The icons of the West, like the Duke and the American cowboy, are among the featured exhibits in the best museums of the American West, and they are being joined by new cultural characters including Hank the Cowdog. That loveable pup-the literary creation of West Texas rancher and writer John Erickson-has his own exhibit designed to educate kids and adults about the importance of ranching.
In addition to new exhibitions and even entirely new or expanded facilities, museums are making their collections accessible through multimedia and online exhibits, so it is possible to experience and learn about the art, artifacts, culture, and stories of various institutions while remaining at home.
But trust us, it is so much better to get on the road and visit in person these great displays of our Western heritage.
1. NATIONAL COWBOY AND WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM
(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK)
"Colter's Hell: Yellowstone Park at 150" is a special exhibit at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum this year. It features art from the Cowboy Museum collection as well as items borrowed from other institutions including the Gilcrease Museum. On National Root Beer Float Day (August 6), kids took over the Cowboy for their own exploration of Yellowstone, looking for animals in the artwork during a scavenger hunt, and seeing a geyser in action. Among the exhibit's opening late this year and on into 2023 are "Looking into the Windows of the West, "Art of the Northwest Coast" and "Sombreros Texanas Bosses of the Plains: Cowboy Hats from the Permanent Collection NationalCowboy Museum.org
2. WESTERN SPIRIT: SCOTTSDALE'S MUSEUM OF THE WEST
(SCOTTSDALE, AZ)
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FIREARMS COLT WALKER 47
THE LEGENDARY HANDGUN THAT REALLY WON THE WEST
HERITAGE TRAVE
THE AMERICAN WEST IN ALL ITS GLORY OUR ANNUAL FAVORITES LIST CELEBRATES DESTINATIONS ACROSS THE WESTERN UNITED STATES.
Wild Turkey, and Not the Drinkin' Kind
The actual bird was a favorite of pioneers.
THE PASSION PROJECTS OF THE MODERN WESTERN
A YEAR OF UNDERRATED EXCELLENCE
WESTERN BOOKS THEN AND NOW
THE STATE OF WESTERN HISTORY AND FICTION PUBLISHING IN 2024 IS ONE OF GRIT AND DETERMINATION.
SAMUEL WALKER VALIANT WARRIOR
While a prisoner at the castle of Perote, Walker was put to work raising a flagpole. At the bottom of the hole, Walker placed a Yankee dime, vowing to someday come back and retrieve it, at the same time exacting revenge on his Mexican captors. In the summer of 1847, when Walker's mounted riflemen returned and routed Santa Anna's guerillas, the young captain kept his promise and got his dime back.
THE BATTLE OF CENTRALIA
ON September 27, 1864, Bloody Bill Anderson and about 80 men took over the small railroad village of Centralia, looting stores and discovering a barrel of whiskey that they hauled out into the street. Wild enough when sober, they soon were roaring drunk.
THE MAN WHO SHOOTS THE WEST
Jay Dusard is a living American photographer who has made Arizona his home for over 60 years, seeing it first in 1960 on a visit, moving here for good in 1963.
A TRUE WESTERNER INDEED PHIL SPANGENBERGER 1940-2024
Spangenberger had Nevada trained to bow by the legendary horse trainer, Glenn Randall, who trained Roy Rogers' Trigger, Gene Autry's Champion, Rex Allen's Koko and the Ben Hur chariot horses, among other great equines.
Where Did the Loot Go? - This is one of those find the money stories. And it's one that has attracted treasure hunters for more than 150 years.
Whatever happened to the $97,000 from the Reno Gang's last heist? Up to a dozen members of the Reno Gang stopped a Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis train at a watering station in southern Indiana. The outlaws had prior intelligence about its main load: express car safes held about $97,000 in government bonds and notes. In the process of the job, one of the crew was killed and two others hurt. The gang made a clean getaway with the loot.
