The Best Western History Museums

Whether it’s an iconic Western painting or a modern-day rodeo, a western history museum can be a place to relive the past and learn about the people who lived in that time. The best western museums focus on culture as well as preserving art and historic objects.

A popular American icon, the cowboy is a symbol of the United States Western culture. From humble ranch hands to folklore heroes, the cowboy captivated audiences for more than two centuries. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City showcases the story of the cowboy, with exhibits that explore his role as the foundation of American culture and society.

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum was founded in 1988 by actor Gene Autry to celebrate American Western culture. The museum is a world-class institution dedicated to exploring an inclusive history of the West. Visitors can see how the cowboy impacted the nation and the world through a variety of exhibits including a historical collection; art and film artifacts; contemporary and historical exhibitions; and educational programs for children.

Its mission is to “collect, preserve and display an internationally renowned collection of Western art and history while sponsoring dynamic educational programs that stimulate interest in the American West.” The museum’s collection includes a range of art, film, historic weapons and objects and more. It also hosts a series of events throughout the year.

Established in 1906, the Heye Center at the University of Pennsylvania is one of America’s leading cultural institutions focused on the study of American art and culture. Its collections include a broad spectrum of art, from the ancient cultures of North America to works by masters of 19th-century European painting and sculpture. The Center is located in a life-size Pioneer Town and offers a wide array of interactive exhibits.

The American Western Heritage Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of western culture, history, and the arts through research, education, exhibitions, publications, and outreach. The organization holds an annual conference where teachers and scholars share their research on Western history, publishes a peer reviewed academic journal, and promotes public awareness of the American West.

The museum features exhibits devoted to the people, places, and events of western North Dakota and the American west. It also has a large collection of Native American art and historic objects. Visitors can experience the Old West at a glance in a full-scale Pioneer town and see a world-class collection of classic and contemporary western art. There is even a section of the museum dedicated to western movies and television shows. Its collection contains a variety of costumes, props and other memorabilia from the films and TV shows that were made in the region.