CummingHome.com Your free local source for news, events, and business in and around Cumming, GA

Young or old, a quick trip west of Cumming on Hwy 20 will land you in Cartersville, GA, where you can step back in time to experience the lifestyles and stories of the wild west at the Booth Western Art Museum. A Smithsonian affiliate, the Booth Western Art Museum has the largest collection of Western Art in the country. When it opened its doors in 2003, it was an 80,000 square-foot facility. Now encompassing 120,000 square feet, the Booth Western Art Museum has seen over 250,000 visitors since its opening.

The Booth Western Art Museum was started with an anonymous gift from a local family and named after business mentor Sam Booth. The museum curator, Jim Dunham, is an expert on Western History and has served as a consultant for movie producers and has even appeared in major motion pictures such as Tombstone. Dunham can be seen in the PBS Special The American Experience – Wyatt Earp, airing January 25th. Jim also portrays Kid Rio for the museum, and he along with Executive Director Seth Hopkins, provide tours.

The museum features large collections of Western Art by Frederick Remington, George Cantlin, Charlie Russell, and Andy Warhol. Booth Western also boasts the largest collection of living western artists as well. According to Dunham, the Hall of Presidents is one of the most popular displays in the museum, but visitors also enjoy touring the “stories” of the Native Americans, Early Settlers, and Cowboys represented. A special children’s section, with interactive displays is also included and the 6th Annual Kids Cowboy Up Art Exhibition, featuring artwork by the Cartersville Boys and Girls Club and Hands of Christ After School Program, is going on now through January 10th.

The Booth Western Museum plays host to a number of events each year, including The Southeastern Cowboy Gathering and The Cowboy Symposium. Event space is available in the museum for up to 275 people. For more information about current exhibits, directions, and hours of operation, visit The Booth Western Museum website at www.boothmuseum.org or call (770) 387-1300.

Site Classifieds: museums