The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
High Desert Princess
The American Horse Publications’ preconference tour started at The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. I signed up to learn more about this brave and self-reliant group of women and their horses. According to their website, “The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women of the West, and from around the world who have displayed extraordinary courage and pioneer spirit in their trailblazing efforts.”
The museum is in the Fort Worth Cultural District where we had the opportunity to visit museums. The building, designed by David M. Schwarz and beautiful inside and out, is bright and airy with interior lighting bringing the displays to life. Wild rose finials and bas-relief sculpture on the exterior evoke the cowgirl era.
Hermes Scarves
We viewed the It’s Never Just a Horse exhibition that included the walls of a stairwell hung with framed silk Hermes scarves. The grouping description tells us that the “16 scarves in this exhibition represent the various partnerships and interactions of the horse, the land, and people.” The colorful scenes show horses intertwined with the lives of people.
We saw all forms of tack from saddles and bridles to every kind of leather and silver ornament. Clothing, ornate belt buckles, tooled leather boots, hats, gloves, jackets and even a leather suitcase in the displays give visitors a vicarious tactile experience. The women depicted ranged from cowgirl to movie star to Olympic rider. Hall of Fame Honorees include pioneers, artists, writers, entertainers, humanitarians, businesswomen, educators, ranchers and rodeo cowgirls.
Adorned Horse
Leather Fly Guards
Surrounding the displays on the second floor, a movie on a continuous loop shows life-size horses gathering and running in an arena. This visual representation of the moving horse made it possible to imagine live cowgirls of the past.
In addition to the artifacts and educational displays, galleries show photographs and other works of art. The museum collection includes over 6000 modern and historic images. A library, archive, and oral history collection offer a research opportunity for those who want to know more. Appointments must be made to use these sources on site. The online Cultural District Library Consortium lists non-circulating items in its database. The museum preserves artifacts and photographs in a stable environment and in constant care. Find out more at cowgirl.net.
Courageous Young Cowgirls