MEDORA — “The North Dakota Hall of Fame (NDCHF) has become a major highlight of North Dakota with the cowboy way of life coming back strongly throughout the country. The hall has set record numbers this past year as far as viewers visiting the hall itself and interest across the state,” commented Don Schmid, Trustee of NDCHF, North Dakota rodeo judge, and board member for Miss Rodeo North Dakota.
The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame is located in Medora and pays tribute to the western heritage of North Dakota. Its mission is to preserve and educate the public about the western history and cultural heritages of the state’s Native American, ranching, and rodeo communities.
The Center of Western Heritage and Cultures is a 15,000 square foot facility that tells the exciting story of the plains horse culture and a way of life unique to the world. The complex was built and opened by the members of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame and features a theatre, galleries, interpretive areas, memorabilia, and meeting rooms devoted to the preservation of culture and heritage.
The NDCHF’s Annual Meeting is an event that takes place every year in February. It’s an occasion that encompasses supporters, enthusiasts, cowgirls, cowboys, ranchers, and the western way of life individuals that make up the culture.
"Valley City will be hosting the annual meeting for the first time ever. It’s a place in the state that hosts a lot more rodeo champions and ranching history than one may think. There have been plenty of really great champion bull riders and rough stock riders that came from the area, in my day, such as Bruce and Brent Smith and Darrel Hermanson,” added 2008 NDCHF Inductee (Rodeo Entertainment) and Board Member Steve Tomac.
The Eagles Club will be rolling out the red carpet for any cowboy or cowgirl at heart February 11 and 12. Friday night will feature a social, banquet, and live entertainment. Saturday will have induction nominees and speeches, plus North Dakota’s very own “Tigirlily” will take the stage that evening.
“The hall has had a number of East-meets-West smaller functions that have turned out really well. It will be nice to have both sides of the state involved in meeting at Valley City this year,” Schmid noted.
“The past few years has brought a real appreciation to the way of life North Dakotans get to live. I think most of us are realizing how truly lucky we are to live here, and it is really showing in organizations, such as the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame and how it is growing and gaining momentum around the entire state," stated Tomac. "It has been an exciting past few years to be a part of an organization that is constantly working and coming up with new ideas, exhibits, venues, etc."
The NDCHF is continually improving and adding exhibits to the hall with the guidance of Rick Thompson, Executive director, staff, and the generous support of North Dakotans. Voted America’s Best Cowboy Museum in 2010, the hall offers banquet and meeting room facilities and a 5,000 square-foot patio for a scenic and unique venue for any board meeting or event to take place. The NDCHF has also extended its hours this past year.
For more info on the NDCHF and the Annual Meeting, visit northdakotacowboy.com.
