Stetson Hats (2015) by National Cowboy & Western Heritage MuseumNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Not a Cowboy Without a Hat
Freshly creased or crumpled, the cowboy hat is recognized worldwide as a symbol of the American West.
Who were these cowboys?
The lifestyle attracted men of diverse backgrounds, including Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans, and recent European immigrants. The real story is much more interesting and colorful than the stereotypes created by fictional literature and film.
Grandest tack room in the West
The American Cowboy Gallery represents the most extensive exhibition on the working cowboy in the United States. Within the environment of a rustic ranch building, in-depth presentations showcase various elements of equipment, including saddles, bits, and spurs. Visitors believe this is a “mecca” for those interested in the real history of the “cowpuncher” and his authentic clothing and equipment.
The Diverse History of Cowboys (2015) by National Cowboy & Western Heritage MuseumNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
The Different Kinds of Cowboys
Not all Cowboys are the same. Many different people and cultures contributed to shaping the image of the cowboy in the West, with diverse roles and occupations.
The Cowboy Hat
Hat makers use steam to mold the hat body over a form, or hat block. Early hats came in black and natural fur colors, with white- and color-dyed selections appearing on the market only after 1920.
History of the Cowboy Hat (2015) by National Cowboy & Western Heritage MuseumNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Essential Work Wear
In the early days of the West, the cowboy hat was part of a cowboy's work gear. It kept the sun off his head and soaked up the sweat from a day's work on a ranch or a cattle drive. History of the Cowboy Hat, From the collection of: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Clothing of the Cowboy (2015) by National Cowboy & Western Heritage MuseumNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
What a Cowboy Wore
The traditional clothing of American cowboys reflected both their outdoor lifestyle and their cultural background.
Chaps
Horsemen in the West often needed extra protection for their legs when riding through dense brush or cactus and mesquite thorns.
Western Boots (1930) by Archer LaForceNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Boots
By the 1870s, tall, snug-fitting boots with high, underslung heels became the hallmark of Great Plains trail-drive cowboys.
Loop Seat Stock Saddle (1885) by F.H. MetzNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Saddles
By reputation, a cowboy never walks if he can ride. During the past 150 years, the shape of the western stock saddle has evolved in response to the needs of men who worked cattle from horseback.
Barbed Wire and Branding Irons (American Cowboy Gallery) (2015) by National Cowboy & Western Heritage MuseumNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Branding Irons & Barbed Wire
Branding irons and barbed wire are common tools of the working cowboy. The Museum houses the largest collection of barbed wire known, as well as more than five hundred unique branding irons.
History of Branding: Irons in the Fire - YouTube (2015) by National Cowboy & Western Heritage MuseumNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Managing the Herd
Branding cattle was one of the many jobs that had to be done by the working cowboy. History of Branding: Irons in the Fire - YouTube, From the collection of: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Come Find Your West at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Exhibit produced by the Staff of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
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