San Angelo's Fort Concho celebrating western heritage with two events

Fort Concho in San Angelo will host two events celebrating western heritage on the weekend of July 27-28, according to a news release.

On July 27, National Cowboy Day comes to the fort at 630 S. Oakes St. with a western art show in the Quartermaster Galleries.

The doors open at 9 a.m. for a light breakfast, followed by a talk at 9:30 a.m. on the show by San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts Curator Laura Huckaby. At 10 a.m., the Concho Cowboys will perform one of their programs outside. Events are free and open to all. The art show will remain open that day until 4 p.m.

"National Cowboy Day is celebrated across the nation, honoring this unique American figure," according to the release. "In the late 1800s, cowboys were black, white and Hispanic, male and female, playing a major role in the development of the American West after the Civil War."

On July 28, Fort Concho with the Buffalo Soldier Memorial will celebrate National Buffalo Soldier Day, as well as the one-year anniversary of the Buffalo Soldier Memorial placement to the city’s historical attractions.

The day’s program will begin at 2 p.m. at the memorial across the street from Fort Concho with a presentation by Sherley Spears, past president of the local NAACP chapter and founder of the memorial project dedicated July 28, 2023.

"The July 28 date is significant as it represents the date on which the Act of Congress was signed that created the all-black regiments of the United States Army, eventually nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers” by their Native American foes," the release stated.

At 2:30 p.m. the program shifts to the fort’s commissary where C. A. Maedgen of the West Texas Archaeology Society will speak on the Concho Mail Station.

Refreshments will be available. The program is free to all.

For more information about either event, contact Fort Concho at 325-481-2646 and check the website at fortconcho.com.