The Caspar Collins Heritage Festival took place on Saturday, July 18, at the Fort Caspar Museum, honoring the city’s namesake, Caspar Collins. Collins was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army who played a significant role in the area’s history.
Caspar Collins’ Story
According to Fort Caspar supervisor Steve Gainer, Collins was a young lieutenant who had been in the area for only a couple of days when he encountered a large band of Native Americans, including Crazy Horse. Despite being friends with Crazy Horse, Collins was unfortunately killed by other tribes in the area.
The festival featured various activities, including living history presentations, pioneer camps, mountain men, Frontier Army soldiers, and Mormon handcart displays. There were also hands-on ranching experiences, historical games for children, a classic car display, food trucks, and horses.
Community Engagement
The event aimed to promote community engagement and appreciation for the city’s history. Fort Caspar Museum curator Michelle Bahe said her favorite part of the day was seeing people’s reactions when they learned about the city’s history. The festival provided an opportunity for families to come together and learn about the area’s rich heritage.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
