An Arizona Treasure and Each year, more than 52,000 visitors wind their way down the trail to Wickenburg to discover Arizona’s most western museum. Whether they come to town as western art aficionados or happen by as curious tourists, they invariably leave the museum saying, “What a gem!”
Storyteller of the West At the heart of this museum named "2007-2008 Western Museum of the Year" is its prized collection which tells the vast story of the West through the talented eyes of America’s great western artists. In its galleries, visitors are treated to the early explorer artists such as Catlin; the monumental landscape artists such as Bierstadt and Moran; the classic cowboy artists such as Remington and Russell; Taos society artists such as Sharp, Dunton, Berninghaus and Ufer; and contemporary artists such as Mell. Yet, as impressive as the museum’s art collection is, the story of the West isn’t just confined to its galleries. Visitors are also treated to the Hays’ Spirit of the Cowboy Collection with its mind-boggling array of authentic cowboy gear and memorabilia dating back to the Mexican vaquero tradition. There is a Hall of History where thousands of years of desert frontier history are captured in time. An early Wickenburg Street Scene complete with a general store, hotel, saloon and the fully outfitted rooms of a turn-of-the ccentury home is another favorite. A dazzling Mineral Room and Native American Room, and an exciting exhibit especially for children called Out on the Ranch, add to the experience. More History in the Making Art and history lovers have joined critics and journalists over the years, praising the lively and unique changing exhibitions presented by the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. Now with Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West, the Museum proudly brings together the largest gathering of currently working western women artists to both celebrate, and recognize, their enormous contribution. It is a history-making exhibition that has been called a landmark, a watershed and even a crossroads for the artists. For the museum, it is also a defining moment. |
Desert Caballeros Western Museum Visit the Museum at www.westernmuseum.org |