The inspiration to show students the progression of the University of Wyoming Union transformed Gallery 234 into a yearbook students can walk through, said the Wyoming Union Marketing Coordinator.
As the Wyoming Union celebrates its 75th this month, many activities are happening around the campus building, including the basement gallery and exhibitions showcasing pictures of days gone by in the Union.
“You can see that in the 40’s, in the ballroom there was billiard room where you can imagine that it was so quiet,” said Wyoming Union Marketing Coordinator Hannah McNamee. “Then just last year, we had a Hoodie Allen concert up there.”
The gray scale pictures hanging on the walls of the gallery mostly came from old yearbooks, said McNamee. There is also a reel-to-reel player in working condition displayed with the exhibit on loan from Wyoming Public Media.
A notebook including stories from alumni about their memories in the Union and UW is also on display.
“We weren’t sure if any stories would be submitted or not,” said Wyoming Union Associate Director Kim Zafft. “Some of them actually turned out to be quite funny and interesting.”
Zafft, said that the gallery was decided upon when student tenants got together to discuss how to celebrate the anniversary. She said these student tenants were organizations that are housed in the Union.
“We really were excited about embracing our history,” said Zafft. “We want to celebrate the old unique aspects the Union used to have.”
Part of the celebration of the Union’s anniversary will include events on Wednesdays which incorporate parts of the building’s past. On those nights, there will be trivia contests about Union history, where t-shirts, scarves and other prizes will be awarded. Answers to trivia can actually be found in the gallery exhibition.
From a miniature hospital, fountain room, and a barbershop to what is seen now, the Union has progressed over its 75 years of existence.
