National Ranching Heritage Center

Celebrate the Ranch's milestone 50th birthday in style with The Legacy Scarf, uniquely designed by our friends at Fringe Scarves with imagery from the historical park and collections that preserve our ranching heritage. This special scarf honors the legacy of those who came before us and the generations who will follow.

Purchase your limited edition 50th anniversary scarf exclusively at Cogdell's at the Ranch!

https://cogdellsattheranch.com/products/50th-anniversary-rha-scarf?_pos=1&_psq=legacy&_ss=e&_v=1.0

The Ranch will be 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, in preparation for the 12th Annual Summer Stampede Western Art & Gear Show presented by Capital Farm Credit.

Normal hours will resume Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Educators, don't miss out on this incredible workshop with our friends at Cattle Raisers Museum!

Register today at: https://form.jotform.com/261094344871056

Join us for an exciting Ranch Life Learning Teacher Workshop on Thursday, June 18!

Space is limited. Register at https://www.jotform.com/form/261094344871056.

“Anytime you have something that a grandparent and a grandchild together can get really interested in, I think you’ve hit a home run. I feel like that’s what the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center does. Then also, it’s so good that kids and grownups that haven’t been around ranching can spend an afternoon there with all the acres of history and can really enjoy that. It’s authentic. There’s really not any hype or propaganda or anything artificial. It's the real deal.”
~ Joe Parker Jr., Ranching Heritage Association Board Member

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟱𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. Dedicated in 1976, the National Ranching Heritage Center has served as a steward of ranching history, bringing the story of cow country to life for generations through authentic structures, educational initiatives and community events. As we celebrate 50 years of preservation and interpretation, we honor the people, partnerships and enduring values that have shaped our legacy and continue to guide our mission forward.

We are only a few days away from the 12th Annual Summer Stampede Western Art & Gear Show presented by Capital Farm Credit!

Take a peek at the beautiful Western art and handcrafted gear available in the silent auction. We're honored to feature some of the nation's finest Western artists and gearmakers as part of this cherished celebration.

Although tickets are sold out, you can still appreciate the artwork online at https://events.handbid.com/lp/summer-stampede-western-art-and-gear-show/items

“Talent isn't what separates the great from the average, effort is." ~

𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵. 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵 RanchingHeritage.org 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦. 𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 7 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬!

𝗖𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲

The Last Stand of Three Troopers and a Scout Overtaken by a Band of Hostile Indians, a colored half-tone print by Frederic Re*****on for Harper’s Weekly, depicts three cavalrymen and one scout locked in a desperate final stand.

The four men fire outward at a distant group of mounted Native Americans while surrounded, with three horses lying wounded or dead, emphasizing the intensity and hopelessness of the moment.

Come see this art and plan your next visit at ranchingheritage.org

Take a ride with us this summer! Trolley tours provide a unique opportunity for guests to learn about the rich history of the park’s authentic ranching structures and the stories of people who left their legacies.

Summer schedule: May 16 to August 15 (weather permitting)
‣ Mondays and Tuesdays at 11 AM
‣ Wednesdays at 2 PM
‣ Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 AM and 2 PM
‣ Sundays at 2 PM

Tours are free of charge and run approximately 30-45 minutes. Reserve your spot at the front desk when you arrive at the NRHC. Each trolley tour can seat 21 guests.
For additional information, visit ranchingheritage.org or call (806) 742-0498.

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘏 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗛.𝗖. 𝗭𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗿𝘆

The day’s work was not always finished when the sun began to fall behind the horizon. Often, the last ride of the evening led back toward headquarters.

In Coming to Headquarters, H.C. Zachry captures that familiar return. Garland Weeks rides slightly ahead while Phil Guitar follows close behind, both moving steadily toward camp after another day on the ranch. There is no drama in the scene, only the steady confidence of cowboys who knew the land, their horses, and the work waiting for them tomorrow.

Plan your next visit to the ranch at ranchingheritage.org!

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Among them are two men whose stories are forever woven into the history of two of our historic structures — the Barton House and El Capote Cabin. Their lives remind us that the places we preserve hold the stories of people, families, service and sacrifice.

We remember Corporal Joseph James Barton Jr. (1889–1918), son of Joseph James Barton Sr. and Mary Harlan Barton. Born in Milam, Texas, on the T.L. Ranch. He grew up on the South Plains, witnessing his father build an elegant home, known as the Barton House. When his nation called, Barton left behind his West Texas home and ranching life to serve with the 360th Infantry, 90th Division in World War I. On November 4, 1918, at the age of 29, CPL Barton was killed in action, just seven days before the armistice ended the war. He now rests in the Plainview Cemetery, a reminder that peace often arrives at a profound cost.

We also honor Private First-Class Noble Collins Jr. (1944–1968) of Guadalupe County, Texas. Collins was the son of Noble Collins, Sr. and Lydia B. Henderson, African American sharecroppers and the last known occupants connected to El Capote Cabin. In 1967, Noble answered the call to serve during the Vietnam War as an infantryman with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Less than three months after arriving in Vietnam, PFC Collins was killed in action during ground combat in the Thua Thien Province on February 25, 1968. He was 24 years old. Today, he rests at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery and his name is forever etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Today, we remember these men and all those who gave what Abraham Lincoln called “the last full measure of devotion.” Their stories live on, not only in stone and timber, but in memory, gratitude and the freedoms their sacrifice helped protect.