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Whoop It Up! Special Exhibition

by

Past Exhibition

June 7, 2019 – January 5, 2021

Whoop it Up! Celebrating 100 Years of the Cody Stampede told the story of the Cody Stampede, a highly successful, multi-day rodeo event held every year since 1919, except during World War II. The special exhibition featured vintage photographs, artwork, artifacts, film footage–and not a few surprises. It interpreted the Stampede in the context of its precursor, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, with its heroic portrait of the American cowboy taming wild broncs. It connected as well to the diverse cast of lady riders, cowgirls, trick riders and ropers, and bold equestrianism that made the Wild West a template for western rodeos throughout America.

To tell this full, colorful story, the Center of the West partnered with the Cody Stampede Board and the local community. The exhibition featured rodeo legends Nick Knight, Mel Stonehouse, and “Cody Bill” Smith, among the many star performers who have passed through Cody on their way up the ladder of fame.

Whoop It Up! opened Friday, June 7, 2019, in the Center’s Anne and Charles Duncan Special Exhibition Gallery, and closed January 5, 2021.

  • Arthur Holman bronc riding at Stampede Rodeo, Clarence William at left, Blocker Dodge at right. MS 005 Cody Local History Collection. P.69.1703
    Arthur Holman bronc riding at Stampede Rodeo, Clarence William at left, Blocker Dodge at right. MS 005 Cody Local History Collection. P.69.1703
  • Cowboys heading and heeling steer at Stampede Rodeo, July 4, 1957. MS 089 Jack Richard Photograph Collection. PN.89.17.2972a.03.22
    Cowboy heading a steer at Stampede Rodeo, July 4, 1957. MS 089 Jack Richard Photograph Collection. PN.89.17.2972a.03.22
Cowboys waiting on the catwalk at Stampede Rodeo, July 2009. MS 426 Ken Blackbird Collection. P.426.05380
Cowboys waiting on the catwalk at Stampede Rodeo, July 2009. MS 426 Ken Blackbird Collection. P.426.05380

Sponsors and Business Partners

We would like to thank the following sponsors and business partners whose contributions made the Whoop It Up exhibition possible.

Hall of Fame

All Around Champion

  • Paul & Judy Cali
  • Ed & Nancy Webster

Ring of Honor

Rodeo Fan

About Nancy McClure

Nancy works in the Public Relations Department in electronic communications. Her work includes writing and updating website content, publicizing events, copy editing, working with images, and producing the e-newsletter Western Wire. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys photography, reading, flower gardening, and playing the flute.

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