National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame facts for kids
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National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas
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| Established | 1975 |
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| Location | 1720 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
| Type | Hall of fame |
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas, is a special place that celebrates amazing women from the American West. It started in 1975 to honor women who showed incredible bravery and strength. This museum is full of cool exhibits, a research library, and a unique collection of old photos. Each year, new honorees are added to its Hall of Fame.
Contents
Discovering Cowgirl History
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame tells the stories of women from the American West. The museum first opened in 1975. It was in the basement of the Deaf Smith County Library in Hereford. In 1994, the museum moved to Fort Worth. Then, on June 9, 2002, it moved into its large, permanent home. This building is about 33,000 square feet (3,100 m2) (3,066 square meters) in Fort Worth's Cultural District.
By 2013, more than 200 women had been honored in the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. More women are added every year. These honorees come from many different areas. They include pioneers, artists, businesswomen, teachers, ranchers, and rodeo cowgirls. Some famous women in the Hall of Fame are Georgia O'Keeffe, Sacagawea, Annie Oakley, Dale Evans, Enid Justin, Temple Grandin, and Sandra Day O’Connor.
Building the Museum
Work on the museum building began on February 22, 2001. The 33,000 square feet (3,100 m2) building was designed by David M. Schwarz/Architectural Services, Inc. Linbeck Construction Company built the museum. Sundance Projects Group helped manage the project.
The designers had three main goals. First, they wanted the building to fit in with the area's history. Second, they wanted to create an exciting new home for the museum. Third, they planned for the museum to grow in the future. The museum is part of the Western Heritage Plaza. This area also includes the Cattle Raisers Museum and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The museum's style matches the nearby Will Rogers Memorial Center.
Cool Design Features
The outside of the museum is made of brick and stone. It has special terracotta decorations shaped like wild roses. A large painted mural by Richard Haas is on the outside. There are also carved panels that show scenes from cowgirl stories. These panels share messages like ‘East Meets West’ and ‘Saddle Your Own Horse’. They help tell the stories found inside the museum.
The inside of the museum is designed to help visitors easily explore. It also has spaces for events after hours. Besides offices, the building has three main gallery areas. There is also a theater, fun hands-on areas for kids, and a flexible exhibit space. You can find a research library, a catering area, and a gift shop too. A tall, 45-foot (13.7-meter) domed rotunda is a central spot. It holds the Hall of Fame honoree exhibits. Two grand staircases lead up to overlooks into the rotunda. They have cool metal railings with an art deco style. The floors are made of a special French limestone. The doors to the theater are made of stained walnut wood. You can see Western themes everywhere, like native flowers, horse heads, and the wild rose design.
Exciting Exhibits
The museum has many interesting areas to explore. These include the Spirit of the Cowgirl Theater and the Lifetiles murals. There is also the children's Discovery Corral and the Cowgirl Shop. A large gallery hosts changing exhibits.
The permanent galleries include:
- The Hall of Fame Honoree Gallery features one honoree from each Hall of Fame group. These groups are Champions and Competitive Performers, Ranchers (Stewards of Land and Livestock), Entertainers, Artists and Writers, and Trailblazers and Pioneers.
- "Into the Arena" shows women in rodeo and trick riding. It also highlights modern horsewomen like Belmont Stakes winning jockey Julie Krone. This area has interactive computer displays and rodeo items. You can see saddles, like Sheila Welch's cutting horse saddle and Julie Krone's racing saddle. In “Arena Style,” you can see rodeo outfits. A moving rack shows different outfits when you touch a screen. This tells the story of a rodeo star and her clothing. You can also try a fun interactive bronc riding experience. Visitors can ride a fake horse, like those used for training rodeo riders. Your "ride" can be recorded and made to look like an old-time rodeo video.
- "Kinship with the Land" explores ranching life. It shows historic gear like saddles and women's clothing, such as split skirts and pistols. There's also a Victorian riding outfit and a sidesaddle. This area has both display panels and video screens. Kids can enjoy an interactive exhibit where they can saddle a model Shetland pony. Other displays for children show kids' chaps, 4-H ribbons, and toys.
- "Claiming the Spotlight" looks at how cowgirls are shown in movies, TV, ads, and music. The gallery has old dime novels. It also features displays on entertainers who played cowgirls, like Barbara Stanwyck, Dale Evans, and Patsy Montana. There's an old-time theater with a film narrated by Katharine Ross. It talks about how cowgirls are shown in media. A TV area plays clips from 1950s TV shows. Jukeboxes play music by country and Western women performers. You can even pose for a movie poster and buy your picture at the gift shop!
The Rotating Exhibit Gallery has shown many different exhibits. Some past ones include: Donna Howell-Sickles: The Timeless Image of the Cowgirl; Georgia O'Keeffe and the Faraway: Nature and Image; Going to Texas: Five Centuries of Texas Maps; Paniolo: Cowboys and Cowgirls of the Hawaiian Frontier; Photographing Montana 1894-1928: The World of Evelyn Cameron; Ride: A Global Adventure; Texas Flags; The Cowgirl Who Became A Justice: Sandra Day O'Connor, Hard Twist: Western Ranch Women - Photographs by Barbara Van Cleve and No Glitz, No Glory.
Hall of Fame Honorees
The following people have been honored:
- Betty Kruse Accomazzo (1983)
- Anna Lee Aldred (1983)
- Mayisha Akbar (2019)
- Tillie Baldwin (2000)
- Eve Ball (1982)
- Mary Ellen (Dude) Barton (1984)
- "Texas Rose" Bascom (1981)
- Kathryn Binford (1976)
- Nancy Binford (1979)
- Faye Blackstone (1982)
- Reba Perry Blakely (1979)
- Bertha Blancett (1999)
- Faye Blesing (1978)
- Eulalia (Sister) Bourne (1996)
- Minnie Lou Bradley (2006)
- Kalyn Brooks (2007)
- Clara Brown (1997)
- Lindy Burch (1997)
- Mary Burger (2017)
- Mamie Sypert Burns (1981)
- Polly Burson (2002)
- Wanda Harper Bush (1978)
- Sarah "Sally" Buxkemper (2011)
- Elsa Spear Byron (1990)
- Sherry Wolfenbarger Cagan (2022)
- Ann Lowdon Call (2005)
- Sharon Camarillo (2006)
- Evelyn Cameron (2001)
- Nellie Cashman (2007)
- Jean Cates (2014)
- Willa Cather (1986)
- Sherry Cervi (2018)
- Pop Chalee (2021)
- Mildred Douglas Chrisman (1988)
- Bebe Mills Clements (1984)
- Patsy Cline (1994)
- Margaret (Peg) Coe (1982)
- Sandy Collier (2011)
- Ashley Collins (2017)
- Mary Jane Colter (2009)
- Nel Sweeten Cooper (1984)
- Gene Krieg Creed (1982)
- Sue Cunningham (2014)
- Kathy Daughn (2002)
- Gail Davis (2004)
- Linda Mitchell Davis (1995)
- Wantha Davis (2004)
- Bernice Dean (1986)
- Angie Debo (1985)
- Margaret McGinley Dickens (2017)
- Grace Ingalls Dow (1984)
- Jewel Frost Duncan (1976)
- Betty Dusek (2010)
- Gretel Ehrlich (2022)
- Dale Evans (1995)
- Mildred Farris (2012)
- Thena Mae Farr (1985)
- Deborah Copenhaver Fellows (2009)
- Francis (Flaxie) Fletcher (1983)
- Margaret Formby (1994)
- Terry Stuart Forst (2007)
- Rose Cambra Freitas (2006)
- Kay Gay (2010)
- Marie Gibson (2011)
- Laura Gilpin (1987)
- Ruby Gobble (1982)
- Glenna Goodacre (2003)
- Mary Ann (Molly) Goodnight (1991)
- Veryl Goodnight (2016)
- Temple Grandin (2010)
- Eleanor Green (2013)
- Marie Keen Gress (1997)
- Audrey O'Brien Griffin (2008)
- Connie Griffith (2004)
- Helen Kleberg Groves (1998)
- Lari Dee Guy (2021)
- Mamie Francis Hafley (1981)
- Sunny Hale (2012)
- Ann Secrest Hanson (2003)
- Margaret Pease Harper (1981)
- Pamela Harr (1981)
- Bonnie Gray Harris (1981)
- Marilyn Williams Harris (2016)
- Margie Roberts Hart (1987)
- Prairie Rose Henderson (2008)
- Alice Adams Holden (1983)
- Juanita Hackett Howell (1986)
- Donna Howell-Sickles (2007)
- Stella Cox Hughes (1988)
- Sabra Lee Humphrey (1981)
- Vaughn Krieg Huskey (1989)
- Margie Greenough Henson (1978)
- Caroline Lake Quiner Ingalls (1984)
- Mary Ingalls (1984)
- Charmayne James (1992)
- Shirley Lucas Jauregui (2014)
- Velma Bronn Johnston (2008)
- Jonnie Jonckowski (1991)
- Suzanne Norton Jones (1999)
- Martha Josey (1985)
- Enid Justin (1978)
- Frances Rosenthal Kallison (2016)
- Frances Kavanaugh (2014)
- Patricia E. Kelly (2015)
- Kathy Kennedy (1984)
- Arlene Kensinger (2002)
- Henrietta King (1982)
- Sheila Kirkpatrick (1992)
- Janell Kleberg (2019)
- Bobby Brooks Kramer (2000)
- Elaine Kramer (2005)
- Lavonna "Shorty" Koger (2021)
- Julie Krone (1999)
- Kathyrn Kusner (2021)
- Florence LaDue (2001)
- Miranda Lambert (2021)
- Rose Wilder Lane (1984)
- Mary Lou LeCompte (2011)
- Harriet (Bita) Lee (1996)
- Nita Brooks Lewallen (1997)
- Ann Lewis (1981)
- Mary Emma Manning Lillie "May Lillie" (2011)
- Rebecca Tyler Lockhart (2000)
- Tad Lucas (1978)
- Louise Massey Mabie (1982)
- Goldia Malone (1981)
- Wilma Mankiller (1994)
- Anne Windfohr Marion (2005)
- Anna Mebus Martin (2011)
- Maria Martinez (1998)
- Sallie Reynolds Matthews (1982)
- Gertrude Maxwell (1993)
- Billie McBride (1981)
- Bonnie McCarroll (2006)
- Reba McEntire (2017)
- Jacqueline Smith McEntire (2017)
- Vera McGinnis (1979)
- Caroline Lockhart (2018)
- Stacie Dieb McDavid (2019)
- Bernice Walsh McLaughlin (1977)
- Marlene Eddleman McRae (1995)
- Sherri Mell (2004)
- Augusta Metcalfe (1983)
- Mary Jo Milner (2004)
- Pam Minick (2000)
- Lilla Day Monroe (1982)
- Patsy Montana (1987)
- Esther Hobart Morris (2006)
- Dixie Reger Mosley (1982)
- Shelly Burmeister Mowery (1990)
- Terri Kelly Moyers (2015)
- Lucille Mulhall (1977)
- Jimmie Gibbs Munroe (1992)
- Camilla Naprous (2018)
- Pauline Nesbitt (2011)
- Mattie Goff Newcombe (1994)
- Sandra Day O'Connor (2002)
- Georgia O'Keeffe (1991)
- Annie Oakley (1984)
- Alice Greenough Orr (1975)
- Pat North Ommert (2016)
- Ollie Osborn (1982)
- May Owen (2014)
- Margaret Owens (1976)
- Mother Joseph Pariseau (1981)
- Cynthia Ann Parker (1998)
- Mary Parks (1979)
- Lulu Bell Parr (2005)
- Jane Pattie (2015)
- Hildred Goodwine Phillips (1989)
- Sue Pirtle (1981)
- Wilma Powell (2008)
- Florence Hughes Randolph (1994)
- Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff (1987)
- Heidi Redd (2022)
- Connie Douglas Reeves (1997)
- Lucyle Richards (1987)
- Mitzi Lucas Riley (1996)
- Cornelia Wadsworth Ritchie (2009)
- Joyce Gibson Roach (2010)
- Carol Rose (2001)
- Ruth Roach (1989)
- Sacagawea (1976)
- Gretchen Sammis (1986)
- Norma Sanders (1989)
- Mari Sandoz (1988)
- Dorothy Satterfield (1993)
- Dessie Sawyer (1981)
- Fern Sawyer (1976)
- Diane Scalese (2018)
- Barbra Schulte (2012)
- Doris Seibold (1985)
- Louise Serpa (1999)
- Mike Reid Settle (1977)
- Christina Alvarado Shanahan (2019)
- Reine Hafley Shelton (1983)
- Nancy Sheppard (1991)
- Lorraine Shoultz (1981)
- Georgie Sicking (1989)
- Blanche Altizer Smith (1976)
- Cathy A. Smith (2013)
- Elizabeth Boyle Smith (1988)
- Jo Ann Smith (2015)
- Velda Tindall Smith (2003)
- Betty Sims Solt (1990)
- Beverly Sparrowk (2008)
- Agnes Wright Spring (1983)
- Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns (1977)
- Fannie Sperry Steele (1978)
- Mollie Taylor Stevenson Jr. (2001)
- Mollie Taylor Stevenson, Sr. (2001)
- Hallie C. Stillwell (1992)
- Anne Stradling (1987)
- Carrie Ingalls Swanzey (1984)
- Anne Burnett Tandy (2002)
- Wilma Standard Tate (1985)
- Jerry Ann Portwood Taylor (1986)
- Ruth Thompson (1990)
- Elenor (Sissy) Thurman (1975)
- Angelika Trabert (2018)
- Marie Tyler (1988)
- Barbara Van Cleve (1995)
- Alice Van-Springsteen (1998)
- Sheila Varian (2003)
- Hope Varner (1988)
- Karen Vold (1978)
- Kirsten Vold (2022)
- Dora Waldrop (1979)
- Cindy Walker (1998)
- Mary Walker (2013)
- Hortense Sparks Ward (2010)
- Ruth Parton Webster (1988)
- Joan Wells (1989)
- Mary Nan West (1998)
- Stacy Westfall (2012)
- Vivian White (1985)
- Narcissa Whitman (1979)
- Laura Ingalls Wilder (1984)
- Eleanor McClintock Williams (1986)
- Ernestine Chesser Williams (1983)
- Lizzie E. Johnson Williams (2013)
- Eloise "Fox Hastings" Wilson (2011)
- Laura Wilson (2019)
- Nancy Bragg Witmer (1997)
- Mabel Strickland Woodward (1992)
- Sydna Yokley Woodyard (1977)
- Jackie Worthington (1975)
- Nellie Snyder Yost (1992)
- Isora DeRacy Young (1979)
- Kay Whittaker Young (2009)
- Florence Youree (1996)
- Jan Youren (1993)
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