National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame
In the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District, just across the way from Dickies Arena and the Will Rogers barns, a museum devoted to the women who shaped the West is planning its next big move. This month, the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame announced a $19 million expansion that will add 16,000 square feet of storytelling, style, and spectacle to one of the city’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
Scheduled to open in November 2026, the expansion isn’t just about adding square footage — it’s about widening the lens. “This expansion is not just about more space — it’s about deepening our storytelling,” said Executive Director Pat Riley in a release. “We’re creating unforgettable experiences that reflect the bold spirit of the cowgirl — innovative, fearless, and inspiring.”
The first thing visitors will notice is the museum’s reoriented entrance. Facing toward Dickies Arena, the new façade will feature sweeping bas reliefs of galloping horses — a visual tribute to the power and partnership between the women of the West and the animals that helped carry them through it. The new entry point will boost visibility and connect the museum more naturally with its Cultural District neighbors, which include the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the Kimbell Art Museum.
At the heart of the expansion is a striking centerpiece: a fully functional carousel, crafted by the San Francisco–based design firm Barrango. Equal parts art installation and interactive ride, it’s meant to be a joyful, kinetic homage to the spirit of the cowgirl — accessible to visitors of all ages, and unlike anything else in town.
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The expansion will also house two new permanent galleries. One will spotlight Western fashion — not just fringe and felt, but the evolution of cowgirl style through ranch work, rodeo circuits, pop culture, and high fashion. The other will be a photo gallery built to immerse visitors in striking visuals from the past and present, capturing the real faces and lives of the women the museum was built to honor.
Returning to helm the design is Projectiles, a Paris-based architecture firm that previously led the museum’s 2018 renovation of its second floor. Founding partner Reza Azard called the collaboration “a wonderful human adventure,” grounded in a decade of trust. “For the museum, the expansion is a fantastic opportunity to create a unique and distinctive entrance, facing its own park and in dialogue with Dickies Arena,” he said.
The Cowgirl Museum is once again teaming up with Fort Worth-based Linbeck Construction, which built the museum’s original facility more than two decades ago. Linbeck president Thomas Cole sees the project as more than just a build. “We’re honored to continue supporting an institution whose mission celebrates the courage, resilience, and trailblazing spirit of women of the West,” he said.
EwingCole, also based in Fort Worth, will serve as the architect of record. “This project exemplifies our dedication to honoring history while shaping contemporary experiences,” said Gannon Gries, EwingCole’s regional director. “It’s a continuation of a meaningful, collaborative relationship.”
The expansion also includes a spacious new event venue that can hold up to 250 guests — a deliberate move to grow the museum’s role as a gathering space, not just a gallery. From educational programs and lectures to private rentals and public celebrations, the Cowgirl is building room for community right into its foundation.
Founded in 1975, the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame has always taken the long view. With a research library, a vast collection of rare photographs, and more than 240 women inducted into its Hall of Fame — from artists to athletes to political pioneers — the museum is both a local treasure and a national archive. Its goal isn’t to mythologize the West but to honor the real women who shaped it.
“This is about amplifying voices that have often gone unheard,” Riley said. “And making sure that every visitor — no matter their age, background, or boots — feels that connection.”
National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame
- 1720 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, TX
- Open Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday noon–5 p.m.
- Admission: $10 adults (12+), $7 seniors (65+) and military, $4 children (3–12), children under 3 free
- For more information: www.cowgirl.net
