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Tuesday, May 10, 2022

The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas












 Eric & I arrive at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame.

Annie Oakley is the most famous Cowgirl in the United States.  Born Phoebe Ann Moses in 1860 in Ohio, Annie knew hard times at an early age.  Her father died when she was 6 years old,  Her mother remarried and Annie's stepfather died, leaving the family destitute.  While in foster care Annie learned to hunt.  At 8 years old Annie started selling what she killed to restaurants to support her family.  She married Frank Butler in 1876.

In 1885 Annie Oakley tried out for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, and fame followed...












                           Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show toured Europe eight times from 1887 to 1904





A photo of Annie

This is one of the many
promotional pictures
of her.














Annie in front of her tent in
England in 1889







Annie at a Show at Ambrose
Park Brooklyn, NY in 1894.

Annie's wedding ring is
 seen in this photo.



shooting in glass balls 1894.

Husband, Frank, is tossing
 the balls for her.







Annie is wearing her
many shooting medals 
in this 1898 poster.




Newspapers falsely published stories of Annie's arrest for theft in Chicago to support her cocaine habit in 1903.   Annie sued Hearst Newspapers and 54 other newspapers for libel.  She won or settled with 55 of the 54 newspapers.  

Annie continued to tour with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show until 1904.  After leaving Buffalo Bill's show, she toured with The Young Buffalo Show until 1913, when she and husband, Frank, retired.




A photo 1915 photo of Annie









Annie died in Greenville, Ohio on November 3, 1926.

Annie Oakley was one of many famous Cowgirls in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Here are a few others...





Lillian Smith was Annie Oakley's
rival sharpshooter with Buffalo
Bill's Wild West Show.

1886







May Lillie was known as the
Champion Girl Horseback
Shot of the West.

1908




Prairie Rose Henderson 
performed with the Irwin 

1919









Most of the early famous Cowgirls grew up on ranches and honed their skills.  They were athletes who became professional performers.  They were among the very few women in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s that earned their own income and traveled the world.  




Cowgirl's clothing was adapted
to suit their needs.

This mannequin is clothed in
a leather Split Skirt for
horseback riding.









Early Trophies were Mugs,
Goblets, Vase-like prizes.











Hustlin' Herford's All Girl Rodeo





Mary Burger competes in 
Barrel Racing in 2016.
.


Rodeo Winners now receive
Belt Buckles.

This one is from the 2012




My Cowgirl Tryout...

I got a "Thank you,"
but no job offer.



















grew up on the Lazy B
Ranch in Southeast
Arizona.




She & her brother Alan
wrote about growing
up on the Ranch.




Henrietta King & her husband,
Richard, ran the King Ranch.

She is known for her welcoming
home & philanthropy focused
on asisting ranch hands & the 
education of their children in
South Texas.




Sandy Collier was a champion
horsewoman & award winning
trainer.




animal behavior revolitionized
the livestock industry.

Claire Danes played her in








Temple's life story remarkable and unlikely.  I recommend seeing this movie or reading about her early life and education.  






This is a schematic of one of
Dr. Grandin's livestock
handling facilities.







Her goal is to use the animal's behavior to efficiently and humanely move and load livestock on its way to market.

I loved my visit to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.  I learned a lot about Cowgirls and their record breaking strides in live Western entertainment.  The Hall of Fame inducts women who have contributed to the Horse Culture, Education, Animal Behavior and Training, and the Law.

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