New exhibition takes kids on a cowboy trail rideJoshua’s Journey
October 8, 2005 to January 22, 2006
at the Canadian Children’s Museum
Gatineau, Quebec, August 4, 2005 — Yeeeehaaaw! Mosey on over to the Canadian Children’s Museum where your young ones can experience life on the open range. Visitors join Joshua Loper’s first trail ride on the Chisholm Trail and experience the hardships, struggles and joys of a true cowboy. Kids can rope a calf, don authentic western wear and take a turn on the bucking bronco in Joshua’s Journey: a Black Cowboy Rides the Chisholm Trail, open Saturday, October 8 through January 22, 2006 at the Canadian Children’s Museum, inside the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Exhibit Overview
Joshua’s Journey brings to life the Scholastic Dear America® book, The Journal of Joshua Loper, A Black Cowboy. Visitors will follow Joshua’s adventures as he leaves home at age sixteen to drive a herd of cattle on the Chisholm Trail that leads northward from Texas. Joshua’s Journey shows the ethnic diversity that has rarely been seen in western movies but was part of the historic cattle drives of the late 1860s through 1880s.
Exhibit Features
Before beginning the trail ride tour, visitors learn about the young cowboy Joshua, and read his personal journal entries. Showcases display genuine gear and clothing that enabled cowboys to work and survive on the trail, such as a Mother Hubbard saddle, bridle, rope, Navaho saddle blanket and canteen. A Stetson hat, branding irons, large rowel spurs, boots and shotgun chaps help bring Joshua’s story to life.
Ranch Life
Life on the ranch required hard work and unique skills. This stop in the journey provides visitors with a taste of ranch life — past and present. At the Try-On station, children can sport Western hats, boots, chaps, bandannas and work shirts. The Branding Area reveals the importance of branding cattle and the history behind the practice. Kids can recreate a famous brand or produce their own using magnetic letters, numbers and shapes. In the Rope a Calf area, guests can rope a runaway dogie (a young calf), from atop a stationary horse.
On the Trail
Life on the trail was challenging. Through Joshua’s journal, visitors gain an understanding of the long, gruelling days Joshua experienced as a trail hand and the social aspects of trail life. At an authentic Chuck Wagon, kids can role-play cooks as they grind coffee, organize ingredients and prepare dinner at the chuck box. Children can gather around the “campfire” and listen to the sounds of the prairie at twilight. The bravest cowpokes can try their hand at riding a life-sized Bucking Bronco.
Legacy
Cowboys are not just figures from the past. Many people in North America and elsewhere still practice and live the cowboy way of life. Inside the Legacy “barn” guests can view a video and read a variety of books providing insight into historical and modern cowboys and cowgirls.
Exhibit Background
Joshua’s Journey was created by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in partnership with Scholastic®, the Youth Museum Exhibit Collaborative, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, and the Cattle Raisers Museum. The Canadian Children’s Museum is the only Canadian member of the nine-museum Youth Museum Exhibit Collaborative which produces high-quality educational traveling exhibitions for children in North America.
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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