Wild West's Black Cowboys Featured In Gilcrease Museum Exhibit

A new exhibit at the Gilcrease Museum shows a different side of what it was like to be a cowboy in the 50s. The Chisholm Kid cartoon strip display features an African-American cowboy hero.

The Chisholm Kid is the lone fighter for justice for all - and the Gilcrease's newest exhibit. Mark Dolph is the Curator of History.

The Chisholm Kid was a comic strip that debuted in August of 1950 and lasted for a little over four years.

"It was part of an eight-page color comic strip insert in The Pittsburgh Courier, the premiere African-American newspaper of the day," said Mark Dolph, Curator of History.

The strips were basically lost to history until someone found a suitcase in the attic full of old Chisholm Kid comics. He was portrayed positively and gave readers someone to idolize who looked just like them.

"Look how the Chisholm Kid is presented. He's got a white hat; he's wearing red white and blue. He's an all-American hero," Dolph said.

The exhibit has the evolution of the comic strip and other items like Fredrick Remington's painting "The Stampede." There's information on the West's black cowboys like Bill Pickett, and all the while the music of Sonny Rollins is playing in the background.

The exhibit is open through the middle of March, and there are special events you can find on the museum website.