EwingCole Celebrates Opening of Transformative National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame Expansion

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FORT WORTH, TX (November 2026) – The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame celebrated the grand opening of its $20 million expansion, ushering in a new chapter for one of Fort Worth’s most distinctive cultural institutions. Designed in collaboration with EwingCole and Paris-based architecture firm PROJECTILES, the 16,000-square-foot addition redefines the museum’s architectural identity and visitor experience, creating new opportunities to celebrate the remarkable women shape the West.

The opening culminated several days of celebrations, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the museum’s 50th Annual National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Country music star Miranda Lambert joined the festivities to debut Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo, a new exhibition featuring wardrobe and memorabilia from her Las Vegas residency. The collection marks the debut of the museum’s new Icons Gallery, celebrating influential women who continue to shape Western culture.

Located in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District, the expansion establishes a bold new presence for the museum. A reoriented entrance facing Dickies Arena improves visibility and connectivity to surrounding cultural destinations, creating a more inviting and accessible arrival experience. Sweeping bas-relief sculptures of galloping horses animate the new façade, evoking the enduring relationship between Western women and horses in Western history. The dynamic composition reflects the independence, strength, and movement that define the cowgirl spirit, transforming the building itself into an expression of the stories told within.

“A museum’s architecture should be part of the story it tells,” said Gannon Gries, AIA, regional director at EwingCole. “Here, the building becomes an expression of the independence and strength of the women it celebrates, creating a more meaningful connection between the museum, its visitors, and the surrounding community.”

Inside, the expansion brings Western history and culture to life through immersive storytelling, interactive exhibits, and spaces designed for learning and community engagement. An 18-horse carousel, custom-designed by San Francisco-based Barrango, serves as a central attraction and features a chariot and artwork by Fort Worth artist Catherine Cartie. New galleries accommodate permanent and rotating exhibitions, while dedicated educational spaces support K–12 programming and workshops. The Icons gallery explores the evolution of Western style, while a photography gallery captures the lives and legacies of cowgirls throughout history. A flexible event venue accommodating up to 250 guests provides space for lectures, celebrations, and community gatherings, broadening the museum’s programming and opportunities for public engagement.

“This expansion transforms how we tell the remarkable stories of hundreds of women through thousands of objects,” said Pat Riley, executive director of the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. “Visitors can expect more immersive experiences, compelling exhibitions and new opportunities to connect with the courage, determination and spirit of these extraordinary women. It sets the stage for the next 50 years of storytelling, discovery and inspiration.”

The project’s successful completion was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the entire project team, including Dunaway Associates, Datum Engineers, Summit Consultants, Novum, The Projects Group, and Linbeck.

The expansion brings together a shared commitment to preserving the museum’s legacy while preparing it for the future. The result is a distinctive cultural destination that invites new generations to discover, celebrate, and draw inspiration from the women whose courage and independence helped shape the American West.