Texas was built in the saddle and rooted in a legacy that has long remained in the shadows. While the myth of the West is well known, Black cowboys helped shape the reality. As the backbone of the frontier, these expert horsemen, lawmen, and entrepreneurs fueled the region’s economic rise, making up one in four cowboys on the trail.

Black Cowboys: An American Story bridges this history with the present, bringing legends to life through a curated collection of personal artifacts, photographs, and more. From the rugged branding irons of the ranch to the cinematic spotlight of the silver screen, discover the grit and skill that defined the West and continues to inspire American culture today.

Exhibition developed by the Witte Museum, San Antiono.