Freshwater bivalves are a diverse group that perform many ecosystem services, and over 70% of North America’s 300 freshwater mussel species are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. In addition to conservation concerns, this group is underrepresented in basic life history studies compared to less cryptic species. Little is known about the historic distribution or population size of any of the 7 extant species of freshwater mussels in Wyoming, making it difficult to put modern population trends into context. The state of Wyoming houses thousands of bivalve shells in an archaeology record, which can be a valuable resource in assessing the historic distribution of freshwater mussel species in lieu of historic studies. Bivalve shells housed at the Frision Institute at the University of Wyoming were sorted to find identifiable shells. Shells with intact diagnostic features were identified, and, where possible, growth rates, age structures, and distributions were collected and compared to modern populations. Such comparisons allow us to assess long-term changes in population characteristics and assess the degree to which the growth of modern freshwater mussels differs from the pre-settlement. Are all extant species native to Wyoming’s watersheds or were they introduced by human activity? We have thus far found 132 identifiable shells. The species we have identified were found at sites near the same watersheds where those species exist today. The presence of Western pearlshell (Margaritifera falcata) in Sweetwater and Sublette counties suggests that this species may be native to the Green River, which is a long-standing uncertainty. We have also discovered one specimen of Mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula), a species currently found in Eastern South Dakota and Nebraska, which has never been observed in Wyoming. Comparing information from molluscs in archeology collections allow us to frame current distributions and place longer-term population trends into context to inform management plans.