Wooly history on display

The Little Snake River Museum in Savery, Wyoming is requesting people not to be sheepish about gathering as they hold the grand opening of a new museum display.

Thanks to donations from John and Cathy MacPherson, the museum will be revealing the new William “Billy” MacPherson Sheep Center next week. According to a press release from the Little Snake River Museum, there will be several speakers during the event along with music and other demonstrations. The day after the grand opening, a vehicle trek hosted by the museum will take participants to the Divide Sheep Camp.

William “Billy” MacPherson was the father of John MacPherson and was born on March 9, 1892 in Scotland. Billy immigrated to the United States, passing through Ellis Island on May 8, 1911, with $25 in his pocket. His first job was on the Ellis Ranch north of Medicine Bow. On May 19, 1914 he declared his intention for citizenship.

In 1917, Billy was drafted into World War I and sent to Fort Camp Lee, Virginia 3rd Company Veterinarian Training School. He became a United States citizen while on board a ship being transported to France. Billy was stationed in France and was assigned to the 9th Veterinarian Hospital due to the large number of horses used in World War I and his agriculture background.

The grand opening of the William “Billy” MacPherson Sheep Center is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 15 with a barbecue. The trek to Divide Sheep Camp will begin at 8:30 a.m. on August 16 and will include a tour of sheep trails, corrals and sheepherder tree art.

For more information, visit the Little Snake River Museum Facebook page or call 307-383-7262.