Explore the stories of the cowgirls who shaped the American West through this Fort Worth attraction’s galleries including the Rotunda and Hall of Fame that honors nearly 200 Honorees who pushed frontiers in their own individual way. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame also houses the Cowgirl Shop where you can find items unique to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the American West.
Galleries
Rotunda and Hall of Fame
The stories of the 200 Honorees, each with her name and induction date emblazoned on a medallion and encased in an etched-glass star, will start to unfold before your eyes as you view photos and static displays and watch videos about the fascinating women from the mid-1800s to the present in the Rotunda and Hall of Fame. Start your time in the Rotunda and Hall of Fame in Spirit of the Cowgirl Theater. Here you’ll find an eight-minute presentation, narrated by singer and actor Michael Martin Murphey, that will orient you with women of the American West from the rodeo stars to the ranch women. Then, step into the Hall of Fame where one Honoree from each of the Fort Worth Cowgirl Museum’s categories is featured on a rotating basis. The Honorees are not just rodeo queens, but an eclectic group of champions and competitive performers, ranchers, entertainers, artists, writers, trailblazers and pioneers.
Into the Arena
Discover all the action of America’s champion cowgirls as you listen to first-hand accounts of life in the arena from great rides and daring deeds, to the difficulties of being on the road. In the Greatest Rides exhibit you can enjoy the thrill of the arena events in sight and sound. Explore an array of rodeo memorabilia spanning a range of styles and time periods. Delight in dazzling outfits as unique as the cowgirls who wore them in Our Arena Style. Learn about life on the rodeo circuit is an interactive computer exhibit featuring one-on-one interviews with rodeo announcer Pam Minick, barrel racer Kappy Allen and other famous cowgirls. Experience what it is like to ride a bronc as you saddle up on the museum’s life-size bronc modified from training bulls used by rodeo riders.
Kinship with the Land
Kinship with the Land explores the cowgirl’s beginnings. Meet early ranch women who would eventually be called cowgirls and women who carry on today’s complex business of ranching. At the center of the Kinship with the Land gallery is a saddle display surrounded by cases containing gear and ranching artifacts.
Claiming the Spotlight
Learn about Hollywood cowgirls like Dale Evans, Barbara Stanwyck and Patsy Montana. In the Claiming the Spotlight gallery these stars are honored with larger-than-life images and a Nudie Cohen-designed saddle surrounded by clothing, artifacts, movie posters, album covers, advertisements and memorabilia that are reminiscent of the cowgirl culture and the multiple roles these women played. Visit Claiming the Spotlight’s velvet-draped theater featuring a touching, yet humorous film that highlights all kinds of Hollywood cowgirls from gun-toting dames to damsels in distress. Other highlights in the Claiming Spotlight gallery include a 1950s-era television that features clips from shows such as “Annie Oakley” and “The Roy Rogers Show,” jukeboxes that play country western tunes by artists such as Patsy Cline and Reba McEntire and artifact cases that display colorful, yet somewhat cliché western tales of cowgirl adventures as well as other forms of popular fiction.
Museum Exterior
From wild-rose finials and bas-relief sculpture panels to a Richard Hass mural and hand-carved panels, the exterior style of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is pure cowgirl. In front of the museum entrance the High Desert Princess, a sculpture depicting a cowgirl and her horse, created by renowned artist Mehl Lawson will greet you. Additional works include artist Richard Haas’ architectural artwork brought to life in a dramatic mural where five cowgirls on horseback, in full gallop, appear to run straight at the viewer and six bas-relief sculptures on the museum’s upper façade by sculptor Janice Hart Melito.
Shopping at the Museum Store
As the official gift shop of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, the Cowgirl Shop is an extended museum experience. T-shirts, original jewelry, accessories and home décor unique to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the American West are available to purchase. Be sure to check out the Cowgirl Shop’s Honoree section before you leave featuring products created specifically by women honored in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
- Complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Photography is permitted in the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Lobby and Cowgirl Shop only.