-||- Mission -||- Vision -||- History -||- What the Museum Offers -||-
-||- Founders -||- Executive Comittee and Board Members -||-

Mission The primary objective of the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame is to offer the visitor a true and complete historical perspective of the people and activities that built the unique culture of the American West.  The work of artists who documented the people and events of the time through journalsphotographs and other historical items are part of this new collection.  These long overlooked materials tell perhaps for the first time the complete story.  The American West of today still operates on many of the principles and cultural relationships begun so long ago.

Jim and Gloria Austin Founders of NCOC Museum

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Vision

The National Cowboys of Color Hall of Fame was founded to give recognition to the outstanding pioneers who played a role in settling the early American western frontier.  The National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame also acknowledges individuals that have contributed to the western culture and tradition and play a part in keeping this important piece of American History alive. 

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History

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What the Museum Offers:

Youth Cultural Education Workshops

“DISCOVER AND EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF THE MINORITY COWBOY, BUFFALO SOLDIER AND FRONTIER PEOPLE OF THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.” – The museum weekly hosts free cultural heritage workshops for youth, sponsored by the Nissan Foundation, on each Wednesday and Thursday throughout the school year for all local public school districts, home-schools and private schools.  The free Cultural Heritage Youth Workshops entails guest speakers discussing historical contributions and cultural traditions and also offers a free tour of the museum at no cost to students and teachers.  The workshops focus on teaching to students the history of various minority involvements in the settling of the western United States, which includes the Texas Buffalo Soldiers, the history of the Black cowboy, American Indian culture and history and Hispanic customs and history.  Historians and guest speakers bring “history lessons to life” through characterizations, works of art, artifact presents, music and dance.  Each workshop session can accommodate approximately 100 students. 

The classes are age appropriate for the registrants.   Reservations to attend the workshops may be made by contacting the museum directly at 817-534-8801, by contacting the museum business office at (817) 922-9999, or you may email info@cowboysofcolor.org.

Children’s Storytelling

Every Saturday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm parents are encouraged to bring their children to experience free storytelling at the museum.  Area celebrities and other guest storytellers will read and share their favorite stories to children, highlighting the history of the settling of the American Western Frontier as well as discussing the modern-day sport of rodeo and other cowboy/western heritage entertainment.  There is no cost to attend this weekly event. 

Student Interactive Activities

Students, as well as adults, can add to their educational experience at the museum by participating in a variety of interactive activities such as matching games, crossword puzzles, hidden message word searches and scavenger hunts.  During the scavenger hunts, students will scour the museum, looking for the answers to a variety of questions about the heroes featured in our exhibits. Specialized cultural heritage scavenger hunts are available that highlight the achievements of particular groups, such as African-American cowboys, Hispanic cowboys, cowgirls and other female pioneers as well as Native American Indian Chiefs.

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Founders

James N. Austin Jr. and Gloria Reed Austin

Executive Committee

President – John Avila, Jr.

Vice-President – Eric Peterson

Secretary – Kim Wimbish

Treasurer – Fran McCarthy

Executive Director – Gloria Reed Austin

Board Members

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