ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Museum of the American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, Colorado
It is the Only Such Museum in the World
The museum is in a 20-acre location in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs, and it is the only such museum in the world. More than 40,000 visitors entered the museum in 2000, and the $4.4 million expansion in 1996 that included 30,000 square feet was built in anticipation of the huge growth in popularity for rodeo for a 15 year period. The museum is just west of Interstate 25 at exit 147.
Once you are inside the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, you will have the chance to watch two videos that illustrate the history of the sport from the its beginnings to the popular sport it is today. While you are between shows, you will have the chance to browse the Heritage Hall and be amazed at the transformation of historic to the modern cowboy. The transformation will be displayed by displays that show saddles, clothing, chaps, ropes, and other rodeo equipment.
Your tour will be self guided. In the Hall of Champions you will learn about current champions, cowboys, rodeo clowns, and others. There is an exhibit about each honoree. The exhibits include trophies, personal memorabilia, gear, and pictures. To make things more interesting, when you are strolling through the exhibit of western art, you may have the chance to meet the artist and ask questions. You may even notice a Western feeling even more, because live rodeo animals are penned outside the courtyard. There is also a sculpture garden and a replica of a rodeo arena.
More than 150 people have been nominated annually for the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Only a few are inducted, however. One year that did have a large number of inductees was 2000, with 145 people and 22 animals being inducted.
The Hall of Fame is operated by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association board. It opened in 1979. Although it was closed indefinitely in January 2005 because of financial issues, it was reopened April 9, 2005.
Some of the famous inductees into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy are Ty Murray, Jim Shoulders, Tuff Hedeman, Charles Sampson, Larry Mahan, Roy Cooper, Slim Pickens, Ben Johnson, Lane Frost, Casey Tibbs, and Don Gay.
Ty Murray has won nine world rodeo championships, including an all around championship and a championship for bull riding. He also competed on the hit television series, Dancing With the Stars. Charles Sampson was the first African American world champion in the sport of rodeo. Don Gay was an eight time bull riding champion. Slim Pickens was best known for his comic roles but also often played a tough cowboy on television and was a rodeo clown. Ben Johnson Jr. often played a cowboy in movies, but he was also a rodeo cowboy, stuntman, and rancher. Larry Mahan began his career in professional rodeo at the age of 14 and was World All-Around Rodeo Champion for five consecutive years from 1966-1970 and a sixth time in 1973.
The ProRodeo Hall of Fame is involved in a variety of special activities including an annual Special Needs Rodeo for the Pikes Peak Range Riders, which attempts to preserve and protect the heritage of the Pikes Peak region. The particular event the hall of fame is involved with the Range Riders gives special needs children a chance to see a rodeo.
When you are in Colorado Springs to see Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods, you might consider a trip to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The museum is open Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. the rest of the year and the same hours from September 1 to April 1, but it is closed on Sunday and Monday during those times of the year. Admission is $ 6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, $4 for the military, $3 for children 6-12, and free for those younger than 6.
Citations: ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Museum of the American Cowboy , Diana Rowe Martinez, Suite101.com
ProRodeo Hall of Fame, no author listed, En.wikipedia.org
ProRodeo Hall of Fame, no author listed, Prorodeohalloffame.com
Ty Murray King of the Cowboys, no author listed, Tymurray.com/
Published by Mike White
Newspaper correspondent for almost three years. Freelance writer with hundreds of articles on the Internet and published in magazines and newspapers, View profile
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