Exhibit Galleries

Good for Grass Exhibit

Good Grass for Cattle:
The Beginning of Texas Ranching, 1690-1890

Texas ranching traces its roots to 1690 when Spain introduced cattle to Texas. Cowboys soon developed tools and techniques that were adapted for working cattle. This gallery traces the development of the Texas cattle industry beginning with the “vaqueros,” the first trail drives of the 1850s, and the importance of cattle to Texas during and after the Civil War.

With the era of trail drives, beef was introduced to new markets across the country. As the cattle industry grew into a booming business, expansive ranches emerged and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association was formed to protect them.

Rails, Roads, Rodeos, and Rustlers: <br>Ranchers Enter the Modern Age, 1890-1950

Rails, Roads, Rodeos, and Rustlers:
Ranchers Enter the Modern Age, 1890-1950

With the invention of barbed wire, rangelands were enclosed, the cattle drives ended, and a new way of moving cattle to emerging markets was introduced. Railroads quickly transformed cities like Fort Worth into bustling cattle markets and meat packing centers, helping to boost prices for Southwestern cattle. By the late 1890s, stock shows and rodeos were introduced to help promote sales and establish a venue for cattle raisers to better understand the value of breeding and exhibiting stock to potential buyers. Additionally, cattle theft became a greater issue, branding was introduced as a way cattle are identified to a ranch, and brand inspectors looked out for rustlers. Finally, ranching modernized with the introduction of tools, trailers and large trucks to haul cattle to distant places.

The Vision Trail:<br>Ranchers Embrace Technology

The Vision Trail:
Ranchers Embrace Technology, 1950-Present

Innovation and technology has defined the modern era of the beef industry. Technology helped cattle raisers fight diseases such as the screwworm and provided new tools to help ranchers be stewards of the land and improve the genetics of livestock. Today, cattle raisers take full advantage of digital communications to make quicker and more efficient decisions about their herds and rangelands. As the popularity of livestock shows has grown, so also have organizations including FFA and 4-H. Consumers can feel good about the nutritional value of lean beef produced by today’s ranchers and benefit from the hundreds of edible, non-edible, and medicinal byproducts of cattle. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association remains a strong advocate representing more than 18,000 ranching families and continues to work to stop cattle rustling through its law enforcement staff.

The Gathering Place

The Gathering Place

The central gallery is where visitors can see four majestic longhorns in a corral. You will learn more about ranching families in Texas and the Southwest, the importance of stewardship of land, livestock, water and wildlife, and about population as compared with land. The gallery features saddles dated from the 1850s to the 1920s from the magnificent Ken Spain Saddle collection. In this area the Museum also displays a range of artwork highlighting the life, work, and land of Texas and Southwestern cattle raisers.

Hall of Great Cattle

Hall of Great Cattle

The Hall of Great Cattle introduces visitors to cattle breeds in a distinct way. “Portraits” of ten breeds beautifully painted and displayed in baroque frames greet visitors as they walk through the gallery. Each portrait is animated which gives the visitor a special surprise as they move and talk.

Jane and John Justin Gallery

Half Top, Stuart Ranch, 2021. © Clay S. Forst

Jane and John Justin Gallery

The Jane and John Justin Gallery hosts temporary exhibits showcasing the history and heritage of the ranching way of life. Currently, the gallery is host to the photography exhibition, Life on the Stuart Ranch, by Clay S. Forst.

Forst is a 6th generation rancher on the historic Stuart Ranch near Waurika, Oklahoma. Established in 1868, the Stuart Ranch is Oklahoma’s oldest ranch under continuous family ownership. Together, with his brother Robert, and under the leadership of their mother, Terry Stuart Forst, the ranch has evolved into a multi-faceted, award-winning operation with cattle, horse, hunting and meat company divisions. The 21 photographs selected for this exhibition highlight the beauty of the ranch, its wildlife, and the family’s dedication as stewards of the land and livestock and their commitment of excellence in service to their community.

Don C. King Legacy Room

Don C. King Legacy Room

The Don C. King Legacy Room pays tribute to great cattle raisers, both past and present. Artifacts of these individuals are housed in pull-out drawers in specially designed cherry wood cabinets.