Major expansion planned for Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth to add 16,000 square feet of new space
Fort Worth, Texas – The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is preparing for a major expansion that would grow its footprint by 16,000 square feet, creating new opportunities for public engagement and honoring women of the West in even greater depth.
Expanding to Engage More Visitors
The proposed expansion project will extend west of the museum’s existing structure in the Fort Worth Cultural District and will feature a new entrance facing Dickies Arena and Alice Walton Cowgirl Park. The design includes four additional gallery spaces and a second-floor event space that can accommodate up to 250 guests. This event area is expected to enhance the museum’s ability to host special events, ceremonies, and educational programs.
The museum, which operates on City-owned land under a long-term lease agreement, opened its current 33,000-square-foot facility at the Will Rogers Memorial Complex in 2002 after moving to Fort Worth in 1994. The organization itself was founded in 1974 and remains the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women who have shown extraordinary courage and pioneering spirit in the American West.
Funding and Timeline for Completion
To make the expansion a reality, the museum has already raised more than $13.5 million of the projected $19 million total cost. Organizers are seeking an additional $6.5 million from the City of Fort Worth to help fund the remaining portion of the project.
Permits and necessary approvals for the expansion have already been obtained. Preliminary work, such as relocating a transformer and staff parking areas, is underway. If all remains on schedule, construction on the new wing is expected to begin in May 2025 and will continue through the summer of 2026.
The museum anticipates opening the expanded facility in time for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in October 2026, offering a reimagined experience for guests and providing more room to celebrate the bold legacy of women in the West.
