Founded in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 1, 2001, by Jim and Gloria Austin, this museum and hall of fame honors the diverse communities that shaped the Western frontier, especially those often overlooked in familiar frontier narratives. Originally established as the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame, it adopted its current name in 2008 to reflect a broader mission. Its Hall of Fame began inducting honorees in 2003. Permanent exhibits feature figures such as Bass Reeves and Bill Pickett and highlight traditions and groups including the Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, Native American heritage, and Hispanic vaquero and escaramuza traditions, presenting the American West as a multicultural story.