Nearly 3,000 visitors participate in a week of celebrations culminating in the Museum’s 50th Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon and grand opening of its 16,000-square-foot expansion
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (November 11, 2026) — The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame marked a milestone in its history with a week of extraordinary celebrations, welcoming an estimated 3,000 visitors November 2–7 for special events, its 50th Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon and the grand opening of its highly anticipated 16,000-square-foot expansion.
The historic week brought together Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honorees, supporters, community leaders, families and visitors from across Texas and beyond to celebrate the remarkable women whose courage, determination and pioneering spirit have shaped the American West and continue to inspire future generations.
The festivities culminated Saturday, November 7, when approximately 1,000 people gathered in Fort Worth’s Cultural District for the Cowgirl Grand Parade and the Museum’s official public opening.
“This was more than a celebration of a new building or a milestone anniversary. It was a celebration of the women whose stories have shaped our history and the generations who will carry their legacy forward,” said Pat Riley, Executive Director of the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. “Seeing thousands of people come together throughout the week, and watching families experience our expanded Museum for the first time, was incredibly rewarding. This expansion allows us to tell more stories, reach more people and create new opportunities to inspire the cowgirls of tomorrow.”
A Week Celebrating 50 Years of Cowgirl Excellence
The week featured special gatherings and celebrations surrounding the Museum’s 50th Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon, held November 5 at Ariat Arena and presented by the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
The milestone luncheon honored six extraordinary women whose accomplishments represent the diverse contributions of women to Western heritage, sports, fashion and history. The 2026 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductees included Cherie DeVaux, groundbreaking Thoroughbred horse trainer; Laura Kraut, Olympic show jumping champion; Kenda Lenseigne, six-time world champion mounted shooter; Lela Rose, internationally acclaimed fashion designer; Lisa Sorrell, renowned custom cowboy bootmaker; and Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, pioneering Civil War surgeon and the only woman ever awarded the Medal of Honor, who was honored posthumously.
The celebration included Hall of Fame Honorees, distinguished guests and Museum supporters from across the country to recognize the 2026 class and commemorate five decades of celebrating women whose courage, determination and independent nature continue to inspire generations.
The week’s festivities also included a ceremonial ribbon cutting, special gatherings and exclusive previews of the Museum’s expanded spaces, new exhibitions and immersive visitor experiences, marking a significant new chapter for the institution.
A Grand Parade and a Grand Opening
On Saturday, November 7, the celebration extended beyond the Museum’s walls and into the streets of Fort Worth’s Cultural District with the Cowgirl Grand Parade.
Featuring more than 400 participants and over 120 horses, the parade brought together riding clubs, spectacular charra riders, rodeo royalty, antique automobiles, marching band performers, community organizations and the TCU Baseball Team. Participants traveled from communities across Texas to take part in the historic event.
Approximately 1,000 spectators and visitors joined the day’s festivities, enjoying the colorful procession before exploring the newly expanded Museum during its public grand opening. The celebration also included a special member preview, food trucks and free Museum admission throughout the day.
The enthusiastic turnout underscored the Museum’s importance not only as a cultural institution but also as a gathering place where Western heritage, community and inspiration come together.
A Bold New Chapter for The Cowgirl
The opening of the 16,000-square-foot expansion represents a transformative investment in the Museum’s future, significantly enhancing its ability to present compelling exhibitions, celebrate contemporary Western culture and engage visitors of all ages.
Among the new experiences are Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo, the inaugural exhibition in the new Icons Gallery featuring the country music superstar’s spectacular Las Vegas residency wardrobe; The 38, which honors the trailblazing women who formed the first professional women’s sporting group in the United States, the Girls Rodeo Association; and Gravity Defied, a photography exhibit celebrating the daring spirit and achievements of women who challenged expectations through trick riding.
The expansion also introduces an engaging carousel experience and new opportunities for visitors to connect with the stories, creativity and enduring influence of women of the West.
“For 50 years, the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame has been dedicated to ensuring that the accomplishments of remarkable women are recognized, celebrated and never forgotten,” said Kit Moncrief, President of the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. “This expansion is an investment in the next 50 years. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this vision a reality.”
Beyond providing additional exhibition space, the expansion strengthens the Museum’s role as a destination for education, discovery and cultural engagement. Through its exhibitions, collections and educational programming serving more than 5,000 students annually, the Museum introduces young people to women who broke barriers, challenged convention and demonstrated that determination can change the world.
The expanded Museum creates new opportunities to build on that mission through innovative storytelling, engaging visitor experiences and partnerships that connect the past with the present.
As the Museum looks toward its next half-century, the success of the induction and grand opening celebrations signals an exciting future for an institution dedicated to honoring the women who shape the West—and change the world.
Photos below by Arte Charra, Dusty Saddles Photography and Robert Underwood
