The cowboy boot.
This quintessential form of footwear has been featured in history books, films and television shows depicting (sometimes loosely) America’s Old West. Alternatively, they have also been featured prominently on the fashion scene, worldwide as well as here in the U.S.
Whether you’re a rancher or farmer who wears “working” boots for everyday work and fancier footwear for a night on the town, a boot fancier who loves wearing them to add a western flair to their wardrobe, or an armchair historian with interests in cowboys and all things related, you’ll want to catch Cowboy Boots: From Roundups to Runways, running Feb. 7 through May 4 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Presented by Lucchese Bookmaker, a leader in the art of bootmaking, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the history, craftsmanship and cultural impact of one of the most iconic symbols of the American West.
During its heyday as an essential part of a working cowboy’s toolkit on cattle trails, to its rise to mainstream prominence in the early 20th century (including the rodeo scene) and its reemergence in pop culture as a fashion status symbol in the 21st century, the cowboy boot’s story is intertwined with both American history and contemporary culture.
Visitors will discover how the basic form of the cowboy boot—from the toe box to the pull straps, from the ornate to the understated—has endured, remaining virtually unchanged for over 160 years. From the heel to the toe bug, guests will discover the function and craftsmanship behind each component and learn how each detail serves both practical and aesthetic purposes.
Through a combination of artifacts, artworks, larger-than-life color graphics, video and audio presentations, guests will get a firsthand look at how cowboy boots are made and learn about the master craftsmen who transform them into works of art, as well as hardy footwear designed to protect the wearer from rattlesnakes, thorny bushes and other hazards.
Visitors can examine custom-made boots, including those worn by famous individuals; compare their own footwear to famous boot prints; and even design their own cowboy boot on a touchscreen.
“This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to examine the lasting legacy of the cowboy boot, which has played such a pivotal role in the landscape of the American West,” said David Davis, chief curatorial officer at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. “The exhibition highlights some of the most extraordinary cowboy boots ever created, offering a one-of-a-kind look at this cultural icon.
"The exhibition also will showcase boots that run the gamut of the pop culture spectrum," the chief curatorial officer added. “These include boots worn by Western heroes of yesteryear, like Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Johnny Cash and Andre the Giant, to modern-day icons like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and a special collaboration between Lucchese Bootmaker and Chris Stapleton.”
The museum has planned two brown bag lunch and learn events in conjunction with the exhibit: Oklahoma cowboy bootmaker Lisa Sorrell will present The Art of Bootmaking from noon-1 p.m. March 6, and bootmaker Ray Dorwart will present Evolution of the Cowboy Boot from noon-1 p.m. March 13.
For more information, visit NationalCowboyMuseum.org/exhibitions/cowboy-boots.
“This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to examine the lasting legacy of the cowboy boot, which has played such a pivotal role in the landscape of the American West."
“"The exhibition highlights some of the most extraordinary cowboy boots ever created, offering a one-of-a-kind look at this cultural icon."