Explore ranching history and Western heritage in a hands-on, engaging way through a dynamic lineup of annual events, programs and workshops. From artist-led sessions and educator workshops to exhibit receptions featuring special guests and speakers, each experience offers a deeper connection to the stories we share.

At a Glance:

Toddler Tuesdays | Every Tuesday at 10:30 AM

Summer Trolley Tours | May 16 to August 15 (weather permitting)

  • Mondays and Tuesdays at 11 AM
  • Wednesdays at 2 PM
  • Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 AM and 2 PM
  • Sundays at 2 PM

Living History Saturdays | Every Saturday from May 23 to September 26

Upcoming Activities & Events

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Art of the West | Ranch Life Summer Series

Discover how artists have captured the people, landscapes, and traditions of the American West for generations. Through hands-on activities and interactive learning, kids will explore historic and contemporary Western art and create their own masterpiece inspired by ranch life.
Join us in the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center on Saturday, August 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ranch Life Summer Series programs are free to the public.

Time:

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

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Cowboy Craftmanship | Ranch Life Summer Series

Discover the art of leatherworking with a hands-on activity! Kids will learn how leather has been used on ranches for generations and create their own leather craft to take home.
Leatherworker Buz Sickler will guide take-home leather crafts in the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center during this come and go event on Saturday, July 11 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Ranch Life Summer Series programs are free to the public.

Time:

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Pricing:

Free!


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Cows Up Close | Ranch Life Summer Series

Lust Angus will have their cattle in the pens of the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center amphitheater Saturday, July 18, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for your chance to come and see live cows and learn how ranchers manage cattle on a ranch during this come and go program.
Ranch Life Summer Series programs are free to the public.

Time:

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Pricing:

Free


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Exhibit Opening: The Evolution of the American Rifle

Join us for a special opening of our newest exhibit, “The Evolution of the American Rifle: The Ralston Winchester Firearm Collection.”

Explore the history, craftsmanship and innovation behind one of the most influential firearms in American history. Often called “the gun that won the West,” the Winchester rifle played a pivotal role in shaping life on the frontier. This exhibit highlights its evolution through time, showcasing the artistry, engineering and cultural impact of these historic firearms.

Be among the first to experience this remarkable collection and take a closer look at the tools that helped define the American West.

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026

Time: 11:30 AM

Time:

11:30 AM

Pricing:

Free


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From Fleece to Fabric | Ranch Life Summer Series

Discover how natural fibers have been transformed into useful items for ranch and home life for generations. Join fiber artist Joy Getha Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM as she demonstrates the journey from raw wool and other natural fibers to finished textiles, sharing the history of spinning, weaving, and the many animals that provide fiber, including sheep and goats. Kids will get a hands-on opportunity to explore different fibers by touch and create their own small weaving to take home.

Ranch Life Learning programs are free to the public.

Time:

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Pricing:

free


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Horsin’ Around | Ranch Life Summer Series

Meet one of the ranch’s most important partners—the horse! Join experienced horsemen for a live ranch horse demonstration and learn how horses help ranchers manage livestock and navigate the land. Get an up-close look at ranch horse skills and discover the important role these animals play in ranch life during this come-and-go event.
Join us in the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center amphitheater for the demonstration on Saturday, August 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ranch Life Summer Series programs are free to the public.

Time:

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Pricing:

Free


Living History Saturdays

Living History Saturdays

History comes to life every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Foy Proctor Historical Park at the National Ranching Heritage Center! Ranch Host volunteers will be dressed in period attire to answer questions, perform living history demonstrations, and give tours of selected structures.

Activities will vary depending on volunteer availability and interest.

Living History Saturdays will through September 26, 2026.

Living History Saturdays are free to the public.

Time:

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. every Saturday

Pricing:

Free


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Rain on the Range | Ranch Life Summer Series

See what happens when rain falls on different types of land with Borden County 4-H’s interactive rainfall simulator. Discover how healthy pasture grasses help absorb and hold water, reduce runoff, and keep the land thriving for livestock and wildlife.
Join us in the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center Saturday, July 25, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for this come and go event.
Ranch Life Summer Series programs are free to the public.

Time:

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Pricing:

Free


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Ranch Technology Summit

Join fellow ranchers and technology companies to learn how producers are successfully using new technologies to improve efficiency, profitability and ranch operations.

When: Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 5 PM

Where: National Ranching Heritage Center | 3121 4th Street, Lubbock, TX

Schedule

  • 8:45 AM –Welcome
  • 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM – Five panel discussions exploring:
    • Soil Health & Carbon
    • Pasture Management & Biodiversity
    • Infrastructure & Water Management
    • Herd & Cattle Management
    • Supply Chain & Natural Capital
  • 12:00 PM – Chuck Wagon Lunch
  • 3:30 PM – Networking Reception

Time:

8:30 AM - 5 PM

Pricing:

free

Purchase / Register


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Sculpting the Western Horse & Rider Workshop with Jason Scull

Explore the timeless relationship between the horse and rider through sculpture in this immersive three-day workshop with renown Western sculptor Jason Scull. Working from a live model, participants will learn the fundamentals of proportion, anatomy and composition while creating an authentic representation of the American West.

Through instructor demonstrations and personalized guidance, students will explore armature construction, clay application techniques, anatomical accuracy and the sculpting of mounted figures. This workshop is open to all skill levels and is designed to help participants build confidence while developing their sculpting skills.

Date: September 8–10
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily
$500 per person (includes lunch each day)

Class Size: Limited to 12 participants

Workshop Schedule

Day One

  • Learn the proportions of the horse and human figure
  • Build an armature for your sculpture
  • Watch a live sculpting demonstration
  • Begin sculpting from a live model

Day Two

  • Continue sculpting with instructor guidance
  • Learn saddle construction
  • Demonstration on sculpting the mounted rider

Day Three

  • Refine and complete your sculpture
  • Receive one-on-one instruction and feedback

Medium

Oil-based clay

Supplies

Participants are responsible for bringing their own supplies.

Recommended Materials

  • 10 lbs. of brown Chavant Le Beau Touché HTR oil-based clay (or a clay of your preference)
  • 20 feet of 1/8″ aluminum armature wire
  • Pipe fittings for armature construction
  • 14″ × 18″ × 3/4″ cabinet-grade plywood base
  • Ten 3/4″ wood screws
  • One-inch drywall screws
  • Sculpting tools

Where to Purchase Supplies

  • Clay: Brown Chavant Le Beau Touché HTR is available through Reynolds Advanced Materials (www.reynoldsam.com).
  • Armature wire: Available through Amazon.
  • Pipe fittings: Available from SupplyHouse (www.supplyhouse.com). A detailed list of required fittings and part numbers will be provided upon registration.
  • Plywood: Check with a local cabinet shop, as they may have suitable leftover cabinet-grade plywood.

This workshop includes daily demonstrations, hands-on instruction, and individualized feedback throughout the three-day experience. Participants will leave with new techniques, greater confidence, and a completed sculpture inspired by the American West.

Time:

Date: September 8–10
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily

Pricing:

$500 per person (includes lunch each day)

Purchase / Register


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Strings Through Time | Ranch Life Summer Series

Discover the craftsmanship and skill used to create historic fiddles. Robinson Strings will demonstrate the processes of creating these culturally significant instruments by hand. Join us in the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center Saturday, Aug. 8, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Why are fiddles important? When early immigrants traveled overseas, many brought with them their musical traditions primarily played on the fiddle. Fiddle music played an essential role inthe cultural life of 18th-century Americans as it was commonly played at home and in public. Fiddles continue to be popular instruments in Western music.
Ranch Life Summer Series programs are free to the public.

Time:

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Pricing:

Free


Summer Trolley Tours Photo

Summer Trolley Tours

Travel back in time through the National Ranching Heritage Center’s 19-acre historical park! Trolley tours provide a unique opportunity for guests to learn about the rich history of the park’s authentic ranching structures and the stories of people who left their legacies. The Foy Proctor Historical Park at the NRHC features 55 authentic ranching structures dating from the 1780s to the 1950s. They have been disassembled, relocated and arranged chronologically in the park to tell the story of the birth, growth and maturity of the ranching industry in the United States.

May 16 to August 15 (weather permitting)

  • Mondays and Tuesdays at 11 AM
  • Wednesdays at 2 PM
  • Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 AM and 2 PM
  • Sundays at 2 PM
Tours are free of charge and run approximately 30-45 minutes. Reserve your spot at the front desk when you arrive at the NRHC. Each trolley tour can seat 21 guests.
For questions or additional information, visit ranchingheritage.org or call (806) 742-0498

Trolley tours are made possible by The CH Foundation.

Time:

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11 AM
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 AM and 2 PM
Sundays at 2 PM
*Weather permitting

Pricing:

Free

Purchase / Registration:

When you arrive to the NRHC, reserve your spot on the trolley at the front desk.


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Tracks & Trails with Author Jefferson Marshall | Ranch Life Summer Series

Mountain lions and mule deer and bears, oh my!
Jefferson Marshall, author of the popular Texas State Park Adventures book series, is coming to the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center on August 22, with presentations at 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Enjoy wildlife trivia and activities, music, and books in this event.
Featured on Texas Country Reporter, Marshall brings with him a plethora of knowledge about native wildlife that call our Texas State Parks and ranches home through fun and engaging activities.
Ranch Life Summer Series programs are free to the public.

Time:

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Pricing:

Free