Fort Worth, TX – The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame is set to unveil a major $19 million expansion on Nov. 7, coinciding with the museum’s 50th anniversary. The 16,000‑square‑foot addition will host new galleries that celebrate the women who shaped the American West, a one‑of‑a‑kind Miranda Lambert wardrobe exhibit, and the debut of the Cowgirl Carousel.
Grand Opening Celebration
Members of the museum will enjoy an exclusive preview beginning at 10 a.m., followed by the Grand Cowgirl Parade at noon. The parade, free to the public, will wind through Fort Worth’s Cultural District with horses, Western organizations, and festive floats.
New Galleries Highlight Women of the West
The expanded Collections Gallery will feature “The 38,” an exhibition that tells the story of the 38 women who founded the Girls Rodeo Association in 1948 – now known as the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. The exhibit showcases historic objects and personal narratives that illustrate how these pioneers created professional opportunities for female rodeo competitors.
“The names of the 38 women who formed the GRA have never been presented in their entirety, in a gallery setting with historic objects placed in context,” said Diana Vela, Ph.D., Associate Executive Director of Exhibits & Education. “As a museum that prides itself on recovering women’s stories, this was of importance: to proclaim their names.”
Miranda Lambert Wardrobe on Display
Country music star Miranda Lambert’s “Velvet Rodeo” wardrobe will debut in the new Icons Gallery. Created in collaboration with the singer, the exhibit offers a close look at the clothing and design details that defined her Las Vegas residency. Lambert, a National Cowgirl Hall of Fame honoree, mounted shooting competitor, and horsewoman, said, “Seeing these pieces now have a life beyond the stage as part of the Museum’s new Icons Gallery feels really full circle and special.”
Six New Hall‑of‑Fame Inductees
The museum’s 50th‑anniversary celebration also includes the induction of six women into the Hall of Fame, representing achievements in horse racing, mounted shooting, fashion, medicine, craftsmanship, and equestrian sports. The 2026 class includes Civil War surgeon and women’s‑rights advocate Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Kentucky Derby trainer Cherie DeVaux, six‑time world champion mounted shooter Kenda Lenseigne, fashion designer Lela Rose, Olympic show jumper Laura Kraut, and Oklahoma master bootmaker Lisa Sorrell.
Looking Ahead
The expansion marks the beginning of the museum’s next 50 years of preserving and sharing the stories of women who shaped Western culture. Visitors can explore the new galleries, view “The 38,” admire Lambert’s wardrobe, and ride the Cowgirl Carousel as the museum embarks on this new chapter.
Original reporting: Local Profile (DFW) — read the source article.
