wyoming Archaeology Fair to Take Place September 12, 2026

Details: Category: News; Published: Wednesday, 20 May 2026 18:08

LARAMIE, Wyo. – May 20, 2026 – In celebration of Wyoming’s rich cultural heritage, September is recognized statewide as Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month (WAAM). The month’s signature event is the Wyoming Archaeology Fair, the largest WAAM celebration in the state.

The Archaeology Fair will take place at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site in Laramie, WY, on Sept. 12, 2026. From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., entry fees to the Territorial Prison are waived, and visitors can participate in a variety of educational activities related to Wyoming’s archaeology, history, and culture. Planned activities include spear throwing (atlatl) stations, flintknapping, rock art, yucca processing, rabbit hide painting, and a special performance by the Wind River Dancers at 1 p.m.

“Last year was our biggest Fair yet, with almost 1,500 attendees! We hope everyone can join us again for a fun day of free hands-on learning,” states Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month Coordinator, Gwendolyn Kristy.

The Archaeology Fair is an opportunity for members of the public to talk with real archaeologists from around the State and to learn about possible careers in archaeology and how to steward our state’s important cultural resources. The Fair has been occurring annually since 2015 and is one of the largest cultural fairs in Wyoming.

For more information about the Wyoming Archaeology Fair and the Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month program, contact Gwendolyn Kristy, chief of SHPO's Planning & Historic Contexts Development Program, at (307) 766-5366 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also learn more about the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office at wyoshpo.wyo.gov.

Figure 1. Save the Date for the 2026 Wyoming Archaeology Fair graphic. Figure 2. University of Wyoming students teach young attendees how to throw atlatls at 3D targets.

Contact: Gwendolyn Kristy, (307) 399-5366; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.