Black Cowboy Museum

How many cowboys do you think were Black? Here at the Black Cowboy Museum in Rosenberg, Texas, we uncover a hidden history. The museum, founded by Larry Callies, aims to dispel the whitewashed tale of cowboys. Callies, a former cowboy and country music singer, felt a divine calling to open the museum in 2017. The Black Cowboy Museum is packed with artifacts dating back to the early 1800s. You’ll find everything from vintage irons and sewing machines to black powder guns and saddles. There’s even a hall of fame dedicated to notable Black cowboys, including Callies’ own family members. Callies himself leads tours, sharing fascinating insights. He often starts with a question: “Where does the word ‘cowboy’ come from?” The answer reveals a history rooted in slavery. During that era, Black men were called “boys,” regardless of their age. They were house boys, yard boys, or cowboys – those who worked with the cows. White men refused the term “cowboy” until Hollywood romanticized it much later. The museum’s collection tells the stories of figures like Bass Reeves, the real inspiration for the Lone Ranger. Reeves was the first Black deputy marshal west of the Mississippi and apprehended over 3,000 outlaws. The Black Cowboy Museum also honors Bill Pickett, a Black rodeo performer who invented bulldogging (steer wrestling). He even performed with Buffalo Bill Cody. The museum’s popularity has grown steadily, drawing visitors from all over. It was even featured on the Netflix documentary “High on the Hog.” The Black Cowboy Museum is more than just a collection of artifacts. It’s a testament to the rich, often overlooked contributions of Black cowboys to American history.