The cowboy boot is ubiquitous in the West, and yet rarely the main subject when it comes to the history and culture of the American West. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, plans to fix that with a dedicated exhibition for boots opening February 7. Cowboy Boots: From Roundups to Runwayswill examine all aspects—“from the toe box to the pull straps, from the ornate to the understated”—of the famous footwear.
Gene Autry standing with man and little boy, all in Western gear. Ralph R. Doubleday, ca. 1946, nitrite negative. The Ralph R. Doubleday Rodeo Photograph Collection, The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. 79.026.2192.
“From its origins in the post-Civil War American West, during its heyday as an essential part of a working cowboy’s toolkit on cattle trails, to its rise to mainstream prominence in the early 20th century and its reemergence in pop culture as a fashion status symbol in the 21st century, the cowboy boot’s story is intertwined with both American history and contemporary culture,” the museum notes.
Roy Rogers. Unknown photographer, the Small Collection, The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. 2001.017.2.
“This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to examine the lasting legacy of the cowboy boot, which has played such a pivotal role in the landscape of the American West,” says David Davis, chief curatorial officer at the museum. “It will highlight some of the most extraordinary cowboy boots ever created, offering a one-of-a-kind look at this cultural icon.”
Boots belonging to President Ronald Reagon. Created by Tony Lama, ca. 1980. Gift of Rex Allen Sr. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. 1982.51.1.
In addition to historical material, including photos and objects, the exhibition will also feature a large variety of boots in many styles and from many makers. Cowboy Boots runs through May 4. —
Cowboy Boots: From Roundups to Runways
February 7-May 4, 2025
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, (405) 478-2250, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org
Powered by Froala Editor
