Would you like to see and explore the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame? You can no matter where you live, with their online digital tours.
Three tours are offered:
- 10 Must See Objects,
- Hitting the Mark: Cowgirls and Wild West Shows Gallery,
- and It’s Never Just a Horse.
Before starting a tour, take a few minutes to listen to the introduction. Click on the play button on the home page and you’ll hear instructions on how to get more out of the tour experience.
Choose a tour by clicking on one of the photos. Once you’re on the tour page click on an image you’re interested in to learn more.
Each item includes an audio message. If you click on the audio icon first, you can listen as you scroll through the series of photos. Some of the Listen and learn more boxes feature a series of four horizontal lines on the right. If you click on these you’ll be taken to a written transcript of the audio recording.
The 10 Must See Objects tour has a wide variety of items from Annie Oakley’s belt (that she made herself), to a Game of Thrones Saddle (used by Kit Harrington, who portrayed Jon Snow), to precise recreations of a Crow Woman’s Horse Trappings.
The Hitting the Mark: Cowgirls and Wild West Shows tour demonstrates the historical significance of the cowgirls who performed in the Wild West shows from the 1880s to early 20th century. This tour features six items. Four of the items are the same as in the 10 Must See Objects tour. The two new items are an Annie Oakley Letter written to her brother-in-law in 1924 (including the letter transcription) and Lulu Bell Parr’s beaded cuffs. Lulu Bell Parr was one of the most entertaining and flamboyant of the early Wild West Show cowgirls.
The It’s Never Just a Horse exhibition features five thematic “islands”: Ranching, Competing, Healing, Business and Inspiring. This tour looks at eleven items and women, five of which also appear in the 10 Objects tour. You’ll learn about Stacy Westfall and her ride at the 2006 All American Quarter Horse Congress Freestyle competition that created a national sensation. Artist Veryl Goodnight describes and explains the themes and ideas behind her sculpture Passing Times.