Wyoming State Museum

Happy Statehood Day, Wyoming!

History isn’t just told through books—sometimes it’s hidden in the objects that witnessed it.

On display in the "Treasures of the Past" vault at the Wyoming Capitol is a book of warrants from the Office of the Territorial Auditor. These warrants functioned much like checks, authorizing payments from the territorial treasury. At first glance, they seem like ornate financial records. But a closer look reveals an unexpected snapshot of Wyoming’s transition from territory to state on July 10, 1890.

Inside the cover is a printer’s note reminding officials to order new warrant books three months in advance to allow time for printing—and even for the ink to properly season before use.

That small detail explains something remarkable. When Wyoming officially became the 44th state, new warrant books weren’t ready overnight. Instead, officials carefully modified existing territorial warrants by hand, replacing territorial references until newly printed state warrants arrived.

Those first state warrants proudly featured Wyoming’s Capitol as it appeared in 1890 and our new identity as the 44th state. The State Auditor's embossing stamp used on the warrants also features “Equal Rights” as the new state's motto.

It’s a wonderful reminder that museum artifacts don’t just preserve history—they often reveal the small, everyday details that bring history to life.

Happy 136th Birthday, Wyoming!