Fort Worth’s Cultural District came alive Saturday as families, riders and community leaders marched through the streets to honor the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame’s ambitious expansion. The parade, featuring cowgirls in boots and spurs, highlighted the museum’s nearly 18,000‑square‑foot addition that will bring four new galleries, an 18‑horse carousel, an event venue and dedicated space for K‑12 educational programming.
Expansion details and community impact
Since opening at its current downtown location in 2002, the museum has celebrated the lives and legacies of women who shaped the American West. The new expansion aims to broaden that mission, offering more room for exhibits that showcase women’s contributions to ranching, rodeo, art and entrepreneurship. The carousel and event venue will provide family‑friendly attractions, while the education wing will host school field trips and after‑school programs that teach children about Western heritage.
Voices from the parade
Kendra Hileman, a member of the nationwide sisterhood 40 Something Cowgirls, rode in the parade to support the museum’s growth. “It’s just exciting to see the museum expanding and that we get to help support that,” Hileman said. She added that watching children’s faces light up around the horses is a rewarding part of the event.
Alexis Brooks, champion queen of 40 Something Cowgirls, emphasized the museum’s role in recognizing women in the industry. “We love to support the Cowgirl Museum, and their support of women in the industry is just amazing,” she said, noting that women’s stories are often eclipsed by cowboy narratives.
Long‑time Fort Worth resident Luke Lee brought his two‑year‑old daughter, Lillian, to the parade. “It means a lot because I got away from that and I kind of miss it,” Lee said, describing the event as a chance to reconnect with his childhood love of horses.
Brenda Brock Moe, president of the North Texas High School Rodeo Association, attended with students, stressing the importance of passing rodeo traditions to younger generations. “In order to keep rodeo alive, you got to have an up‑and‑coming generation,” she said. “Building traditions and building cowboys from the ground up is a good feeling.”
Jan Youren, a 1993 inductee of the Cowgirl Museum, reflected on the institution’s humble beginnings in the basement of the Deaf Smith County Library in Hereford, Texas. “It was one stand with four shelves and a picture with a write‑up of each girl. Now, look what it is today. It’s unbelievable,” she said, adding that being a cowgirl is defined by attitude and character, not just riding skill.
Looking ahead
The expansion is slated to begin construction later this year, with the museum expecting to open the new facilities to the public in 2028. Community leaders see the project as a boost to Fort Worth’s cultural tourism and a reaffirmation of the city’s Western heritage.
“The museum’s growth reflects the strength of our community and our shared commitment to honoring the women who helped build the West,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker in a statement released after the parade.
As the parade concluded, families gathered around the horses, children laughed, and the sound of spurs echoed through the district— a vivid reminder that Fort Worth’s Western spirit remains vibrant and alive.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
