Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Louisa A. Swain materials, circa 1860-1960
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Swain, Louisa A.
- Title
- Louisa A. Swain materials
- Dates
-
circa 1860-1960 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- .92 cubic ft. (1 box)
- Collection Number
- 00807
- Summary
- Artifacts, photograph, clipping, and correspondence pertaining to the first woman voter in Wyoming. Louisa Swain cast her ballot in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1870.
- 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
-
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
In 1869, the Wyoming Territorial Legislature became the first government in modern history to approve general and unconditional female suffrage, which also granted women the right to hold office. In 1870, Louisa Swain was the first woman to vote under Wyoming's Suffrage Act. Louisa Swain was born Louisa Gardiner in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1801. She married Stephen Swain, and the couple moved with their four children to what later became Wyoming Territory. When Wyoming Territory was organized in 1869, women's suffrage was written into the constitution, giving Mrs. Swain, and other women who were resident in the territory and who were United States citizens, the right to vote on an equal basis with men. Louisa Swain, who was residing in Laramie, Wyoming, was the first to cast a ballot.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Louisa A. Swain collection contains a christening gown and an infant garment hand-stitched by Louisa Swain; a woman's embroidered scarf; a silver teaspoon (engraved LS to MC); a china saucer which Louisa Swain carried with her to the west; a photograph of Louisa Swain (circa 1865); a newspaper clipping about Louisa Swain titled "Taming the Wild West" (circa 1950); and correspondence describing the donation of the materials to the University of Wyoming.
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.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Alternative Forms Available
Existence and Location of CopiesDigital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at https://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~47~47.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere are no known other archival collections created by Louisa A. Swain at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationThe material was received from Edna C. Evans, great-granddaughter of Louisa Swain, in May 1960.
Processing Note
Processing InformationThe collection was processed by D. Claudia Thompson in October 2006 and revised by D. Claudia Thompson in July 2019.
Location of Originals
Location of OriginalsArtifacts are on extended loan for an indefinite period to the Wyoming Women's History House in Laramie, Wyoming.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Women--Suffrage--Wyoming
- Women--United States--19th century
Geographical Names
- Wyoming--Politics and government
- Wyoming--To 1889
Form or Genre Terms
- Artifacts
Processed by D. Claudia Thompson
2006
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
