National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame Announces Major Expansion Project

16,000-square-foot addition deepens storytelling and enhances visitor experience in Fort Worth’s Cultural District.

Fort Worth, TX (June 2025) – EwingCole is proud to partner with the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame on a transformative 16,000-square-foot expansion that honors the spirit of Western women while redefining the visitor experience. The $19 million project, slated to open in November 2026, will elevate the Museum’s role as a cultural landmark and community destination in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District.

Designed by EwingCole and led by our Fort Worth office, the expansion enhances the Museum’s connection to the surrounding district with a bold new entrance facing Dickies Arena, improving visibility and accessibility for guests. The architectural approach blends reverence for Western heritage with immersive storytelling through dynamic, multi-sensory elements.

At the forefront of the design is a dramatic series of bas-relief sculptures depicting running horses, an emblem of the strength and freedom embodied by the women celebrated within the Museum’s halls. Inside, a custom-designed carousel crafted by San Francisco-based Barrango anchors the experience, offering both artistic appeal and intergenerational engagement.

“I’m honored to continue a 12-year relationship with the Cowgirl Museum on this meaningful expansion,” said Gannon Gries, AIA, Regional Director at EwingCole. “This project exemplifies our practice’s dedication to honoring history while shaping contemporary experiences and reflects EwingCole’s culture of collaboration that is essential to realizing bold, enduring design.”

The expansion introduces new and reimagined experiences for guests, including:

• A fashion gallery showcasing iconic Western wear and the evolution of cowgirl style
• A photo gallery chronicling the lives and legacies of cowgirls throughout history
• An expanded event space accommodating up to 250 guests for public programs, private rentals, and educational offerings

By designing flexible, storytelling-rich environments, EwingCole helped the Museum extend its mission in new and imaginative ways. The design creates immersive and meaningful opportunities for guests to engage with the stories of pioneering women who have shaped the American West.

We want to extend our gratitude to our collaborating partners, PROJECTILES, Linbeck Group, LLC, The Projects Group, and the museum leadership, for bringing this vision to life.

This project continues EwingCole’s legacy of shaping cultural and community spaces across the country, and our longstanding partnership with the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame as the architect of record reflects our shared values of legacy, education, and public engagement.