"Bullets and Bustles: Costumes of Lonesome Dove" exhibit at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME

On a cool, dreary, rainy day, the Travelling Toe and 3 friends drove to the West Side of Fort Worth to visit the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.  The primary reason for our visit was to see a special exhibit  titled "Bullets and Bustles: Costumes of Lonesome Dove".

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

Many of you may not know but a six months celebration is taking place in Fort Worth to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the television series "Lonesome Dove".  The celebration titled "The Lonesome Dove Reunion and Trail", will have special exhibits at several Fort Worth venues, including a free showing of the series at Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth.  Additionally, a panel discussion with cast and crew is scheduled for March 30th and 31st..

This article from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram details more of the celebration plans:

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Newspaper Article

This web site also have interesting information as well:

Lonesome Dove Reunion


The exhibit at the Cowgirl Museum is described on the museum's web site as follows:

Movies about Cowboys and Cowgirls have always made for great entertainment.  Part fact, part fiction - and almost always heroic in some way be it through quest or character. The making of those characters is often it's own story - a different yet equally engaging tale.  "Bullets and Bustles" will feature costumes of Captain August "Gus" McCrae, Captain Woodrow F. Call (former Ranger), Joshua Deets and a woman we are proud to claim as a cowgirl, Clara Allen.  All costumes were carefully conceived by 

award-winning costume designer Van Ramsey.

The movie is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book, written by Larry McMurtry, a native Texan.

Larry McMurtry

                                                                   
The only negative observation that we have to report is that the exhibit is rather small.  It shows only a few costumes.  The exhibit case for Woodrow F Call (Tommy Lee Jones), included boots, a gun, a branding iron, and a Texas Ranger badge.  Another case had the costume worn by Robert Duvall as Gus, with pants, shirt and hat.  Then there was a case showing the costume worn by Danny Glover as Joshua Deets.  If you remember he wore patchwork pants and those were on display as well. There was also a costume worn by Anjelica Huston as Clara Allen.  A hat worn by Robert Urich as Jake Spoon was also featured.  There is a short video with clips of the movie and interviews of the cast available in an area where you can a spell and rest your weary bones.  A couple of saddle stools are available for the kiddos to sit on and pretend to be a real cowgirl or cowboy.

Robert Duvall
Gus McCrae

Danny Glover
Joshua Deets

Tommy Lee Jones
Woodrow Call

Anjelica Huston
Clara Allen

Robert Urich
Jake Spoon

After we finished the exhibit, we wandered through the rest of the museum and saw wonderful displays honoring cowgirls from all walks of life. 

There are quotes posted thorough the exhibit hall, but this one really grabbed my eye:

Little boys have their idols.  Why not give the girls a Western Star of their own?

Gene Autry:  Producer of Annie Oakley

Gene Autry