The Duncan Banner

Local News

July 25, 2012

CTHC prepares for day of “Cowboy”

Rebeka Rutledge The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Celebrating the ways of the cowboy is almost an everyday occurrence in Southwestern Oklahoma.

In Stephens County, that’s particularly true for the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center and this will be the third year for the facility to join in the National Day of the Cowboy on Saturday. Museums and other places across the country host celebrations for the National Day of the Cowboy and CTHC has several things planned.

To encourage people to visit what is considered a top 10 museum of the west, entrance to the Heritage Center will be free this Saturday.

CTHC Education Coordinator Leah Mulkey enjoys participating in the National Day of the Cowboy, which she found out about while looking for educational ideas on the Internet.

“When I found this a few years back, I figured if anyone should be celebrating this, it should be us,” she said. “It always brings in new people who might never have been here before and it’s just a fun day for everyone.”

The family-friendly celebration is a come and go event with the activities happening throughout the Heritage Center.

Amidst the special activities planned for the celebration are the interactive displays in the museum and are usually a big hit with children and adults.

Children may try their hand at roping a steer dummy or ride a coin operated horse.

Also, each child can pick up a clipboard for a scavenger hunt that will have a list of items they must find within the museum.

There are also several exhibits that will appeal to older youth and adults.

One of those is honoring the vaquero heritage with a photographic exhibit.

Many trace the cowboy legacy back to the vaqueros. Bill Wittliff’s “Vaquero: Genesis of the Texas Cowboy” exhibit will be available for viewing.

It features a collection of photographs of hard working vaqueros taken in the early 70s at a ranch in northern Mexico.

The images of them performing their daily duties are all that are left of the vaquero way of life.

To inspire youth, Mulkey said an art project has been created for this.

Children who visit the Heritage Center will be creating a silhouette of a vaquero on a coffee filter.

“They will color a coffee filter, then spray it with water and put the silhouette on,” said Mulkey.

Also, there is the Experience Theater.

“Before each showing at the Experience Theater, a short clip of the vaqueros will be shown,” said Leah Mulkey. “The movie begins every half hour.”

Mulkey also encouraged parents to bring along a camera to capture the day’s activities and there will be a station where the children can get their photo taken in a sombrero or as part of a “Wanted” poster.

Also, for those who aren’t aware, the Heritage Center has an art museum, which features many historical works.

The Garis Art Gallery of the West contains paintings and sculptures, providing yet another glimpse into the life of a cowboy. CTHC offers many unique exhibits and activities.

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