GOSHEN COUNTY – If history is something you are interested in, Goshen County Historical Society might be something worth looking into. 

Every fourth Tuesday of the month, from September to November and January to May, Goshen County Historical Society has programs where speakers come in and discuss local history. Sometimes this history looks like just the Goshen County area, and sometimes they broaden out to the entire state as they are well connected to the state society. 

The board of directors takes turns organizing the programs and their speakers and subjects in order to give some diversity. These programs are available to the public in person, or on Facebook lives. The society also welcomes new members. New members must pay a $5 annual fee and have the option to have a State Membership which has a variety of options. 

The goals of both state and county members are very similar. They both wish to educate community members and preserve the past. 

According to Deb Davidson, the society has previously covered topics such as air travel, outlaws, World War II POWs, local family histories, Fort Laramie, and Sunrise Mine. 

September’s meeting was an example of local family history. Jack Preston shared his family’s link to the 66 Mountain in the county. He followed this with the history of our country and land law development. He discussed the connection to this with the Revolutionary War. His story for the month expanded from local history and connected with the very far back history of the United States. 

Their upcoming meeting will be about the sugar beet industry. They typically meet in the Platte Valley Bank conference room at 7 p.m.

Meetings are not the only way the society shares history. They also have a Facebook page they post on regularly. 

Another important place the historical society is connected to is the local Homesteaders Museum. There is so much history in the museum, the society highly recommends you visit. 

“The Goshen County Homesteaders Museum is the home to historical artifacts, historical information, and genealogical resources related to Goshen County from the first settlement in 1834 until homesteading ended; We strive to collect, present, and interpret the history of Goshen County and its people,” the City of Torrington stated. 

The museum provides numerous programs for everyone to enjoy and learn about the county’s past.