Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum facts for kids
| Established | 1967 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | December 12, 2009 |
| Location | Branson, Missouri |
| Type | Western and American Indian |
The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum was a popular attraction that honored the careers of two famous American entertainers, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. They were big stars in radio shows, movies, and on television, especially in Westerns. The museum was open from 1967 until it closed in 2009. Over the years, it was located in three different cities.
Contents
Why the Museum Was Created
The idea for the museum came from Roy Rogers himself. In 1938, he visited a museum for another famous cowboy, Will Rogers (no relation). Roy noticed it didn't have many personal items. He decided then to start saving his own costumes, props, and other special belongings from his career.
When he retired in the 1960s, he opened the museum to share his collection with fans. Two of the most beloved and unique exhibits were his famous horse, Trigger, and his German Shepherd, Bullet. Both animals were preserved using taxidermy after they passed away, so visitors could see them up close.
The Museum on the Move
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The museum first opened in Apple Valley, California. It was a great spot for fans to visit and remember the famous couple.
In 1976, the museum moved to the nearby city of Victorville, California. It stayed there for 27 years and became a well-known landmark in the area.
After Roy Rogers passed away in 1998 and Dale Evans in 2001, the museum moved one last time. In 2003, it relocated to Branson, Missouri, a city famous for its entertainment shows. The museum remained in Branson for six years.
Closing and Auction
By 2009, it became difficult to keep the museum running, and the family made the tough decision to close it. The doors were shut for the last time on December 12, 2009.
What Happened to the Collection?
In July 2010, most of the museum's collection was sold at a large auction. The sale raised $2.9 million.
- Trigger and Bullet: The famous horse and dog were bought by a TV network from Nebraska called RFD-TV. They wanted to make sure these important pieces of history were preserved.
- Historical Items: The Autry National Center, another museum about the American West, bought many important artifacts. These included old newspaper clippings, music sheets, and memorabilia from The Roy Rogers Show. They also got the special plastic saddle Roy used on Trigger.
- Roy's Famous Car: One of the most exciting items sold was Roy's 1964 Pontiac Bonneville. It sold for $254,500. The car was decorated by the famous tailor Nudie Cohn. He covered it with silver dollars, chrome-plated pistols, and tiny horse figures. Many of these decorations were also functional parts of the car, like the door handles and switches.
