The history of the University of Wyoming Archives begins with the establishment of the University Archives and Western History Division in the University of Wyoming Library in 1945. The department was established to care for the records of the University and to collect and preserve materials having to do with the history of Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain Region.
The Board of Trustees approved the policy that required all departments to “preserve in their files programs, circulars, and mimeographed all materials issued by the departments or offices; correspondence of significance to the University; record books, financial reports, and all other records of importance… When the departments or offices no longer wish to keep such materials on file, the University Archivist [should] be consulted as to what material may be disposed of and what should be turned over to the University Archives for permanent preservation” at the February 16-17, 1946, meeting.
Under the direction of Gene Gressley, who took over the role of University Archivist in 1956, the archives grew to include topics beyond the UW Archives. By 1976, Gressley became the Director of the newly named American Heritage Center, which was no longer part of the Library. From 1982 to 1986, the AHC was briefly returned under the administration of the Library. Then in 1986, the AHC again became an independent unit while still housed within Coe Library. In 1993, the Archives moved into a new building, the Centennial Complex, shared with the UW Art Museum. Since then, four archivists have held the position of University Archivist: Mark Shelstad, Laura Uglean Jackson, Irlanda Jacinto, and Sara Davis.
In 2008, the Board of Trustees adopted University Regulation 7-490 (now 2-400): Regulations of the American Heritage Center. The regulation outlines that the mission of the AHC is
(1) to preserve a clearly defined set of primary sources and rare books reflecting the written, image, and audio history of Wyoming, the Rocky Mountain region, and aspects of the American past and (2) to make these resources accessible to all.
Further, the regulation formalized that the AHC will designate a faculty archivist(s) to fulfill the role of University Archivist; the University Archivist
will assist in assessing functions related to managing information at the University, particularly electronic data, to make certain that departments and programs are 1) consistent in following procedures for managing information, 2) complying with state public record laws, and 3) ensuring long-term preservation of administratively and historically valuable material by verifying completion and fulfillment of records retention schedules. The University Archivist shall participate in the decision-making process for different University electronic information management systems to ensure the systems meet legal and administrative requirements and best practices for recordkeeping.
Through this mission, the AHC plays an active and creative role in the teaching, research, and service mission of the University.