Abe Morris papers, 1980-2020

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Morris, Abe
Title
Abe Morris papers
Dates
1980-2020 (inclusive)
2020-ongoing (inclusive)
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 Information

The 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 Collections

The 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.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

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