The Saratoga Museum is hosting its second annual A Celebration of Custom and Culture by recognizing the 125th anniversary of Wyoming becoming a state.
Festivities will be held the Fourth of July after the parade with the 67th Wyoming Army Band performing from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Museum Pavilion at 104 Constitution Ave. in Saratoga.
Beginning at 2 p.m., re-enactments will take place featuring prominent people from more than 125 years ago. J.W. Hugus, portrayed by his great-great granddaughter Kinta Blumenthal, will be on hand to talk about his contributions to the Platte Valley before Wyoming became a state.
Candy Moulton and Lori Van Pelt will portray the Huntington sisters, who were the editor and business manager of The Platte Valley Lyre from 1890 to 1902. Gertrude Huntington was 24 and Laura Huntington was 22 when they purchased the Platte Valley Lyre from W.B. Hugus.
Both Moulton and Van Pelt were employees of the Saratoga Sun in the 1980s. Moulton was the first female editor in modern times for a Wyoming newspaper.
The Platte Valley Lyre and the Saratoga Sun were “friendly” rivals in 1891. When R.I. Martin purchased the Saratoga Sun, he also bought the rights to The Platte Valley Lyre.
The Saratoga Museum also has exciting games for children – including an archaeology dig. The children will be able to take home real artifacts from their “dig.”
An old-fashioned dime toss will also be set up. Land a dime in a dish, china or glass and take home the prize.
Homestead and mountain man clothing will be available for patrons to put on and have their photo taken. People can have their photo taken in front of the sheep wagon or the blacksmith shop.
Finally, a demonstration of wool spinning and a treadle machine will take place during the afternoon.
All of the above-mentioned activities will take place from 2-4 p.m. on the Saratoga Museum grounds and are open and free to the public.
For more information, contact Virginia Parker, museum director at 307-326-5511.
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