This summer at the Library we explore all things cowboy, with an eye to both the past and the present day, in books, presentations, and images. Join our tour of all things cowboy, and gain a deeper understanding of the cowboy as part of the West, then and now.
Cowboy culture in Colorado has a certain romantic appeal that embodies the myths and stories of the American expansion in the West. But what is the truth behind the myth? This site provides intriguing looks at the “real” cowboy, stripped of any romance! New Perspectives on the West: Cowboys
COWBOYS AT THE LIBRARY
Active Minds Seminar, Wednesday, August 14, 6:30 pm
Explore the story of the American Cowboy. Take a peek behind the mythology and explore the origins of the cowboy. Trace the development of the American Cowboy and its influence upon this part of the country.
On The Same Page Community Read Program
The Last Cowboys: A Pioneer Family in the New West
by John Branch, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist and Author
“A grand and compelling work of reporting that offers deep insight into American ritual and tradition. An unforgettable book by one of the finest reporters of our time, The Last Cowboys is a moving tribute to an American way of life.” – Library catalog
“Remarkable … [The Last Cowboys] has an uncommon ambition: it’s a story not just of rodeo, but of the contemporary West.” -New York Times Book Review
Lafayette Public Library Art Galleries
Rodeo with the Last of the Cowboys by RoseMarie London
Colorful, close-up action shots of rodeo life in rural America.
South Upper Gallery, through August 29.
Rural Still Lifes by Ken Sanville
Images of a Western way of life in the country where everyday vessels and musical instruments rest together in harmony.
North Upper Gallery, September through November 30.
Cowboy Reading: The Best Darn Western Books
This mix of books provides a broad view of cowboy lore, myth, and reality.
- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford by Ron Hansen
- The Hell Bent Kid by Charles O. Locke
- Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
- Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
- Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
- Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
- Hondo by Louis L’Amour
- The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt
- My Ántonia by Willa Cather
- True Grit by Charles Portis
- The Son by Philipp Meyer
- The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
- Lonesome Animals by Bruce Holbert
- Close Range: Wyoming Stories by Annie Proulx (includes the short story Brokeback Mountain)
And finally, the cowboy spirit in Colorado today…..
Beyond the National Western Stock Show: Rodeos in Colorado
Take a taste Colorado’s cowboy spirit at rodeos that feature bull-riding, steer wrestling and livestock competition, as well as concerts and contests.