Did you know that one of four cowboys who went on the trail was Black? Black Cowboys: An American Story explores the lives and work of the numerous Black men, women and children – enslaved and free – who labored on the ranches of Texas and participated on cattle drives before the Civil War through the turn of the twentieth century.
This powerful exhibition returns to the Witte Museum and features artifacts, photographs and documents depicting the work and skills of Black cowboys. Black Cowboys: An American Story offers insight into legendary cowboys, a clearer picture of the Black West and a more diverse portrait of the American West.
Be transported through time to meet a variety of real Black cowboys and appreciate their deep impact on American History. Discover how they tamed and trained horses, tended livestock and rode on the trail with thousands of cattle across America.
Hector Bazy, portrayed by distinguished actor and playwright Eugene Lee, provides a first-hand account of his experience in the exhibition. Born enslaved on a plantation in Grimes County, Texas in 1851, Bazy wrote an autobiography in 1910, describing the exhilarating and dangerous work of cowboy life.
The role of Black cowboys evolved over the 20th century as Black cowboys used the skills they learned on the ranch and trail to own their own ranches, serve as lawman, ride in rodeos, become singers and perform in movies. Today, the lives and legacies of Black cowboys have inspired new generations to explore the past through music, film, fashion and design.
