Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum


The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States. The museum was founded in 1978. It is a 501(c) non-profit organization, dedicated to interpreting, conserving and exhibiting the history and material culture of Cheyenne, Cheyenne Frontier Days, the State of Wyoming and the American West. The museum features the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame. Permanent exhibits include Western horse-drawn carriages and wagons, the history and memorabilia of Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo celebration, local history of Cheyenne, pioneer artifacts and clothing, and Western and folk art. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum is home to the "World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration" with its permanent exhibit on the history of Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Clayton Danks, the winner of three CFD competitions prior to 1910, is the model cowboy on the horse Steamboat on the Wyoming trademark, the Bucking Horse and Rider. The saddle which Danks won in CFD competition in 1907 was donated by his surviving family members to the museum in September 2013.
Shirley E. Flynn, director of the museum from 1987 to 1991, penned the history of the Frontier Days celebration in her 1996 book Let's Go! Let's Show! Let's Rodeo! The History of Cheyenne Frontier Days.
WWW oldwestmuseum.org

Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame inducts individuals, livestock, and organizations who helped and continue to maintain the rodeo widely known as "The Daddy of 'em All." Everyone voted into the hall of fame "represents the competitive and cooperative spirit that has remained the hallmark of Cheyenne Frontier Days since 1897."

Hall of Fame Inductees

Class of 2020
Class of 2019
  • Terry “Buffie” Bottorff
  • Valerie Cegelski-McLeod
  • Billy Etbauer
  • Painted Valley
  • Bud Racicky
  • Bob Weaver
  • WHEELS
Class of 2018
Class of 2017
  • Darrell Barron
  • Ote Berry
  • Helen Bowen
  • Jerry Carter
  • Rod Hottle
  • James “Jim” Johnson
Class of 2016
Class of 2015
  • Spiro “Sam” Contos
  • W.E. Dinneen Family
  • Reva Gray
  • Kay Jessen
  • Ty Murray
  • Bob Romer
  • Dr. Norman Swanson
Class of 2014
  • Dr. Frank Barrett
  • CFD Western Art Show Committee 1981-2013
  • Elizabeth “Liz” Escobedo
  • Harrison Halligan
  • Ken McCann
  • Hank Thompson
Class of 2013
  • Albert “Whitey” Christensen
  • Tucker Fagan
  • Vianna Gurney
  • Dick Sherman
  • Jeremy Sparks
  • Earl Vandehei Family
  • The HEELS of Cheyenne Frontier Days
Class of 2012
  • Kiwanis Club of Cheyenne
  • Marvin Leff
  • Romeo Entertainment Group
  • James A. Storey Jr.
  • Randy Wagner
  • William McKinley Wilkinson
  • D.R. Whitaker Ranch Families
Class of 2011
  • Chuck Baley
  • Ray Boeshart
  • Ralph Buell
  • Carol Farthing
  • Margaret Irwin
  • Dr. Donald Kougl
  • Enid Lummis & Family
  • Montie Montana
  • William “Obie” Obermeier
  • Dick Pickett
  • Don Stanfield
Class of 2010
  • Tom Bauman
  • Garth Brooks
  • Floyd Carroll
  • Brad Churchill
  • Louise Cole
  • April & T.V. Jones
  • Ronda Mahan
  • John Morris
  • Kent Rutledge
Class of 2009
  • Hadley Barrett
  • Buddy Bensmiller
  • Shirley Churchill
  • Floyd & Diane Humphrey
  • Charles “Sharkey” Irwin
  • Dean Oliver
  • Ned Murray
  • Phil Van Horn
Class of 2008
Class of 2007
  • Willits A. Brewster
  • Roy Clark
  • Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce
  • Buddy Lytle
  • John “Jack” Mabee
  • Ikua Purdy
  • Orville Strandquist
  • Tillard Family
Class of 2006
Class of 2005
Class of 2004
Class of 2003
Class of 2002
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