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Welcome, educators! We can’t wait to help your students discover The Cowboy!

What is the American West? If you’re looking to extend learning beyond the classroom, we provide several programs that bring that history to life, from the cowboy era to Native American cultures and Western art.

With hands-on activities and interactive displays, students will gain a deeper understanding of historical events, cultural traditions and artistic achievements.

Find the perfect tour, program, or event for your classroom and let your students find their place in the West!

School Tours & Programs

Animal Tales
Elementary

Animal Tales

Foster imagination and critical thinking through animal folklore! Engage with tall tales, fables, legends and stories that impart lessons, values, insights and creative explanations for nature.

(45-minute tour)

Reading Roundup
Elementary

Reading Roundup

Saddle up for this adventure as a storytelling cowboy shares the kind of character needed to survive the Wild West. Bring your cowboy spirit because these stories will leave you wanting more!

(60-minute program)

American Cowboy
Elementary

American Cowboy

Trace the heart of cowboy culture from its vibrant origin story to the adrenaline-pumping world of modern rodeo. Compete in a cattle drive challenge and identify the tools and technology on which survival depends. Leave with an understanding and deep appreciation for what the cowboy represents

(60-minute tour)

First Americans
Elementary

First Americans

This land is the ancestral home to many First American nations. The arrival of immigrants introduced new trade items and materials for daily use, however it also brought about the loss of land and lifeways. Explore these defining challenges and the perseverance of Native people and culture.

(60-minute tour)

People on the Move
Middle School

People on the Move

Discover the forces that expanded a nation through the dreams, challenges and motivations that sparked westward movement and settlement. The results transformed America’s landscape, added to its complex history and continue to impact our society.

(60-minute tour)

Western Legends and Modern Legacies
Middle School

Western Legends and Modern Legacies

This is your ticket to the dusty trails, thrilling tales and iconic legends. Meet the flesh and blood heroes whose skill and character exemplify the Code of the West. Reflect on their legacies and how they inspire and apply to us today.

(60-minute program)

Masters of Western Art
High School

Masters of Western Art

Study the artists who defined Western art and the contemporary visionaries shaping its future. Dive into the techniques and stories behind these great works. Optional add-on includes video of a Prix de West artist sharing encouragement and advice for art students.

(60-minute tour)

Oklahoma History
High School

Oklahoma History

Journey through time with Indigenous cultures, pioneer life, cattle ranching, the oil boom and statehood. Meet people and experience events through stories and artifacts that shaped Oklahoma’s unique heritage.

(60-minute tour)

Self-Guided Tours
All Grades

Self-Guided Tours

Teacher-directed tours are welcome anytime. Think about the Museum as an extension of your classroom. Create your own lessons, scavenger hunts, and self-guided field experiences or utilize one of the Museum’s inquiry-based gallery guides to explore. When you schedule your visit, staff can provide suggestions.

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Teacher Resources

The Dickinson Research Center

The Dickinson Research Center

The Dickinson Research Center (DRC) is a specialized library and archive dedicated to preserving and providing access to an extensive collection of materials related to the American West. It includes significant documents, books, periodicals, films, photograph, oral histories and more. The DRC offers public access to its collections, as well as assistance in academic research, to engage and inform guests about the significance of the American West in national and global contexts.

Digital Discovery
For Teachers

Digital Discovery

This dynamic collection of video content is built upon the Museum’s art, artifacts and exhibitions. Each piece of content is crafted to complement and enhance your educational objectives, making history resonate with today’s tech-savvy learners. With Digital Discovery, you’re connecting students to the experts and history makers that define Western heritage!

Traveling Trunks

Traveling Trunks

Whether setting the stage for a Museum visit or enhancing your curriculum, Traveling Trunks are the perfect resource. They include artifacts, tools, clothing, images of artwork from the Museum’s collection, primary source activities, assessment suggestions, and story books to share with students. Best of all? They’re yours to borrow – free of charge! Simply pick them up and return them when you’re done. Don’t miss this opportunity to bring history to life in your classroom!

American Cowboy Trunk Content

Native American Trunk Content

Group Size and Chaperone Requirements

A minimum of 15 students is required for all group visits. The group leader is responsible for the entire amount due at the time of check-in and group members may not pay individually. Large parties paying individually do not qualify for discounted group pricing. Payment may be made with cash, check, credit card, or purchase order. Coupons or discounts cannot be used with the group rate. One chaperone for every seven students is admitted free of charge. Additional adults over and above this ratio will be charged admission.

Admission Rates
Students: $6
Chaperones: $10
Lunch Facilities

The Museum’s Annie Oakley Society Event Center is available for school lunches. Reservations are required. Groups without a reservation are not guaranteed a space to eat. All food or drink must be provided by the group.

The Museum Grill can prepare lunch for your group (assorted sandwich trays); to make arrangements, call the Museum’s Visitor Services Manager at (405) 443-3742. The Museum Grill is open Monday – Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

How to Schedule your Visit
Reservations are required for all group tours and are on a first-come, first-served basis. To receive reduced admission, you must schedule your visit in advance with the Museum. Admission fees are payable on the day of your visit. One chaperone for every seven students receives complimentary admission..  Call for a curriculum consultation and see how we can work together. To schedule a trip, call (405) 443-3742 or email programs@nationalcowboymuseum.org for more information. Before you visit, please review museum etiquette with your students. We look forward to your students visiting the Museum and want them and other guests to enjoy their visit.
Museum Etiquette Rules/Chaperone Responsibilities

We strive to provide a valuable, educational and fun experience at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. In order to do so, we ask teachers to share the following museum etiquette with students and chaperones prior to their visit. Upon arrival, a staff member or volunteer will greet the group to review the rules. Teachers and chaperones in the group are responsible for following and upholding these guidelines.

  • Backpacks, purses and other parcels larger than 15″ x 10″ x 9″ will not be allowed in the galleries. These items will need to be left on the bus or at the Visitor Services Desk.
  • Be respectful of other museum visitors
  • Use your inside voice
  • Do not run to protect yourself and our collections
  • Stay with your assigned group
  • Follow the photography signs posted in each gallery space
  • Do not eat or drink in the galleries to help us keep out pests
  • Leave your backpack at Visitors Services or with the lunches
  • Do not touch art and artifacts to help us preserve them
  • Enjoy the gardens, but remember to leave the flowers and foliage for other visitors
  • Remember to ask questions, explore, and have fun!
  • Turn off, silence or refrain from using cell phones during tours.

Students gain more from their visit when adequately supervised. To ensure the safety of the group, as well as other Museum visitors, we require that teachers and chaperones be with students at all times. Students left unsupervised will be brought to the front entrance by a Security Officer and asked to wait until their adult leader returns. Please be aware that unruly groups will be asked to leave the Museum and no refunds will be given.

Canceling your Visit

If you must cancel a tour, please leave a voice-mail message with the Director of Membership and Guest Services  at (405) 443-3742 within 48 hours of your scheduled visit. A cancellation fee of $30 may be billed to the business office of those groups failing to make a cancellation. (This does not apply to weather related incidents

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