From the orientation show in the museum’s Kenneth Banks Theater to its’ many galleries that chronicle the history of the American Quarter Horse and dip into the physiology of these impressive animals, horse lovers of all ages and visitors looking to experience a piece of the West will enjoy all the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum has to offer.
The Grand Hall
Showcasing the legends of American Quarter Horse history, the Grand Hall features the humans and the horses inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame who have paved the way for the future of the American Quarter Horse. An emblem depicting the American Quarter Horse will welcome you into the Grand Hall while bloodlines can be found carefully carved in the floor.
Kenneth Banks Theater
Make your way into the Kenneth Banks Theater to watch an introductory video that explores the origins of the quarter horse and why the breed is so treasured. The walls of the theater are primarily decorated with paintings by well-known Western artist Orren Mixer and showcase a variety of American Quarter Horses famous in the bloodlines of today’s champions.
Joni Hegel Education Gallery
The introduction to the American Quarter Horse continues in the Joni Hegel Education Gallery with a variety of interactive exhibits. Learn about the physiology of an American Quarter Horse with an X-ray-style exhibit. Discover the differences between English and Western saddles. In the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum’s Experienced Eye Theater, a video presentation explores the different disciplines of the American Quarter Horse with expert commentary of each event.
Timeline Exhibits
On the museum’s second floor, the Timeline Exhibits allow you to journey through news-worthy events that took place at the same time as the Hall of Fame inductees were influencing American Quarter Horse history. Artifacts, tack, photos and oral histories from Hall of Fame inductees and their friends and family bring the Timeline Exhibits to life.
Champion’s Gallery
Do not miss the Champion’s Gallery. Located at the threshold of the Hall of Fame Timeline Exhibit, the Champion’s Gallery is a multimedia area that lets you experience the American Quarter Horse World Championship Shows and American Quarter Horse racing action that made champions.
Reading Room
Sit and read comfortably in an elegant, western atmosphere. The Reading Room was designed to share the rich history of the West with its visitors and is made available upon request. It houses hundreds of books on the settlement of the western frontier, stories of the cowboys and Indians and the horses they rode, a full collection of American Quarter Horse Stud Books and bound copies of The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal and America’s Horse.
Located on-site is Quarter Horse Outfitters. Here you can shop for gifts, souvenirs and collectibles that celebrate the American Quarter Horse and the western lifestyle.
Travel Tips
- The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum not only features its’ permanent collections, but changing exhibits can also be found on display at the museum year-round.
- While photography is permitted for private, noncommercial use in galleries dedicated to the museum’s permanent collections, the use of flash is prohibited at all times in all galleries.