Conestogas, Cattle and Cacti: Western Furnishings from the Permanent Collection

Furniture Gallery

February 4—September 3, 2012

The exhibit will provide a sampling of the types of furnishings and decorative art people from this region sat on, slept in, hung on their walls and placed on shelves, mantels and pedestals since 1876. Some objects included are recent acquisitions and have never been exhibited by PPHM.

Treasured family heirlooms often comprised the sole furnishings in the homes of many early settlers to the region. The need for additional furnishings resulted in the adaptive reuse of local materials, particularly animal hides and horns. Symbolic of the vanishing American frontier, this furniture became widely popular throughout the country during the late 19th century.