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Share Your Story

Share Your Story is about Your White Grass Story(s) whether you are a former dude or wrangler, volunteer, rehabilitation specialist, special friend to the ranch, preservation workshop instructor, trainee, historian, student or interested person.

Share Your Story documents how the dude ranch experience changed the lives of many individuals and families and it seeks to document White Grass evolving into a National Park Service Training Center teaching historical preservation skills to professionals and students from across the country.

But don’t take our word, read an invitation to Share Your Story from Cynthia Galey Peck who grew up on the ranch with her parents, Frank and Inga Galey, starting in the 1940’s.

“I invite all to share your White Grass stories whether it involves life changes, working, a dude experience, fund raising campaign or rehabilitation and training stories. (It is) a way to share and contribute to the history of White Grass Ranch (and) fulfills a desire of former Dudes and Wranglers who wanted their ranch stories and history collected, preserved and available for the future.

Your story(s) will be added to the many White Grass stories collected between 2010-2014 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation who granted permission for 75+ stories to be posted below. (Your) pictures are welcome on the site also.

I am delighted that White Grass’s story and history is ongoing, humans are using this special spot, animals still roam the area and natural processes continue. May all who come to White Grass enjoy this special place.” -Cynthia Galey Peck

Please click on the names below to read their stories, or use the search bar above to look for an individual or topic of interest, e.g., person’s name, pack trips, cabin girls.

The stories are made available here for educational and research purposes only. Commercial use is prohibited. Requests for reproduction of these materials must be submitted at: whitegrass@jacksonholehistory.org

Blaise Davi 7.4.2019

Bio: 42 years working experience in historic preservation as a mason, woodcrafter, manager and trainer for the National Park Service. Descriptor: Reflections on White Grass Past and Present. Blaise’s Story: It’s been more than 15 years since I first heard about White Grass Ranch and the vision to establish it as a National Park Training center […]

Roger Butterbaugh 7.1.2019

Bio: Coordinator of the White Grass Heritage Project since inception in 2013, former White Grass seasonal caretaker 2011-2018, continuing volunteer for National Park Service. Descriptor: Ranch caretaker, the White Grass Heritage Project, documenting history through Share Your Story. Roger’s Story: As resident caretaker at White Grass, I was exposed to the depth of the White Grass […]

Cynthia Galey Peck 1.5.2019

Bio: Daughter of Frank and Inge Galey grew up on the ranch, 1940s to mid 1960s. Descriptor: A tribute to Beth Woodin and Rachel Trahern following there passing.  Both were prominent figures to Cindy and to the history of the ranch.   Cynthia’s Story: I am shaken by the recent loss of Beth Thomas Woodin (2018) and Rachel Trahern (2017).  It is […]

Cynthia Galey Peck 1.4.2019

Bio: Daughter of Frank and Inge Galey grew up on the ranch, 1940’s to mid 1960’s. Descriptor: An invitation to post stories about your experiences at the ranch. Cynthia’s Story: Change is the only constant, nothing remains the same. White Grass is believed to be a meeting place of the native tribes who came to hunt; they named it White […]

Rachel Trahern 9.5.2014

Bio: Housekeeper and Manager 1953-65. Descriptor: Coming from England, opening the ranch in the spring, the Sears and Roebuck Catalogue, ranch operations, fall hunting camp and closing the ranch in the fall. Written November 1, 2010 as a post for Share Your Story on the National Trust for Historical Preservation’s web site; released at the White Grass […]

Wendy Mansson Olson 7.16.2014

Bio: Dude 1983-85. Descriptor: My mother and I at the ranch – a special time. Wendy’s Story:  I grew up in a family of five- my two brothers, two parents and me. We did a lot as a family- traveled as a
pack. So branching off with just my mom for an adventure was a huge treat for me. […]

Louisa Sandvig 7.16.2014

Bio: Dude 1983-85. Descriptor: A tribute to White Grass and Frank Galey. Louisa’s Story: When I was 10 years old, I went to the A Bar A Ranch in Encampment, WY with a family from Philadelphia. When my daughter, Wendy, turned 10, the bells went off and I said, “it’s time to go to Wyoming!” We […]

Carlos Sanchis 5.24.2014

Bio: Dude, 1981. Descriptor: Two YouTube videos about the ranch. Carlos’ Story: I was a guest at the White Grass Ranch from June 7 to 11, 1981. I enjoyed my stay and the way the Galeys and the ranch crew treated all of us, guests. It was a wonderful experience that I’ve treasured since then. I’ve […]

Sharon Mure 3.20.2014

Bio: Dude and Staff 1970’s-early 80’s. Descriptor: The ranch changed my life, Frank and Nona’s influence, and now I’m a cowgirl. Sharon’s Story: I am shaken by the recent loss of Beth Thomas Woodin (2018) and Rachel Trahern (2017).  It is hard to express the deep meaning I have for each of them. Being at White Grass was […]