Tintype Portraits at the Wyoming Territorial Prison

Tintype Photography and the Frontier Era

Tintype photography emerged in the mid-1800s and quickly became the most accessible form of portraiture on the American frontier. Soldiers, settlers, outlaws, and families alike sat for tintypes—often inside or near the very institutions that shaped territorial life.

Creating tintype portraits at the Wyoming Territorial Prison brought history full circle. Guests experienced the slow, hands-on photographic process while standing in a place that once housed some of the most infamous figures of the Old West. Each finished portrait served as a tangible connection to Wyoming’s frontier past.

Interesting Facts About the Wyoming Territorial Prison

• Opened in 1872: The Wyoming Territorial Prison began housing inmates just three years after Wyoming became a U.S. territory.
• Home to Notorious Prisoners: The prison famously held outlaw Butch Cassidy, who served time here in the 1890s.
• Built by Hand: Much of the prison was constructed using local sandstone, quarried and shaped by hand, reflecting the rugged determination of the frontier era.
• Short-Lived as a Prison: The facility closed as an active prison in 1903, after only about 30 years of use.
• Now a Historic Site: Today, the prison is preserved as a museum, offering tours, exhibits, and special events that interpret Wyoming’s territorial and statehood history.

How Wyoming Became a State

Wyoming’s path to statehood is one of the most distinctive in American history. Established as a U.S. territory in 1868, Wyoming quickly earned a reputation for independence and progressive ideals.

In 1869, Wyoming Territory became the first government in the world to grant women the right to vote—an achievement that would later help secure its place in the Union. When Congress questioned this policy during statehood debates, Wyoming famously refused to rescind it.

On July 10, 1890, Wyoming was officially admitted to the United States as the 44th state, proudly retaining women’s suffrage and earning the nickname “The Equality State.”

Celebrating Statehood Day Through Living History

Hosting tintype portraits at the Wyoming Territorial Prison for Statehood Day transformed history into a lived experience. Rather than simply observing artifacts, visitors became part of the story—posing for a photographic process that pioneers and prisoners alike would have recognized.

Each tintype portrait created that day became a lasting keepsake, honoring Wyoming’s frontier roots while celebrating the enduring spirit that led to statehood.