Today’s agenda for the Wichita City Council includes consideration of a 2008 operating agreement for Old Cowtown Museum. It represents the city’s essential next step in assuming daily operation of and responsibility for the living history museum, which will remain a nonprofit organization with its own fundraising, collection management and board. Along with the Diamond W Wranglers’ dinner shows and the hiring early next year of a new director, the operating agreement should set the attraction on a stable new path. Having also agreed to invest nearly $3 million over three years to raise Cowtown’s health and safety standards, city leaders are doing their part to signal the high value they place on Cowtown as a cultural asset. The rest of the community will need to help ensure that Cowtown has a prosperous new year.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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11 Comments
“The rest of the community will need to help ensure that Cowtown has a prosperous new year.”
So Ronda, what does the Eagle have in plan for its birth place?
I am so there!
Probably will buy a season pass, as I like barbecue and good music. :)
I got to see the Diamond D Wranglers and part of their Christmas show. (courtesy of Todd Tiahrt’s campaign) a few weeks ago.
First time I was in Cowtown’s new welcome center. If Cowtown is smart they will build them their own building to perform in.
They plan to play there 8 or 9 months a year then go on the road promoting cowtown and Wichita, a win win situation!
I’ve changed my mind about “Cowtown”.
In the past, I’ve solidly defended it. But the prices for events are SO high for what essentially is a one time visit worthy attraction…
AS such, I no longer consider “Cowtown” a communtity asset and rather the plaything of the monied. Privatize the thing and be done with it.
Yep it is expensive! We save up all year just to visit it at Christmas time!
Also?
The historical period that “Cowtown” portrays is essentially at best a 20 year period in the middle-late 1800’s. Attendance has spoken and honestly that period is not all that interesting.
The real estate “Cowtown” is on would be a lovely addition to the truly public spaces. If a private interest cannot be found to fund the “attraction”, auction the buildings and contents and remove them.
I dont find Cowtown that expensive its cheaper than the Zoo, as a History buff i find it interesting, I hope that it continues to promote history and not Hollywood. And I agree with JR on one point unless there doing a special event theirs not a lot to draw repeat vistors very often, same is true with most museums.
The City Counsel had decided that it is in the publics interest to start a new entertainment business. It may be a horror show.
To watch them throw good money after bad, and taxpayers money into another money pit.
You will continue to attract visitors from the local area, but no 747’s will be landing to usher in visitors from afar. It will give all the local schools another field trip. But it’s still a hole that private business cannot make profitable. I guess government is better at that. (ha-ha)
Dream on and drain away.
Sure wish they would spend the money to fix our streets, curbs, and gutters. Pot holes cost money too, but they are not nearly as sexy.
You will continue to attract visitors from the local area, but no 747’s will be landing to usher in visitors from afar.Posted by: A. N. Keny
I can tell that you have not been down there lately and talk to the people working there.Believe it or not, they do get visitors from afar, some as far away as from Japan.This happens every year.
Cowtown is a great place! They have several special events each year.
Joyce and I have friends and relatives visit a lot. The Zoo is always a big hit and Cowtown is always a good place to kill several hours. Combined with a visit to onw of the other museums and lunch or dinner and you’ve killed a day.
Cowtown. History. A part of our culture. Embrace it!
If A N Keny had his way there wouldn’t be a damn thing in Wichita. Pessimissim like his is what destroys a city. He posted extensively on why we should do away with century 2. Now he says we should do away with cow town.
Why not destroy our history and our culture in one foul swoop? A N Keny’s museum, worship place and concert hall is probably a mindless, bland walmart that is the same as everyother town in the United States. If we do away with what makes our city distinctive that is all that we will have left.