FORT WORTH, Texas (April 4, 2017)—To mark the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail, the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau (FWCVB) will host a media kickoff event Wednesday, April 5th at 9:30 a.m. at the Chisholm Trail Mural in Sundance Square Plaza.

The Chisholm Trail route was used in the post-Civil War era to drive cattle in Texas to Kansas railheads. Fort Worth was the last stop for rest and supplies in Texas on the Chisholm Trail. Between 1866-1890, drovers trailed more than four million head of cattle through Fort Worth and spurred the city’s growth.

“This is an important part of our Western heritage that’s celebrated twice-daily with the Fort Worth Herd cattle drive,” said Bob Jameson, FWCVB president and CEO. “We are honored to celebrate this anniversary with our partners who have curated fantastic exhibits and events dedicated to the 150th that continue to tell the story of the Chisholm Trail.”

The FWCVB and the Tarrant County Historical Commission coordinated efforts among local museums and cultural organizations to promote a series of exhibitions and events celebrating the 150th anniversary throughout Fort Worth. A special Chisholm Trail website produced by the FWCVB, FortWorth.com/ChisholmTrail150 features special anniversary content and information about partner events and exhibitions such as:

  • Sid Richardson Museum “Hide & Horn on the Chisholm Trail” exhibit
  • Orchard Theater of Texas “Spirit of the Trail” musical
  • Special exhibits and programs at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art

The kickoff event at the Chisholm Trail Mural in Sundance Square Plaza will include a certificate or recognition presented by Mayor Betsy Price to the Tarrant County Historical Commission and Texas State Historical Commission for their work in preserving the memory of the Chisholm Trail. Orchard Theater of Texas will perform an excerpt from their musical, “Spirit of the Trail,” produced in celebration of the 150th anniversary and the FWCVB will debut a special Chisholm Trail 150th logo. Guest speakers include:

  • Texas Historical Commissioner, John Crain
  • Tarrant County Historic Commission Chairman and Director of the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Chisholm Trail in Texas in 2017, Steve Myers
  • Fort Worth Historian and retired FWCVB president and CEO, Doug Harman

Chisholm Trail 150th commemorative buttons featuring the new logo will be available at the downtown visitor information center (508 Main St.) after the event through the end of the year for free, while supplies last. To learn more about the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail and for a full list of special events and exhibitions, visit FortWorth.com/ChisholmTrail150.

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The FWCVB is the official destination marketing organization of the 16th-largest city in the United States, dedicated to promoting Fort Worth as a premier business and leisure destination with thriving centers of culture and commerce. Known as the “City of Cowboys and Culture,” Fort Worth is a destination with a rich Western heritage and a dedication to urban renewal. The city is home to the famed Stockyards Historic District, the lively downtown Sundance Square and a renowned Cultural District complete with the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the Kimbell Art Museum. For more information, visit www.FortWorth.com.