Clark County Museum to round up Western truths, tales in new exhibit

Growing up, Dawna Joliff remembers playing with toy guns mirroring old Western television shows and the depiction of cowboys and American Indians.

"There was this fascination with (cowboys and American Indians) in the late 1800s through the 1970s," said Joliff, the exhibit curator at the Clark County Museum. "It died out after that."

Through media, society developed perceptions of the two groups -- some fact and others fiction.

The Clark County Museum, 1830 S. Boulder Highway, is expected to address those issues with its new exhibit "Cowboys and Indians: Myth and Reality," which is scheduled to be on display Feb. 7 through June 28.

Joliff believes the fascination, which resulted in countless novels, movies and shows dedicated to the interactions between cowboys and American Indians, derived from the image of the vanishing frontier.

"People had a romanticized view of it," she said. "The cowboy looked like a gun-toting knight of the plain who stood for everything good."

Joliff added that the American Indian was also part of the romanticized view.

"People thought that they were going to die out back then," she said. "But we have about 4.5 million American Indians."

Along with facts and photos, the exhibit is slated to feature items associated with cowboys and American Indians alongside artifacts that might be more true to the groups.

Joliff has collected anything from toys used by children in the '40s, '50s and '60s to Western wear such as cowgirl vests and boots.

"We also have some beautiful authentic pieces," Joliff said. "We have a beautiful rope made out of horsehair that's over 100 years old and an authentic (horse) bridle and bit."

In her journey to collect items, Joliff has talked to cowboys and Native Americans to research, and at times dispel, some of the thoughts about the groups.

"There is one (myth) where a cowboy always wears a six-shooter on a holster," Joliff said. "I was talking to my friend and he said wearing a holster all the time would rub you raw. They would most likely have the holster on the horn of a saddle."

She learned that cowboys weren't necessarily good shots and might opt out of a common pistol for a rifle.

When discussing the topic with a friend who is a Pueblo Indian, he said he is always asked if they live in a tepee.

"They think all Indians live in tepees," Joliff said. "So we are going to dispel some of the myths and talk about what might have brought them on."

In addition to interviews, Joliff has also done online and book research to get the most accurate information.

The exhibit not only is scheduled to delve into the past but also look at where cowboys and Native Americans are now.

"We want to show people what they are doing today so they don't think they died out," she said. "We still have cattle ranches, of course. My Native American friends want people to know they have a culture still."

She added that there are craft and art fairs that feature works from American Indians that people can visit to see their modern culture.

The exhibit is scheduled to have a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at the museum.

"We always try to come up with an appropriate food item to match the exhibit," Joliff said. "We made the joke about doing beans and beef jerky."

Visitors can see the exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for seniors and children.

For more information, call 702-455-7955.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 702-387-5201.