Cowboys Ride Into Reagan Library: History, Hollywood, and the Code That Endures

(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Before there were superheroes or influencers, there was the cowboy — honest, tough and guided by a code. And at the Reagan Presidential Library, that enduring ideal is getting a spotlight.

Opening October 18, “Cowboys: History & Hollywood” is more than a showcase of saddles and silver screen nostalgia. It’s a 10,000-square-foot experience that brings together real-life ranch grit and Western movie magic — while gently reminding visitors what the Cowboy Code stood for: resilience, self-reliance, and doing the right thing even when no one’s watching.

Crews spent the week putting final touches on the exhibit, which features everything from 19th-century spurs and saddles to costumes worn on Yellowstone. But what makes this exhibit different is that it doesn’t just celebrate an image — it honors a mindset.

“There’s something for all ages,” said James Rogers, the Reagan Foundation’s Director of Digital Strategy and Marketing, during a media preview on October 16. “From the great cowboys of Hollywood to more modern pieces that younger generations recognize. It’s Americana, you know, it’s the beauty of our nation. And that’s something that I think cowboys epitomized. And there’s also a lot of history to it — a lot that people don’t know about, going back to origins in Latin America and different representations of cowboys around the world. So it’s educational as well.”

The exhibit includes a laser shooting range for kids, President Reagan’s iconic “Reagan red” Jeep from his ranch, and even a Robinson R22 helicopter, the kind now used to herd cattle. Fans of classic Westerns will find plenty to admire, including Roy Rogers’ legendary horse Trigger, faithful dog Bullet, and Dale Evans’ Buttermilk.

Other highlights include dozens of historic saddles, cowboy hats, firearms, and early 20th-century gear; iconic Hollywood props and costumes from classics like Gunsmoke, Annie Get Your Gun, and Back to the Future Part III; and a modern nod with Nope, Jordan Peele’s 2022 film that spotlights contemporary horse wranglers and the often-overlooked legacy of Black cowboys in Hollywood. 

Visitors will also find personal items from legends like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and President Reagan, along with unexpected touches like a cowboy-themed NSYNC tour outfit and a guitar signed by “God Bless the USA” singer Lee Greenwood.

For many of those involved, the heart of the exhibit lives in the code — a kind of unspoken ethos passed down through generations.

Dawn Moore, daughter of Clayton Moore — the original Lone Ranger — put it simply: “The important thing is resilience, it’s being self-reliant, it’s being accountable,” she said. “I think those three things are at the core of cowboy culture. And I think some of that is missing today. We need it back.”

Julie Rogers Pomilia, granddaughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, echoed the sentiment: “There was a moral compass, there were standards, and it wasn’t fake.”

Anita Swift, granddaughter of John Wayne and a leader in the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, also attended the preview event.

Reagan himself knew the value of that spirit. He didn’t just act like a cowboy — he lived like one, spending time on his beloved Rancho del Cielo.

“President Reagan embodied the cowboy spirit through his values of hard work, liberty and determination,” said Reagan Foundation President and CEO David Trulio. “This exhibition not only celebrates the cowboy as an American icon, but also reflects the leadership qualities that President Reagan held dear.”

This exhibit feels right at home in Simi Valley. Just a few miles away lies Corriganville Park — once the famed Corriganville Movie Ranch, where filmmakers shot more than 3,500 films and television shows, according to Visit Simi Valley. Westerns like Fort Apache starring John Wayne and Return to Warbow were among those filmed there, turning the local hills into Hollywood’s backlot frontier. The same canyons that once echoed with galloping hooves now welcome families who come to hike, picnic and revisit the roots of film history.

That same spirit of frontier values and family connection still runs deep here. Last year, the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce helped organize the Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion and Festival, drawing fans from across the country (and even the world) to celebrate the show’s legacy of courage, kindness and community, according to Visit Simi Valley and LittleHouseOnThePrairie.com. The Ingalls family’s pioneer resilience — and their simple code of decency — mirrors many of the same ideals found in the Cowboy Code.

Cowboys: History & Hollywood runs for six months. It’s fun, it’s family-friendly, and it might just leave visitors thinking a little differently about what it means to be strong, decent and free.

🎟️ Ready to ride? Get your tickets to Cowboys: History & Hollywood at the Reagan Library here.