Albany County Historic Preservation Board

02/11/2026

Please join us in welcoming one of the new members of our Board of Directors!

Christie Wildcat is an enrolled Northern Arapaho tribal member from Riverton, WY; who has earned a Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Arts in Anthropology. She holds three bachelor’s degrees from the University of Wyoming in Anthropology, Native American & Indigenous Studies, and Political Science. Christie works at the University of Wyoming for the CO-WY ASCEND Engine as a Community Outreach Coordinator and is actively engaged in Indigenous advocacy, including work related to MMIWG, environmental justice, and community-led organizing on the Wind River Reservation. Her interests focus on Indigenous sovereignty, international Indigenous rights, and land and water protection. She currently serves as the Northern Arapaho Tribal Liaison for MMIP and sits on the Wyoming Women’s Foundation Board. We are thrilled to have Christie's voice as a guiding force of the Alliance's future endeavors and programs.

01/22/2026

Laramie’s oldest neighborhood just earned national recognition. Not for fancy buildings, but for the people who built this town. Our Tanisha Bucad takes us to the West Side, now officially

01/17/2026

OFFICERS | Karen C Bard - Chair; Mary Hopkins - Vice Chair; Gwendolyn Kristy - Secretary; Mary Beth Brown - Treasurer; Members: Chavawn Kelly, Eric Sandeen, Damian Kirkwood

Send a message to learn more

01/17/2026

Congratulations to the West Side Historic District and the West Side League of Neighbors.

01/17/2026

01/17/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended our West Side Neighborhood Celebration last night! Karen Bard, chair of the ACHPB, gave the following remarks:

Good evening, everyone, and welcome.

My name is Karen Bard, and as Chairman of the Albany County Preservation Board, it is truly an honor to welcome you here today for the unveiling of the plaque officially declaring the West Side of Laramie a Historic District recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

First and foremost, I want to thank the residents of the West Side neighborhood. This designation belongs to you. Historic districts are not just about buildings or boundaries on a map—they are about people who care deeply about the places they call home. Your pride, stewardship, and commitment to preserving the character of this neighborhood are what made this recognition possible.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our distinguished guests and dignitaries who have joined us today. Your presence underscores the importance of this moment—not just for the West Side, but for the entire City of Laramie and Albany County. Thank you for your continued support of historic preservation and community heritage.

Today’s unveiling represents years of thoughtful work and collaboration. I would like to take a moment to recognize the Albany County Preservation Board, whose dedication and persistence helped guide this district through the nomination process. Preservation work is often quiet, detailed, and behind the scenes, but it is incredibly meaningful. Our board members devote their time and expertise to ensuring that Laramie’s history is not only remembered, but protected for future generations. I am deeply grateful for their service and proud of the role they have played in achieving this milestone.

The West Side Historic District tells an important story about Laramie. It reflects the growth of our community, the evolution of neighborhoods, and the everyday lives of the people who shaped this city. These homes and streetscapes represent craftsmanship, architectural character, and a sense of place that cannot be recreated once it is lost. By earning a place on the National Register of Historic Places, the West Side is now formally recognized as a district of national significance—worthy of preservation and respect.

Historic designation is not about freezing time. It is about honoring our past while thoughtfully moving forward. It encourages reinvestment, education, and pride, while ensuring that the unique character of this neighborhood continues to contribute to Laramie’s identity and sense of community.

Today, as we unveil this plaque, we are not just marking a location—we are acknowledging a shared commitment to preservation, to storytelling, and to the belief that our history matters. This plaque will serve as a visible reminder that the West Side is an integral part of Laramie’s heritage and a legacy worth protecting.

Thank you all for being here to celebrate this important achievement

12/28/2025

Come join us for an open house hosted by the Laramie Urban Renewal Agency on January 13th! Whether you’re a member of the public or live near the proposed project area, anybody is welcome to attend! The purpose of the Open House is to explore establishing a plan and project for land on the West Side (see map below) to be developed. The Open House will be at the Lincoln Community Center on 365 W Grand Ave and will have two sessions available: session one from 11 AM – 1 PM and session two from 4 PM – 6 PM. These are drop-in sessions – no sign-up required. Come join us and share your thoughts with the Urban Renewal Agency!

10/14/2025

ACHPB Secretary Gwendolyn Kristy and WYDOT's District 1 Engineer Ralph Tarango pose at the Summit Rest Stop during a field trip to the Lincoln Monument.

The ACHPB, with the expertise of historic preservation firm Post Oak Preservation Solutions, is pursuing a National Register nomination for the Lincoln Monument.

Thank you for your support, WYDOT!

08/14/2025

Laramie's West Side Neighborhood was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 4, 2025. The Albany County Historic Preservation Board would like to thank everyone who worked so hard over the last decade or more to make this happen. If you are interested in reading the final nomination (both in English and Spanish), follow the link below! Thanks to our contractors, Post Oak Preservation Solutions, for all their hard work preparing the listing.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dYfuvlx0at7yy0wkNc5s0Edqdp8Vs3KG/view?usp=sharingcocton

05/20/2025