U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso, along with Representative Harriet Hageman, have introduced a bill to rename the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming. The proposed new name is the “Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.”
Senator Lummis highlighted Cubin’s significant contributions: “Barbara Cubin broke barriers and blazed trails for women in the Cowboy State,” she said. Lummis emphasized that the center’s existence is due to Cubin’s dedication and believes renaming it would honor her service to Wyoming.
Senator Barrasso noted Cubin’s leadership as the first woman from Wyoming in Congress: “Her dedication to the people of Wyoming will never be forgotten,” he stated. He views this legislation as a way to acknowledge her legacy.
Representative Hageman also praised Cubin’s achievements: “Barbara was the first woman to win an election for federal office in the state of Wyoming,” she said. Hageman described Cubin as both a mentor and friend, recognizing her leadership as inspirational.
In 1998, Barbara Cubin successfully passed legislation establishing the center to share stories of westward migration in America. The facility is owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and operates through a partnership involving BLM, the National Historic Trails Center Foundation, and Casper city authorities.
Cubin, originally from Casper, served in the U.S. House from 1995-2009 and was a founding member of the Congressional Western Caucus.
