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Summer Museum Travel: Cowboys and Presidents

June 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM | 1 Comment

With plenty of hip museums in and around LA, the Museum of the American West in Griffith Park is not usually high on the itinerary. Essentially a shrine to cowboy culture, the museum's drab permanent exhibits are far less interesting than the aging Will Rogers wannabes who show up dressed in full Western gear, right down to the boots and spurs.

But this year's election-themed special exhibit is worth a trip for both Wild West lovers and political junkies. The exhibit traces how the cowboy image has shaped US electoral politics, from Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders to George W. Bush and his brush clearing in Crawford. Visitors are left with the realization that you can't get to the White House without having at least a little John Wayne in you--hence Cowboy Obama, above).

Cowboys and Presidents is on display at the Museum of the American West through September 7, before heading off on a national tour.

Related Stories:
· Cowboys and Presidents [Official Site]
· National Cowboy Museum is a Hoot [Jaunted]

[Photo: throwthedamnthing]