What is Wild West? It is hats, the smell of gunpowder, lasso, and chases ... That is how we imagine the cowboys’ world. But it does not end with stereotypes of Hollywood. The heritage of the West is larger. You can learn a lot about the true Wild West, its history and culture at the National Museum of Cowboys and Western Heritage of Oklahoma City.

More than 28 thousand works of art and artifacts of Western and American Indians tell you an unusual history of the tribes living on these lands long before the Europeans. Here is the largest collection of American rodeo photos, original barb wire, saddlebags, and rodeo trophies.

The museum was founded in 1955 as a Cowboy Hall of Fame. Chester Reynolds got this idea. He was trying to “preserve” the spirit of the era in things. The museum offers the Chester Reynolds Memorial Prize to keep the memory of the founder.

The exhibition area is more than 19 thousand square meters. Several halls show you how life appeared and was developing here. 

The Cowboy Gallery is a reflection of cowboys’ life and traditions as well as the history of cattle breeding. You can see and even hold household items, toys, devices, and equipment.

The American Rodeo Gallery, established in the 50s, shows the history and specific features of America’s national sport. Be ready to change your opinion about the cowboys’ world. 

The Indian Gallery shows you the jewelry of Western tribes. Beads and figures reflect the beliefs and history of the indigenous people.

The gallery of American Weitzenhoffer firearms exhibits more than 100 samples made by Colt, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Sharps, Winchester, Marlin.

The museum’s collection contains more than two thousand works of Western art. Landscapes, portraits, still-life, and sculptures of artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Every June, the museum is an art gallery during the Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition and Sale. Artists sell original works of art, giving the proceeds to the gallery. 

The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. The entrance ticket costs about 13 dollars.