National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Oklahoma
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the heritage of the American West. Established in 1955, it houses over 28,000 Western and Native American artworks and artifacts, including the world's largest collections of rodeo photographs, barbed wire, saddlery, and early rodeo trophies. The museum features an extensive array of paintings by renowned artists such as Charles Marion Russell and Frederic Remington, alongside contemporary Western art showcased in the annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition. Visitors can explore diverse galleries including the American Cowboy Gallery, American Rodeo Gallery, Native American Gallery, and the Weitzenhoffer Gallery of Fine American Firearms. A highlight is Prosperity Junction, a 14,000-square-foot authentic turn-of-the-century Western prairie town offering immersive experiences. The museum also hosts the National Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Professional Bull Riders Heroes & Legends Hall of Fame. Interactive spaces like Liichokoshkomo’ provide hands-on learning for children, making the museum a comprehensive celebration of Western culture and history.
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Astuce: Plan your visit during the annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition in June to experience premier Western art sales. Purchase tickets in advance online to avoid queues. Check the museum's website for current gallery openings, as some exhibits like the American Rodeo Gallery may be temporarily closed for renovations. Consider visiting on weekdays for a quieter experience. Discounts may be available for members, seniors, and groups. Allow ample time to explore Prosperity Junction and the interactive children's area, Liichokoshkomo’.
Faits intéressants
- •The museum holds the world's most extensive collection of American rodeo photographs and early rodeo trophies.
- •It features over 2,000 works of Western art, including more than 200 pieces by artists Charles Marion Russell and Frederic Remington.
- •Prosperity Junction is a fully authentic turn-of-the-century Western prairie town recreated indoors, covering 14,000 square feet.
- •The museum hosts the annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition, a major event in Western American art.
- •Liichokoshkomo’, the interactive children's museum, means 'let’s play' in a Native language and offers engaging hands-on activities.
- •The museum awards the Bronze Wrangler annually to creators in Western literature, music, film, and television.
Histoire
The museum was founded in 1955 as the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum, inspired by Chester A.
Reynolds to honor the cowboy and Western heritage.
It underwent several name changes, becoming the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2000 after receiving full accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums.
Since its inception, it has expanded its collections and facilities, including the addition of Prosperity Junction and the establishment of the National Rodeo Hall of Fame.
The museum continues to honor contributors to Western history through awards such as the Chester A.
Reynolds Memorial Award.
Guide du lieu
William S. and Ann Atherton Art of the American West Gallery
This 15,000-square-foot gallery features landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and sculptures by 19th- and 20th-century Western artists, including over 200 works by Charles Marion Russell and Frederic Remington, as well as pieces by Albert Bierstadt and James Earle Fraser.
American Cowboy Gallery
A gallery dedicated to the life, traditions, and history of working cowboys and ranching in the American West, offering insights into cowboy culture and heritage.
American Rodeo Gallery
Designed to resemble a 1950s rodeo arena, this gallery explores America's native sport and features memorabilia and exhibits related to rodeo history and culture.
Joe Grandee Museum of the Frontier West Gallery
Exhibits over 4,500 artifacts that belonged to Western artist Joe Grandee, showcasing frontier life and art.
Native American Gallery
Focuses on the embellishments and cultural significance of everyday objects made by Western tribes, reflecting their beliefs and histories.
Weitzenhoffer Gallery of Fine American Firearms
Displays over 100 examples of firearms from notable manufacturers such as Colt, Remington, Smith & Wesson, and Winchester, illustrating the evolution of Western firearms.
Prosperity Junction
A 14,000-square-foot authentic turn-of-the-century Western prairie town where visitors can explore fully furnished buildings, listen to antique player pianos, and experience life as it was in the early 1900s.
Liichokoshkomo’ Children's Museum2020
An outdoor interactive museum space meaning 'let’s play', offering hands-on learning activities such as dodging a geyser, grinding corn, and loading a pioneer wagon, designed for children’s engagement with Western heritage.
Contact
Téléphone: (405) 478-2250
