National Cowboy Day July 26

What better way to celebrate the American West than with cowboys, especially on Saturday, July 26, 2014, National Cowboy Day. Since the West is “front and center” in our name—Buffalo Bill CENTER of the West—we think we’re the perfect spot for you who love the West to spend the day.

Merely stepping on our premises is sure to prime visitors for the celebration as the smell of a campfire drifts through the Wyoming air. It’s biscuits and beans, with sampling expected, as the cook shows you how it’s done in a day-long chuckwagon cooking demonstration in front of the Center of the West. Then, our galleries display iconic artwork from the equally iconic cowboy artists Charlie Russell, Frederic Remington, Harry Jackson, and N.C. Wyeth—whose works are presented here. Horseback rides take place all day, and our daily guided tours are perfect for National Cowboy Day—especially: People of the West.

In 2005, Wyoming’s own U.S. Senator, the late Craig Thomas first drafted a resolution in the Senate to name the fourth Saturday in July as “National Day of the American Cowboy.” On June 24, 2014, senators from Montana and Wyoming joined eight of their colleagues in introducing the ninth National Day of the American Cowboy resolution, honoring the accomplishments and contributions of cowboys. “The American cowboy symbolizes the spirit, values, and traditions that people in Wyoming cherish most,” U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo said. “Washington could benefit from adhering to the cowboy’s commitment to honesty, integrity, and hard work. I look forward to… honoring America’s cowboys and cowgirls across the state of Wyoming.” The Center of the West has commemorated National Cowboy Day since 2007. Simply put: We love the West, and we love cowboys! There isn’t a better place to celebrate National Day of the American Cowboy—check it out!

It was all about cowboys for artist N.C. Wyeth (1882 – 1945) as he created these works on canvas in 1904 following a trip out West. They are part of our collection in the Whitney Western Art Museum. L – R: The Lee of the Grub Wagon, 46.83; Cutting Out, 45.83; The Wild Spectacular Race for Dinner, 44.83; Above the Sea of Round, Shiny Backs the Thin Loops Swirled and Shot into Volumes of Dust, 3.77; and Rounding Up—Little Rattlesnake Creek, 1.77. The oil paintings are gifts of John M. Schiff.