Photos from the Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection
Willard A. Porter, rodeo journalist and former rodeo director of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame between 1979 and 1986, was born in 1920 in New Jersey. He served as editor of the “Quarter Horse Journal” from 1949 to 1953 and was editor and publisher of “Hoofs and Horns” during the mid 1950s. Porter wrote a weekly rodeo column in the “Sunday Oklahoman” newspaper between 1930 and 1991. In 1982 his book “Who’s Who in Rodeo,” an informational work on the Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees, was published. Porter died at his home in Port Salerno, Florida on April 24, 1992.
The subject files, photographic materials, Rodeo Hall of Fame and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Championship Awards invitations and London rodeo research were Porter’s office files while employed at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The collection contains rodeo photographic postcards, rodeo programs, subject files and research on the 1924 and 1934 London rodeos. In addition to the rodeo photographic postcards, 62 passport photos from the 1924 and 1934 London rodeo are part of the Porter collection. Below are just a few of the items in the collection. Please also view the Guide to the Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection.
Prairie Rose at Walla Walla, Washington Frontier Days, 1914. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 2/Folder 10 2001.049.004Chariot race, Salinas, California, n.d. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/Folder 18 2001.049.001Hippodrome Race at Salinas, California Rodeo, n.d. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/ Folder 18 2001.049.002Real photo postcard of Buffalo Bill Cody, n.d. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/Folder 3 2001.049.003Paul Carney passport photograph for First International Rodeo, London, Wembley Stadium, 1924. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/Folder 2 #770Charles F. Hafley (California Jack) passport photograph for First International Rodeo, London, Wembley Stadium, 1924. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/Folder 2 #753Robert Hanna passport photograph for First International Rodeo, London, Wembley Stadium, 1924. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/Folder 2 #788George McIntosh passport photograph for First International Rodeo, London, Wembley Stadium, 1924. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/Folder 2 #768Dick Shelton passport photograph for First International Rodeo, London, Wembley Stadium, 1924. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/Folder 2 #735Tom and Bea Kirnan passport photographs for First International Rodeo, London, Wembley Stadium, 1924. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/ Folder 2 #730, #756
Ruth Roach passport photograph for First International Rodeo, London, Wembley Stadium, 1924. Willard H. Porter Rodeo Collection Box 1/Folder 2 #744
