Fort Worth National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Undergoing Interior Renovations - Opening Summer 2015 to Feature Annie Oakley Hologram and Gun

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame – the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women of the American West who have displayed extraordinary courage in their trailblazing efforts– has begun renovation of its galleries and public spaces. The renovation will be done in two phases, starting with the first floor, which will include two new galleries and an interactive mobile in the Grand Rotunda. Renovation of the first floor is already underway and scheduled to reopen summer 2015.

Exhibits on the first floor will convey the historical significance of the cowgirls who performed in the Wild West shows from the 1880s to early 20th century. In the new Wild West Gallery visitors will be able to view archival footage projected on several hanging glass screens and colorful images of Wild West posters. Glass showcases specifically designed to reflect curves of femininity will feature rare artifacts including Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show parade flag, interactive activities for adults and children, as well as computer-enhanced archival photographs that uniquely bring the time period to life. Through the magic of hologram technology, Annie Oakley, one of the Museum's most iconic and celebrated Honorees, will come alive and share her story in her own words. Oakley's wedding ring and gun will also be featured in the gallery.

Inside the Grand Rotunda, a colorful mobile comprised of 100 moving pieces, featuring many women in the Hall of Fame will complement the Honoree medallions on the Rotunda walls. The top elements of the mobile will be still photographs; video footage of the Honorees will be projected on the bottom elements. The Museum will be able to reprogram the bottom projected elements to create added value for those who book the Grand Rotunda for a special event.

The Museum is working with three international firms. Projectiles, an architectural firm based in Paris, France; Goppion, museum display case designers based in Milan, Italy; and Electrosonic, an international audio-visual design and engineering company based in Burbank, Calif. Local contractors, Linbeck Group, Bennett Benner Partners, and The Projects Group are also on the project along with local artist, Janice Hart, who is creating a life-size statue of Annie Oakley that will display Oakley's gun.

“We are excited about the renovation and consider the new elements works of art that the public won't want to miss,” said Patricia Riley, Executive Director, National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. “These improvements will enhance our ability to tell the inspiring stories of the strong women showcased in our Museum.”

The second floor will close for renovation in early 2016 and is scheduled for completion in the fall. The second floor will transform into an expansive gallery, which will pay homage to the vast wide open spaces of the American West. The Museum will remain open to visitors throughout construction. This will mark the first makeover for the 33,000-square foot, two-story facility since it opened in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2002.

To keep up with the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame renovation process, visit www.cowgirl.net, and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NCMHOF, Twitter at www.twitter.com/cowgirlmuseum, Instagram www.instagram.com/cowgirlmuseum, Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/cowgirlmuseum, and YouTube at: www.youtube.com/user/cowgirlmuseum.

Projectiles

Projectiles is a young architecture firm located in Paris France, made up of two architects and an interior designer. They emphasize practices that stand alongside fields of art and architecture. They interplay between these disciplines, allowing them to probe the codes underlying their profession and to achieve the ultimate goals of their activity.

The firm has worked on projects at The Center of The Arts and Culture of Lebanon in Beirut, Lebanon, and The National Museum of Nancy, France. Most notably, they were principles on The Gallery of History of “Chateau de Versailles,” in France in 2013, and the “Jean-Paul Gaultier” exhibition seen worldwide including Dallas, Madrid, and London.

The firm's accolades include the 2006 New Album of Young Architects from the Ministry of Culture; 2nd place in the International Design & Communication Awards of New York for the Jean-Paul Gaultier exhibition; and special mention for design of the French Pavilion in 2014.

Goppion

Goppion S.p.A. designs, develops and builds display cases and museum installations. Goppion's adventure began in 1952 in Milan after World War II as a small glass-making workshop. Founder Nino Goppion, an engineer, had various clients, including Ferrero for whom he made thousands of display cases for bars and shops. Business was booming and the company went from creating single display cases to manufacturing entire installations for shops and then making a name for itself as a pioneer in exhibition design.

Today, the company is a partner that works alongside curators and exhibit designers to resolve all museum exhibition issues with dedicated engineering solutions that have come about thanks to our experience collaborating with some of the most famous architects and museums throughout the world. New and prestigious projects keep the company busy on all continents while collaborations with some of the most important museums in the world – the Louvre, the British Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston – have led to more continuous relationships. The display case created for the Mona Lisa in 2005 garnered the company worldwide fame.

Electrosonic

Electrosonic is a worldwide audio-visual company with extensive experience in designing, project managing, engineering and supporting AV systems and products. Founded in 1964, the company has always been among the first to apply new technology to create tailored, state-of-the-art solutions that meet the challenges of the professional AV market. With 50 years of experience working on complex projects, both large and small and in multiple geographic territories, Electrosonic has developed a reputation that is unsurpassed in the industry. Many of Electrosonic's projects have been recognized with key industry and sector awards. Electrosonic aims to develop lasting relationships by working in partnership with their customers and suppliers and all others involved in the project.

Linbeck

Linbeck is a Texas-based, construction management company offering Construction Management at-Risk, Design/Build, Integrated Project Delivery and related construction services. Since the firm's inception in 1938, the company culture is based on integrity and trust. Using its integrated, collaborative TeamBuild® approach and Lean Construction, Linbeck helps clients minimize risk and waste with construction practices that achieve optimal business outcomes.

Two industry-leading publications, Engineering News Record (ENR) and Building Design & Construction, rank Linbeck among the top construction managers and building contractors in the US. Linbeck operates offices in Houston, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, Texas with projects throughout the US. Since 1989, Linbeck has won 14 AGC Build America Awards and was awarded the Grand Award for the 2010 top construction project, Dallas's Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. (www.linbeck.com)

Bennett Benner Partners

Bennett Benner Partners is an architecture and planning firm focused on thoughtful, meaningful design solutions through collaboration and personal service. The firm provides sustainable architecture, urban design and planning, interior design and landscape architecture services. Bennett Benner Partners has been based in Fort Worth for nearly 60 years.

The Projects Group

Established in 2002 by a group of seasoned design and construction professionals, The Projects Group offers comprehensive program and project management services to companies, non-profit organizations and institutional entities needing to augment their Client/Design Team. Our hallmark is the proven ability to manage unique, architecturally significant and highly technical projects such as museums, performance halls, higher education facilities, LEED construction, and other culturally significant projects.

National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West, and fosters an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire. The Hall of Fame's purpose is twofold: to preserve the history and impact of western women living from the mid-1800s to present day, and to foster an appreciation for their ideals and spirit of self-reliance. These women are the legacy of legends — artists and writers, champions and competitive performers, entertainers, ranchers (stewards of land and livestock), trailblazers and pioneers. The Museum is considered an invaluable national educational resource for its exhibits, research library, rare photograph collection, and award-winning distance-learning programs for grades K-12 and adults.

Located at 1720 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, the Cowgirl is open Monday (Memorial Day to Labor Day) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for children ages 3 to 12 and senior citizens (60+) and $10 for adults (ages 13+). For more information, please visit www.cowgirl.net or call 817-476-FAME (3263).

The FWCVB is the official destination marketing organization of the 17th-largest city in the United States, dedicated to promoting Fort Worth as a premier business and leisure destination with thriving centers of culture and commerce. Known as the “City of Cowboys and Culture,” Fort Worth is a destination with a rich Western heritage and a dedication to urban renewal. The city is home to the famed Stockyards Historic District, the lively downtown Sundance Square and a renowned Cultural District complete with the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the Kimbell Art Museum. For more information, visit www.FortWorth.com.