The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute today announced its new exhibition, “Cowboys: History & Hollywood,” which will run through April 19, 2026. The exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the reality and the cinematic allure of the American cowboy—an enduring symbol of strength, self-reliance, and freedom.
Blending true Western history with Hollywood mythmaking, the 10,000-square-foot exhibition will feature authentic gear, rare photographs, historic artifacts, and memorabilia from classic Western films that shaped the cowboy image we know today. Visitors will discover how the cowboy became a cultural icon whose influence extends far beyond the open range.
“It’s a privilege to present an exhibition that explores both the history and the Hollywood magic of the American cowboy,” said David Trulio, President & CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. “President Reagan himself embodied the cowboy spirit through his values of hard work, liberty, and determination. This exhibition not only celebrates the cowboy as an American icon, but also reflects the leadership qualities that President Reagan held dear.”
The upcoming exhibition explores how the work of cowboys has changed, from riders on horseback to today’s modern animal management. Visitors will see how herding methods have advanced from dusty trails to helicopters and ATVs. Additional highlights of “Cowboys: History & Hollywood” include:
- Dozens of historic saddles, cowboy hats, firearms, and other cowboy equipment from the 19th and early 20th centuries;
- Roy Rogers’ Trigger and Bullet, the beloved horse and dog that became television legends, along with Rogers’ wife Dale Evans’ horse, Buttermilk;
- I c o n i c Hollywood costumes, objects and artifacts from Yellowstone, Gunsmoke, Back to the Future Part III, Nope, and Annie Get Your Gun;
- Items belonging to John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and President Ronald Reagan, showcasing their connection to the cowboy image;
- President Reagan’s 1953 Willys Jeep CJ-6, which he drove at Rancho del Cielo; – An NSYNC tour cowboy costume;
- Autographed guitar of Lee Greenwood, “God Bless the USA” singer;
President Ronald Reagan once said, “I seem to remember a famous country and western song warning mothers not to let their babies grow up to be cowboys… The song forgot that cowboys can sometimes grow up and be President.” To learn more about the cowboy way of life and how President Reagan himself embraced the cowboy persona, purchase tickets to this upcoming exhibit on the Reagan Library website, reaganfoundation.org.
