Flag of Wyoming: The Design Contest That Made History
The Flag of Wyoming Has One of the Most Interesting Design Origins of Any State Flag — Here's the Full Story
Most state flags were designed by committees, commissioned from professional artists, or simply inherited from military regiments. The flag of Wyoming took a different path entirely — one that involved a statewide competition, a determined woman with an artistic vision, and the Daughters of the American Revolution stepping in to solve a problem that had lingered for decades.
This is the story of how Verna Keays, a resident of Buffalo, Wyoming, won a design contest in 1916 and created one of the most recognizable state flags in America. It's a narrative that touches on civic pride, women's contributions to public symbols, and the specific creative choices that turned a blank canvas into an enduring emblem. This is the story of the flag of Wyoming.
Wyoming's Flag Problem: A State Without a Symbol
By 1915, Wyoming had been a state for 25 years, yet it still lacked an official flag. While other states flew distinctive banners at national events and expositions, Wyoming had nothing to represent itself visually on the national stage. This absence was more than symbolic — it was practical. State delegations needed flags for parades, fairs, and official gatherings. Wyoming's representatives often had to improvise or go without.
The issue wasn't for lack of trying. Several informal attempts had been made to create a state flag, but none gained official traction. Wyoming's legislature simply hadn't prioritized the matter, and no consensus existed about what such a flag should look like.
Enter the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The DAR Steps In: A Design Competition for Wyoming
The Wyoming chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution decided to take matters into their own hands. In 1916, Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard, a prominent historian, lawyer, and professor at the University of Wyoming, spearheaded an effort to solicit flag designs through a formal competition.
The DAR announced the contest statewide, inviting Wyoming residents to submit their visions for a state flag. The parameters were straightforward: designs should represent Wyoming's character, history, and values. Beyond that, entrants had creative freedom.
The competition attracted submissions from across the state. Some designs featured mountains. Others incorporated cowboys, cattle, or mining imagery. A few tried to work in the state's famous geysers and natural wonders.
But one design stood apart.
Verna Keays: The Woman Behind the Winning Design
Verna Keays was not a professional artist or graphic designer. She was a civic-minded resident of Buffalo, Wyoming — a small town in the northern part of the state — who understood both Wyoming's identity and the power of visual simplicity.
Keays' design was bold in its restraint. Rather than cramming multiple Wyoming symbols into a busy composition, she chose a single, powerful image: the American bison. She rendered it as a white silhouette against a blue field, creating immediate visual impact. The blue represented the sky and mountains. The white bison stood for Wyoming's wildlife heritage and the frontier spirit.
But Keays didn't stop there. She bordered the blue field with white and red stripes — colors that echoed the American flag and reinforced Wyoming's place within the Union. And in a particularly clever move, she placed the Great Seal of Wyoming directly on the body of the bison, integrating the state's official emblem into the design without creating visual clutter.
The judges were unanimous. Keays' design won.
From Contest Winner to Official State Flag
Winning the contest was one thing. Getting the flag officially adopted was another.
Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard and the DAR presented Keays' design to the Wyoming Legislature in early 1917. The legislators debated the design's merits, discussed minor modifications, and ultimately voted to adopt it. On January 31, 1917, Wyoming Governor John B. Kendrick signed the bill into law, and Verna Keays' creation became the official flag of the state of Wyoming.
The timeline from contest announcement to official adoption was remarkably short — roughly a year. This suggests both the strength of Keays' design and the legislature's relief at finally having a viable option after years of inaction.
Interestingly, the flag was adopted with very specific statutory language. The law dictated exact proportions, color specifications, and the precise placement of the seal on the bison. The seal was to be "one-fifth the length of the flag" in diameter, ensuring consistent reproduction across different flag sizes.
The Creative Decisions That Made the Design Work
What made Keays' design so successful? Several factors stand out.
The choice of the bison was inspired. By 1916, the American bison had already become a symbol of the American West and wildlife conservation. Once numbering in the millions, bison had been hunted nearly to extinction in the late 19th century. Their survival and gradual recovery made them a potent symbol of resilience — perfectly aligned with Wyoming's frontier identity.
The silhouette approach was visually brilliant. Rather than attempting a detailed, realistic rendering of a bison (which would be difficult to reproduce at different scales), Keays used a clean white silhouette. This made the flag instantly recognizable from a distance and simple enough to manufacture consistently.
The integration of the state seal onto the bison was an elegant solution to a design challenge. Many state flags simply place a seal on a colored background, resulting in a static, seal-on-bedsheet look. Keays transformed the bison itself into a living frame for the seal, creating visual interest and movement.
The color palette was restrained and symbolic. Blue, white, and red connected the flag to American patriotism while allowing the bison to dominate visually. The blue field provided calm, open space that let the central image breathe.
What Happened to Verna Keays?
Remarkably little is known about Verna Keays beyond her flag design. Unlike some contest winners who parlayed their success into public recognition or professional opportunities, Keays largely returned to private life after her moment in the spotlight.
What we do know is that she created something lasting. Her design has flown over Wyoming's capitol, schools, and public buildings for over a century. It's been reproduced millions of times on everything from official documents to souvenirs. Her creative vision became the face of an entire state.
This speaks to something important about flag design: the creator often fades into the background while the symbol lives on. Keays didn't need ongoing fame. She gave Wyoming what it needed — a visual identity that worked.
Changes and Refinements Since 1917
The flag Verna Keays designed in 1916 is essentially the same flag Wyoming flies today, but there have been minor adjustments over the decades.
The most significant change came in 1921 when Wyoming revised its state seal. Since the seal appears on the flag, this meant the flag design was also technically modified, though the overall composition remained unchanged.
In subsequent decades, Wyoming's legislature clarified specifications about color shades, fabric types for official flags, and manufacturing standards. These weren't changes to Keays' design so much as refinements to ensure consistent reproduction.
The flag has remained remarkably stable — a testament to the strength of the original design. While some states have updated or completely redesigned their flags over the past century, Wyoming has stayed loyal to Keays' vision.
Why This Origin Story Matters
The story of how Wyoming got its flag matters for several reasons.
First, it highlights women's contributions to civic symbols at a time when women's public roles were still limited. Verna Keays won a competitive design contest and created an official state symbol — a significant accomplishment in 1916, just a year before Wyoming women would help lead the national push for the 19th Amendment.
Second, it demonstrates the power of design competitions as democratic processes. Rather than hiring an expensive artist or forming an exclusive committee, Wyoming opened the process to anyone with an idea. The result was a design that truly came from the people.
Third, it shows that great flag design doesn't require professional credentials — it requires understanding, vision, and restraint. Keays wasn't trained in heraldry or graphic design, but she understood what makes a flag work: simplicity, symbolism, and visual impact.
The Wyoming Flag Today
More than a century after Verna Keays sketched her winning design, the flag of Wyoming remains one of the most distinctive state flags in America. Unlike the many state flags that feature complex seals on blue backgrounds (often indistinguishable from one another at a distance), Wyoming's flag is instantly recognizable.
The white bison silhouette has become synonymous with Wyoming itself. It appears on state tourism materials, athletic uniforms, business logos, and countless other applications. Keays created more than a flag — she created a visual brand for an entire state.
For those who call Wyoming home, the flag carries particular meaning. It represents wide-open spaces, wildlife, frontier heritage, and a distinctive Western identity. Flying it is a statement of place and pride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did Verna Keays receive any prize money for winning the flag design contest?
A: Historical records about compensation for the contest are limited, but it appears to have been primarily a civic honor rather than a lucrative prize. The DAR's goal was to secure a flag design for Wyoming, and Keays' reward was seeing her creation adopted as the official state symbol.
Q: Has Wyoming ever considered changing its flag design?
A: Unlike some states that have debated or implemented flag redesigns, Wyoming has shown little interest in changing Keays' design. The flag remains popular and distinctive, and there's been no significant movement to alter it. Minor refinements to manufacturing specifications have occurred, but the core design has remained constant since 1917.
Q: Why did the DAR organize the flag design contest instead of the state government?
A: By 1916, Wyoming had gone 26 years without adopting an official flag despite being a state. The Daughters of the American Revolution, led by Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard, took initiative where the legislature had not. Civic organizations often played important roles in state symbol adoption during this era, particularly when government bodies were slow to act.
Q: Are there specific rules about how Wyoming's flag must be displayed?
A: Wyoming's flag follows standard U.S. flag etiquette when displayed alongside the American flag — it flies below or to the left of the national flag. The state has also codified specific manufacturing standards to ensure the flag is reproduced accurately, including exact color specifications and the precise size and placement of the seal on the bison.
If Verna Keays' story resonates with you — if you appreciate the history of how this distinctive design came to represent an entire state — you can explore Bags of Flags' collection of Wyoming flags in multiple sizes and materials, perfect for indoor display or outdoor flying.