Explore the sagas of those who settled the American West through this Oklahoma City attraction’s galleries and collections. Wander the museum’s halls of fame to honor the men and women who have embodied and perpetuated the heritage of the American West. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is also home to Dining on Persimmon Hill restaurant and a gift store.
Permanent Galleries
American Cowboy Gallery
The 8,000-square-foot American Cowboy Gallery chronicles the cowboy’s history from Spanish colonial times to the 20th century. Step into a rough-hewn ranch building and explore the most extensive presentation of historic cowboy gear in the country including bridles, bits, spurs and ropes. At the center of the American Cowboy Gallery, one will find a naturalistic diorama representing a late 19th century trail drive complete with an authentic chuck wagon from the renowned Matador Ranch of West Texas.
American Rodeo Gallery
Celebrate the history, people and events of the West’s truly indigenous sport, the rodeo, in the American Rodeo Gallery. Unparalleled to any other, holdings enlighten and excite all visitors in a colorful and dramatic interpretive gallery encompassing 6,500 square feet of space.
Art of the American West
Outstanding examples from the Oklahoma City museum’s collection of over 2,000 paintings and sculptures await you in the Art of the American West Gallery. Highlights of the gallery include the 18-foot-tall marble Canyon Princess by Gerald Balciar, Albert Bierstadt’s Emigrants Crossing the Plains and The Leader’s Downfall by William R. Leigh.
Fine Firearms Gallery
Discover over 100 rare and historic firearms in the Weitzenhoffer Gallery of Fine American Firearms. Sponsored by Ackerman McQueen, this richly furnished exhibit showcases Colt, Remington, Sharps, Smith & Wesson, Winchester, Parker Brothers and Marlin firearms.
Museum of the Frontier West
Learn about tangible legacies of diverse peoples and historical currents in the 19th-century American West. As you step into the Museum of the Frontier West, you will be transported to the unsullied West of 150 years ago through some 500 objects representing four significant topics in western history: Plains Native American Horse Culture; Trappers, Traders and Trail-blazers; U.S. Military Life and Culture; and Market and Sport Hunting and the Origins of Conservation.
Native American Gallery
Learn about the diversity of Native cultures and traditions. In the Native American Gallery nearly 190 individual cultural items can be found throughout the gallery’s unique interpretive themes: Human Presence, Views of the Universe, Abstract and Geometric Designs, Flag Motifs, Floral Patterns, The Horse, Animal Symbols and Continuing Traditions.
Silberman Gallery
The Silberman Gallery features small interpretive, thematic exhibitions that rotate every three to six months and are derived from the Silberman Collection comprised of approximately 2,500 paintings, prints, drawings, cultural, and historical objects as well as books, publications, photographs, slides, and audio recordings. Acquired by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1996, not only does the Silberman Collection represent the entire chronological span of the Native American Fine Arts Movement, it also represents 50 different cultural affiliations and is perhaps one of the most comprehensive endeavors of its kind by a private collector.
Western Performers Gallery
See the various ways the West has been interpreted in literature and film. The Western Performers Gallery honors western performers who have contributed to the making and preservation of the stories and legends of the West and displays items from the museum’s extensive collection of memorabilia including firearms and artwork that belonged to John Wayne and significant, biographically associated artifacts from the 101 Ranch Wild West Show.
Prosperity Junction
Prosperity Junction is a replica of a turn-of-the-century cattle town with its own unique history and location. Stroll down the streets of Prosperity Junction and learn about its railroad depot, blacksmith shop, and livery stable in its north end. In the middle of the town is the bulk of its business structures. To the south you will find a school, the church and residences.
Osborn Studio
Visit Osborn Studio and discover how photographers like J.C. Osborn took advantage of this relatively recent and very popular innovation in the late 19th century. Inside the studio you will find a vintage camera, photo portrait backdrop and all the paraphernalia needed to operate a photography studio. Making your way through the back door of the studio you will enter into a formal gallery space where you will find a unique exhibit that chronicles the history of photography since the turn of the century.
Awards and Halls of Fame
In addition to its permanent galleries, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum features three Halls of Fame that honor and memorialize the men and women who have embodied and perpetuated the heritage of the American West. Wander the galleries and pay your respects to cowboys of all sorts in the Hall of Great Westerners, the Hall of Great Western Performers and the Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Dining on Persimmon Hill
Situated in its east wing is Dining on Persimmon Hill, the museum’s full-service restaurant. Decorated in an early prairie motif of yellow sunflowers and overlooking the Western States Plaza, pool and fountain, Dining on Persimmon Hill’s menu features everything from soups and sandwiches to hot entrées and old-fashioned desserts such as chocolate Italian cream cake, strawberry torte, peach cobbler and carrot cake. Dining on Persimmon Hill also serves a bountiful lunch buffet that includes soups, salad, hot entrées, side dishes and delectable deserts.
Shopping in the Museum Store
Be sure to stop by the Museum Store. Apparel, art, books, jewelry and gifts unique to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum are available to purchase.
- The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum offers complimentary wheelchairs on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- In addition to its permanent galleries, the museum features temporary exhibitions.
- Take the time to explore the museum grounds featuring a series of outdoor sculptures among trees, flowers, ponds and running streams. Notable sculptures include Welcome Sundown, waiting to greet visitors at the museum entrance, Coming through the Rye on the Western States Plaza and Paint Mare and Filly, hidden among the grounds’ grove trees.