Interested in Wild West? Whoa Daddy! You Need to Check this place Out!

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Hey Friends!

Last Friday I had the opportunity to visit a fascinating place in the Atlanta area.  I drove up to Cartersville, Georgia to the Booth Western Art Museum.  This museum is located about 50 miles north of Atlanta on I-75.

We left Atlanta around 10:30 am and arrived in Cartersville at 11:30 am, and the one hour trip was not bad at all.  The traffic was manageable and the views of the mountains and fall foliage were incredible.  Once we ventured off the interstate onto Allatoona road, my riding partner start doing that banjo song from Deliverance. He told me to double check the GPS to be sure we didn’t end up like that guy.   It was all good though, because once we hit Gilmer street, civilization came into view.

On that Friday morning,  there was plenty of parking and no wait to get inside of the museum. Before I even walked into the gates, I knew I was in for an amazing experience because right inside the gates on the front lawn were bronze statues of cowboys, Indians, horses and a totem pole. Each had placards indicating how the person fit into the Wild West. I am still in awe of the talent of these artist.

The first thing we did when we entered the building was visit the small theater room.  In here,we watched a 15 minute film, “The American West”  that provided information about how the West was formed and how some of the artist were inspired to create the masterpieces.  The film was very informative and it made me want to learn and see more about the wild west.

If you’re anything like me, you grew up watching Gun Smoke, Bonanza and  John Wayne Westerns.  The artwork at this museum really brought those memories back and made me realize that living in the wild west was not glamorous and not for the faint of heart.  I don’t know if I would’ve made it.

This museum has 3 floors full of exhibits depicting the stories across America – in particularly the West.  What I enjoyed most was the incredible details on many of the statues.  It was stunning how close the artist come to capturing the realness of a person.  At one point, I said if this statue moves, I’d surely have a heart attack.

Besides, capturing the West, the Booth contains artwork that depicts Civil War battles.  In the War Is Hell Gallery, there’s a painting called, “War is Hell” which is a oil painting of General Sherman and his troops burning Atlanta.  To be honest, I toured this room rather quickly before I got caught up in my feelings.

In the Modern West Gallery, I marveled at the artists’ creativity working with different mediums.  There’s one exhibit made totally of paper.  It is made with so much detail that I know it must’ve taken them years to complete.  It would have taken me years anyway.

Speaking of John Wayne, they could not have a Western Art museum without featuring him in some way.  In the Modern West Gallery, there is a statue of him seated on a charging, complete with the eye patch.

Another exhibit that I was completely in awe of was the Stagecoaches.  Who has actually seen a stagecoach in real life? I hadn’t.  My first reaction was, “Oh I bet their butts were sore!”  Back then they only cared about getting from point A to point Z and comfort wasn’t in the equation.  My second reaction was, “Good thing they traveled light,” because there was no room for a lot of luggage, maybe a carry-on.

If you get hungry, there is a small cafeteria for your dining pleasure.  There is also a nice gift shop with decently priced souvenirs.  I enjoyed this museum immensely and I think you will too. It’s full of statues, paintings, busts and artifacts that transports you back to the Wild West.  It made me appreciate those who forged ahead to make America great. It made me sympathize with the plight of the Native American Indians and it made me glad to be living in this century.

Now, this museum is open Tuesday-Sunday and the hours vary.  The adult ticket prices are $12, Seniors – $10 and Students – $9. Children under 12 are free.    When we arrived, there were about 60 kids there on a field trip, but even so, it wasn’t crowded.

So, if you’d like to experience the Wild West, mosey on up to Cartersville to the Booth Western Art Museum.  You’ll be glad you did.  When you go, come back to comment on your experience, or if you’ve already been, did you enjoy it as much as I did?

Come back now, ya’ hear!

Vanessa