Guide to the Territorial Historical Company collection
Scope and Content
The collection includes records of the research activities of the Territorial Historical Company. The bulk of the collection consists of biographies of Wyoming pioneers "collected" by Peter M. Wilkerson. The biographies concern people from Albany, Carbon, Fremont, Laramie, Sweetwater and Uinta counties. Lists of the pioneers, by county, are included.
Letterhead used by Hoyt lists members of the Wyoming Academy of Sciences, Art and Letters, of which he was president
Also included is a folder of "historical material" that may or may not have been part of the original collection. It includes a paper or notes about early Cheyenne by A.D. Kelley for a presentation to the Young Men’s Literary Club in 1915.
Dates
- 1886-1890, 1915
Creator
- Territorial Historical Company (Organization)
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Historical Note
According to information in the Territorial Historical Company’s articles of incorporation (corporation file no. 445, filed February 16, 1886 with the Wyoming Secretary of the Territory Office) the purposes of the Company were "the preparation, publication, and sale of full and complete histories of Wyoming Territory, and of the states and territories of the United States." The company’s initial trustees were John W. Hoyt president, Nathan E. Stark secretary, and Peter M. Wilkerson treasurer. $100,000 in stock was ititally offered at $100 per share. Information in a bill of sale between Wilkerson and Stark, included in the collection, indicates the biographies were compiled for use in a history of Wyoming, being compiled and written by John W. Hoyt. A few related letters dealing with the acquisition of information from individuals are also included. The venture was abandoned before a book was published.
This collection is sometimes referred to as the "Wilkerson Biographies".
Extent
.5 cubic foot
Abstract
The collection includes records of the research activities of the Territorial Historical Company. The bulk of the collection consists of biographies of Wyoming pioneers "collected" by Peter M. Wilkerson
Arrangement
Biographies are filed alphabetically
Acquisition Information
Accessioned in 1974 under the name Peter M. Wilkinson Collection with the note "Previously received but unaccessioned. Assigned current accession number for protect."
MSS 559 and MSS 574 added to this collection August 11, 2006.
Copies of related letters found in "Territorial Historical Company" subject file added August 11, 2006.
Existence and Location of Originals
Unless otherwise noted, originals of records listed in this finding aid are housed at the Wyoming State Archives. Material may be stored off site. Please contact staff to view.
Alternate Formats Available
The biographies are available on microfilm in the WSA Reading Room. This microfilm was digitized and the images are available online. See notes in container list.
Separated Material
None
Processing Information
Finding aid prepared in 2006 by Curtis Greubel
Creator
- Territorial Historical Company (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Territorial Historical Company Collection, 1886-1890, 1915
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Suzi Taylor
- Date
- © 2022
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Wyoming State Archives, Wyoming Cultural Resources Division, Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources Repository
Barrett Building
2301 Central Avenue
Cheyenne Wyoming 82002 United States
(307) 777-7826
wyarchive@wyo.gov