American Heritage Center, Laramie History Subject Guide: Laramie Jubilee Days

Downey Family Papers, 1866-1997

Acc. #10555

Stephen Wheeler Downey (1839-1902) was born in Maryland and was admitted to the bar in 1863. He served in the northern army during the Civil War, attaining the rank of colonel. He married during this time and had two daughters. In 1869 S.W. Downey followed a brother, William O. Downey, to Laramie. His wife died shortly after their arrival, and he married Evangeline Victoria Owen in 1872. Downey practiced law in Laramie and served in the state legislature. He drafted the bill creating the University of Wyoming; and he also attempted to develop several mines in the area.

Eva Owen Downey (1853-1937) was born in England and traveled to Salt Lake City as an infant. In 1868 her mother brought Eva, her sister Etta, and her son William east to Laramie, Wyoming, where they settled. Eva and Stephen Downey had ten children together, including Stephen Corlett (1873-1934), who became a lawyer and partner in his father’s practice; June Etta (1875-1932), who was a professor at the University of Wyoming and became nationally prominent in the field of psychology research; Sheridan (1884-1961), who pursued a political career as a liberal in California; and Alice (1892-1969), who acted as the historian of the family.

The collection contains biographical information about various family members; writings of family members, including poetry, moral and philosophical treatises, and publications on family history; a diary from 1869-1870; ephemera of Laramie social clubs, Laramie Jubilee celebrations, and the University of Wyoming; business records of the Keystone and other mines in the Albany County area; correspondence of Downey’s law practice; photographs of the family, Laramie, the university, and mining operations; and a scrapbook.

Mary Kay Mason Papers, 1894-2000

Acc. #10719

Mary Kay Mason was an artist and an author. She worked in Burns, Wyoming before World II at Farmers' State Bank. She served in the U.S. Military during World War II. She wrote two books about Laramie: "Fifty Years Of Jubilee Days 1940-1990", and "Laramie Gem City Of The Plains", and one about Albany County "The War Years In Albany County". She lived in Laramie, Wyoming.

The Mary Kay Mason papers contain research files for her books: "Fifty Years of Jubilee Days,1940-1990" (1990), "Laramie Gem City of The Plains" (2000), and "The War Years In Albany County" (no date). There are also scrapbooks titled "Creating the Book Laramie Gem City of the Plains" and "Fragments" about an exhibition of her art in 1988, which contains slides of the paintings.

There is also information about the Women in Military Service for America Foundation (U.S.) and the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. There is the foundation's newsletter "The Register" (1988-2000), correspondence to charter members and supporters about the progress of the fund raising for the memorial (1988-2000), article about the groundbreaking ceremony in "The Stars and Stripes" (July, 1995), brochures and calendars, and a book by Wilma L. Vought, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) about the dedication of the Women in Military Service Memorial ceremony, "The Day the Nation Said Thanks!". The memorial is located in Arlington Cemetery.

Laramie Jubilee Days Exhibit