Museum of Western Art (Kerrville, Texas) facts for kids

The Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas, is a special art museum. It shows amazing paintings and sculptures by artists who capture the spirit of the American West. These artists follow in the footsteps of famous artists like Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. Besides its art, the museum has a large library about the West. It also has a fun "Journey West" gallery just for kids! The museum's motto is "Where the Legend Lives."

Discovering the Museum's Story

The Museum of Western Art first opened its doors on April 23, 1983. Back then, it was called the Cowboy Artists of America Museum. It was meant to be the main place for the Cowboy Artists of America group. A famous architect named O'Neil Ford designed the building. He was known for his Southwestern style of building.

In 2004, a new part was added, called the Masel S. Quinn Pavilion. This space is used for many educational programs. Later, the museum and the Cowboy Artists group went their separate ways. The museum then changed its name a few times. In 2003, it became "The Museum of Western Art," which is its name today.

What You'll See at the Museum

The museum building looks like an old Spanish ranch house. It has beautiful gardens with large Western sculptures. Inside, there's about 14,000 square feet of space. This space holds a wonderful collection of paintings and sculptures. All the art is by famous Western artists, both from the past and today.

The museum has special ceilings called boveda ceilings. The floors are made of mesquite wood and Saltillo tiles. These unique features, along with many Western items and valuable art, make a big impression. You can explore three indoor galleries. There's also a big library about the American West. Don't forget the "Journey West" gallery, which is just for kids! The museum also has a gift shop. Outside, there's a pavilion used for events. These include weddings, parties, and educational classes.

Awards and Special Recognition

The Museum of Western Art has received many honors. True West Magazine has named it one of the best Western art museums in the U.S. This happened in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Readers of The Kerrville Daily Times also voted it the Top Attraction in Kerrville for 2021.

Visiting the Museum

The museum is easy to find, about five miles off I-10, exit 508. It's about an hour's drive northwest of San Antonio. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday. You can visit between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can find the admission prices on their website, www.museumofwesternart.com. If you are current or retired military, your visit is free! Just show your military ID.

Images for kids

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  The grounds of The Museum of Western Art in Kerrville Texas.

See also

• Museums in Texas
• Museums in Central Texas