Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Abe Morris papers, 1980-2020
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Morris, Abe
- Title
- Abe Morris papers
- Dates
- 1980-2020 (inclusive)19802015
2020-ongoing (inclusive)19802015 - Quantity
- 4.66 cubic ft. (10 boxes) + 1.43 GB + Website
- Collection Number
- 11256
- Summary
- Abe Morris (1956-) was one of the first African American bull riders to compete at the professional level. This collection contains information about Abe Morris and his rodeo career. Included are articles written by and about him and his career, correspondence, a draft of his book “My Cowboy Hat Still Fits,” Abe’s website, and copies of Humps N’ Horns Bull Riding Magazine.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Abe Morris (1956-) was one of the first African American bull riders to compete at the professional level. Born and raised in Woodstown, New Jersey, he began his bull riding career at the Cowtown Rodeo before moving west to attend the University of Wyoming on both academic and rodeo scholarships. As a member of the University’s rodeo team, Morris competed in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and became a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). During his time at the University of Wyoming, he won the bull riding title at the 1978 Laramie River Rendezvous Rodeo. After graduating in 1980 with a degree in Business Management, Morris continued to compete professionally, participating in the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo and the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo. His professional bull riding career ended in 1994 due to a hip injury. Morris is also notable for being the first African American to hold a PRCA announcer’s card, working as a broadcast commentator for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo for nine years. Post-injury, he stayed involved in the rodeo world by writing for Humps N’ Horns Bull Riding News and later published his memoir My Cowboy Hat Still Fits in 2005, detailing his life on the rodeo circuit.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains information about Abe Morris and his rodeo career. Included are articles written by and about him and his career, correspondence, a draft of his book “My Cowboy Hat Still Fits,” Abe’s website, and copies of Humps N’ Horns Bull Riding Magazine. Also included are other newspapers and magazines and artifacts related to his bull riding career.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in CollectionsThe American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
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Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Collection Name, Collection Number 11256, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Related Materials
There are no other known archival collections created by Abe Morris at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
This material was received from Abe Morris from 2003–2022. And from Brian Gregory in 2020.
Processing Note
The collection was processed by John Hanks in January 2005 and updated by Jamie Greene between 2016 and 2020. The collection was re-processed by Brittany Heye in October of 2024.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | Abe Morris School Visits | 2008 | |
1 | Articles about Abe Morris | 1980-2010 | |
1 | Articles by Abe Morris - Bull Riding News Column | 2003-2004 | |
1 | Articles by Abe Morris - Rocky Mountain Rodeo News, The Fence Post | 2002-2004 | |
1 | Artifacts - Abe Morris name badges | undated | |
10 | Artifacts - Cowtown Rodeo Alumni pins | undated | |
1 | Artifacts - Cowtown Rodeo Napkin and Pen | undated | |
1 | Artifacts - Humps N' Horns (HNH) Bull Riding News sticker | undated | |
1 | Artifacts - Neck Scarf | undated | |
1 | Artifacts - Tickets to Rodeos | 2004, 2006 | |
10 | Artwork - Salem County Sports Hall of Fame Class | 2006 | |
1 | Biographical Material about Abe Morris - Resumes, Memorabilia | 1980-1999 | |
1 | Biographical Material - Abe Morris | 2005 | |
1 | Book - "Cowboys of Color" by Don Russell (hardcover) | 2016 | |
1 | Booklet - Black Heritage Festival | February 3-5, 2006 | |
1 | Booklet - Wester Legends: Yesterday & Today - African Americans, 1798-2009" by Elizabeth Ann Lawless | 2009 | |
1 | Business Cards - "Cowboy Chute Out Cookies" and "Care Financial Wealth Management" | undated | |
1 | Certificates | 2006, 2008 | |
1 | Correspondence | 2001-2008 | |
1 | Correspondence - Abe Morris | 2003-2004 | |
1 | Correspondence - Mark Allen Greene | 2004-2009 | |
1 | Cowboy Chute Out Cookies | 2018 | |
1 | Draft - "My Cowboy Hat Still Fits" by Abe Morris | undated | |
Digital | ahcdm_11256_001 | Interview by FOX31 Denver with Abe Morris | February 12, 2020 |
1 | Letters to State Representative (2015) and National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum (2010) | 2010, 2015 | |
1 | Magazines | 2007-2008, 2015 | |
1 | Magazines - Articles about Abe Morris' Rodeo Career (photocopies) | 1989-1999 | |
1 | Magazines - Photocopies | undated | |
1 | Miscellaneous | undated | |
1 | MLK African American Heritage Rodeo cards | 2006 | |
1 | "My Cowboy Hat Still Fits" promotional materials | undated | |
1 | National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Western Heritage Awards Entry Form | 2006 | |
1 | National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum | 2010 | |
1 | Newsletters - "HACTICS" - U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs | undated | |
1, 10 | Newspapers | 1989, 2005-2008 | |
10 | Newspapers - Articles by/ about Abe Morris | 2012-2013 | |
10 | Newspapers - The Denver Post | 2006, 2010 | |
10 | Newspapers - Equality State Book Festival | October 19-21, 2006 | |
10 | Newspapers - Photocopies | undated | |
10 | Newspapers - Smyrna Beach, Florida | 2006 | |
10 | Newspapers - Today's Sunbeam | 2006 | |
10 | Newspapers - The Wrangler | 2005, 2007-2008 | |
1 | Pamphlets - Colorado House of Representation, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, "72nd Annual Jubilee Days" | undated | |
1 | Photographs - Abe Morris and others | undated | |
1, 10 | Posters | 2006, undated | |
1 | Programs | 2005-2008, undated | |
1-8 | Publications - Humps N' Horns Bull Riding Magazine (HNH) | 2004-2014 | |
9 | Publications - Online News Article printouts - Denver Post | 2006-2010 | |
9 | Publications - Online News Article printouts - Humps N' Horns Bull Riding Magazine (HNH) | 2006 | |
9 | Publications - Online News Article printouts - Rodeo | 2005-2010 | |
9 | Publications - ProRodeo Sports News (PSN) | 2005, 2009 | |
9 | Publications - ProRodeo Sports News (PSN) photocopies | 2005-2008 | |
9 | Publications - Rodeo News | 2005-2008 | |
9 | Publications- Wyoming Library Roundup | 2005, 2007 | |
9 | Videotape - Abe Morris from the Rodeo Library | undated | |
Digital | Website: www.abemorris.com | 2020-ongoing |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- African American rodeo performers
- Bull riding
- Rodeos
Corporate Names
- University of Wyoming