Welcome

The Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center serves as the library and archives of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Its mission is to preserve and document the heritage of the American West for the enrichment of the public.

The Dickinson Research Center is actively pursuing collections of personal papers and business and organizational records that reflect and document aspects of Western history, culture, and art. The Center primarily seeks materials in the following five topical areas: Entertainment (Western popular culture), Western Art, Ranching, Native American, and Rodeo. Please contact the Director, Gerrianne Schaad, if you have materials you are interested in donating.

Many photographs can be found in the Image Archive Database. Information about archival collections can be found in the Finding Aids.

The Research Center is open to the public Monday through Friday, 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., and other hours by appointment, except for Federal holidays. If you have questions or wish to make an appointment, please contact us at 405-478-2250, ext. 276, or AskArchives@nationalcowboymuseum.org.

Address:
Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
1700 NE 63rd Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
Fax: (405) 478-6421
AskArchives@nationalcowboymuseum.org

Gerrianne Schaad, Director
gschaad at nationalcowboymuseum.org
(405) 478-2250, Ext. 273

Karen Spilman, Librarian
kspilman at nationalcowboymuseum.org
(405) 478-2250, Ext. 276

Laura Anne Heller, Electronic Archivist
lheller at nationalcowboymuseum.org
(405) 478-2250, Ext. 290

Processing Archivist

Research Center Events & Exhibits

Current Exhibit in Osborn Photography Studio: Flying High and Crash Landing: Bull Wrecks in Rodeo
Bull riding is an exciting sport for audiences to watch and is one of the most popular events in rodeos today. People love to see a cowboy ride a bull for the required eight seconds, but there is a thrill in watching wild and crazy wrecks. Cowboys, bulls, and bullfighters flying through the air or crashing to the ground make audiences gasp. Rodeo photographers have captured some spectacular airborne rides that show the all too painful landings. The photography of Ralph R. Doubleday, Devere Helfrich, and Bern Gregory create a fun-filled, gut-wrenching exhibition of some of the most amazing wrecks ever photographed.

Current Exhibit in Atherton Alcove: Reese's Pieces: The Art & Life of William F. Reese
Born in Pierre, South Dakota on July 10, 1938, William F. Reese characterizes his work as post impressionist with a touch of expressionism. After a near death experience in 1970, Reese determined to pursue an art career and quit the sign painting business. He began his long association with the Museum in 1977 as a guest artist at the National Academy of Western Art Annual Exhibition, now called the Prix de West Exhibition. Reese passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at his home in East Wenatchee, Washington. View a preview video on Youtube for this exhibit.

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