Autry National Center

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The Cowboy

GENERAL INFO

Location/Dates:

Museum of the American West at Griffith Park
Ongoing Exhibit

This gallery details the evolution of the cowboy from the open range era on the Texas grasslands through the modern ranching period of the late twentieth century. As the most iconic image of the American West, the cowboy represents the fusion of Anglo and Spanish colonial traditions within the region and the gallery presents different traditions from the southwestern vaquero to the northern cowboy. In addition, the gallery contrasts the different forums of "cowboying" including the sport of rodeo and the working ranch. Highlighted in this gallery are the tools which developed with specific reference to the cowboy trade including an array of beautifully crafted saddles and bridles.