Cowgirls of the West Audio Tour
Expiration: 365 days after purchase
Welcome to Cowgirls of the West!
We’re thrilled to have you here in historic downtown Cheyenne. This audio tour will guide you through stories of grit, determination, and trailblazing women who helped shape the American West. From rodeo arenas to homesteads, these cowgirls—and the artifacts they left behind—tell a powerful story of strength and spirit.
Let’s ride into history together!
Included Venues
See locations on an interactive map.
Celebrate the untold stories of the women who helped shape the American West, and the women who had the passion to ensure their legacies would live on through artifacts, photos, and powerful stories right in the heart of downtown Cheyenne.
Step into the world of a pioneer woman starting a new life on the plains. Her trusty sewing machine—on display here—made the journey by wagon and became her tool for survival and self-reliance.
This original switchboard from the historic Plains Hotel was in use from 1911 to 1970—an impressively long run for its kind. When it opened, the Plains was the first hotel in the U.S. to offer a telephone in every room. Still operating just a few blocks from here, the hotel remains a Cheyenne landmark.
This unassuming belt tells a powerful story of early rodeo cowgirls. Known as a bronco belt, it was designed to protect women’s internal organs during rough stock events like bronc and bull riding. Though well-intentioned, it offered little relief from the brutal rides. Still, these tough women rode on—some starting families, others sacrificing greatly for the sport they loved.
Meet Jackie, dressed in her dazzling blue evening dress and official Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo Dandies gear. The Dandies are a group of skilled young women who ride synchronized patterns on horseback to open each rodeo performance with style and spirit.
On February 14, 1870, Esther Hobart Morris made history as the first woman Justice of the Peace in the United States—right here in Wyoming. Despite opposition from her husband and others, Esther stood firm in her role. Known for her fairness and resolve, not a single one of her rulings was ever overturned. A true trailblazer in American justice.
These collectible dolls began as simple, creations made by Mary Dwyer McAboy of Montana in the early 1900s. What started as a heartfelt tribute to Native figures from her childhood grew into a nationwide phenomenon. With hand-crafted features and tribal-inspired attire, each Skookum doll reflects the charm and spirit of early 20th-century American folk art. “Skookum,” a Chinook word meaning “very good,” became their name—and a fitting one at that.
Laundry day in the late 1800s was no small task—this wooden box is an early washing machine, and it ran on elbow grease, not electricity. Back then, doing the wash meant an entire day of soaking, scrubbing, wringing, and drying by hand. A far cry from tossing a load in and hitting “start”! This humble machine is a powerful reminder of just how far household chores have come.