Billed as a free Eastern Wyoming College Archaeology Symposium, June 27 – 29, 2024, it was an event to remember. A collaborative effort of SHAPPS (Sunrise Historic and Prehistoric Preservation Society), EWC (Eastern Wyoming College), and Wyoming Innovation Partnership, the event was a showcase of Goshen County and southeast Wyoming.

The symposium opened on June 27 with a welcome reception complete with a meet and greet, souvenir bag with a program, archaeological information, notebook and brochures from Go Goshen. Catered by EWC’s kitchen, fancy hors d’oeuvres (they did not skimp) and a variety of beverages were offered. EWC’s archaeology professor, Dr. Steve Howard, President Hawes, local archeology who’s who, guest speakers, and SHAPPS reps mingled with attendees to set an informal stage and to invite audience enjoyment and participation in question-and-answer sessions.

This event was a world-class symposium and included the world’s leading archaeologists from Universities in England, Brazil, Colorado, Uruguay, Texas and our own George Zeimens. The speakers were well credentialed and spoke in terms and ideas that could be easily understood by the audience. Speeches were highlighted by PowerPoint presentations that made the information more meaningful. George and Gerry Zeimens were recognized for their ongoing work at the Hartville Uplift as well as their contributions to archaeology. 

Day 2 of the symposium was much like the first, a friendly welcome, hors d’oeuvres and lectures with PowerPoint exhibits. Exhibits of archaeological findings were also on display. Both nights included question and answer sessions. 

SHAPPS offered hosted tours of their museum, the Sunrise Mine, archaeology diggings and the town of Sunrise. Again, well organized and very informative. Attendees of all three events were pleased with the offerings. 

In my opinion, the only downside was the lack of efforts from Go Goshen. This was a marketing opportunity, dropped in their laps to market Goshen County and bring in visitors to fill hotel beds, restaurants and show off the county. In my opinion, Go Goshen failed miserably. The welcome bag was stuffed with brochures extolling the reasons to visit Goshen County plus a plastic fish bobber. Attendees were almost 100% from Goshen County. Go Goshen simply added their name to the event, participated by distributing their wares to people who live here and wasted time, effort and taxpayer money to gaslight the audience into believing Go Goshen was an active participant.

Bess Carnahan

Torrington