Name three images ingrained on the American landscape. Apple pie, baseball and cowboys are among the top.
For over half a century the museum has increased in scope, space and renown. Like a western sky its size is huge and encompasses a wealth of artifacts, artwork, and informational resources.
In case you are under the illusion John Wayne types were the original cow punchers, the American Cowboy Gallery heralds the heritage starting with Spanish vaqueros and moves the visitor through the world of the working cowboy where attire like wide brimmed hats were as important as the spur at the end of the boot. It is also a place to admire those who names and adventures were missed in most history books – like women and blacks.
If there is one name to know from the heyday of mid to late 19th century West - it is Charles Goodnight.
His real life exploits became the fodder for movies and books like “Lonesome Dove” and “The Searchers”. One of his more enduring contributions was creating a chuck wagon and allowing a kitchen of the trail to follow the herds. Here mannequins and audiovisuals bring the hard scrapple life of a cattle trail to life for modern day visitors.
Many a cowpoke’s reading skills might have been lax –but the ability to read a brand or ear marking was supreme. Test your own skills with the informative displays.
Rodeo is the uniquely western sport with fans worldwide. The History of Rodeo; Women in Rodeo; Trick Riders, Fancy Ropers and Clowns; Trophies and Regalia; The Rodeo Historical Society; and The Main Events are the six themed areas in the American Rodeo Gallery. Catch the excitement on October 19-21st as 2007’s honorees are inducted.
Charles Marion Russell and Frederic Remington remain two of the most respected Western artists. Back before reality television painters filled canvases with the west’s vastness as sculptors carved images into wood and marble. Not content to rest on the past – the museum continues to update annually through its Prix de West Invitational Exhibition.
Did you grow up wishing you could ride the range?
Little buckaroos today have great fun at the exhibit where costumes, props and music make imaginations soar.
One cannot learn of cowboys and not understand role of the Native American. The diversity of tribes, the richness of traditions and the incredible link between human and nature all are heralded here. The past meets the future as one can see through craft displays of Navajo blankets to modern day church stick lighters.
With over a dozen galleries, one of the favorites remains the Western Performers Gallery. From the late 19th century to today a mythical west has always entertained. Revel in the talents of people like Buffalo Bill Cody, John Ford, James Stewart and singing cowboys like Gene Autry.
Some say the West is being paved over. It is not a new idea that the West of our imagination is disappearing.
The stunning plaster statue “End of the Trail” by James Earle Fraser depicts a lone and forlorn figure on his tired mount and aptly describes without words the thoughts of many.
The statue is now over 90 years old, and continues to inspire – just like the American West and the cowboy.
For more information see: www.nationalcowboymuseum.org
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