‘Where Freedom Rides’: New rodeo exhibit coming to Gregg County Historical Museum

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - As America turns 250 this year, the Gregg County Historical Museum brings us a slice of Americana: the rodeo. We get a sneak peek at their coming exhibit, “Where Freedom Rides”.

For Gregg County Museum Director Jennifer White, the next temporary exhibit at the museum seemed obvious.

“It is actually to celebrate America 250. So, as we go into this year’s celebrations and parties you have to think about what America means, what it has become, and how we got here,” White said.

She believes some people in other countries think America and cowboy are synonymous.

“It’s the grit and the persistence and the endurance. And all of that comes from rodeo and is celebrated by rodeo,” White said.

White allowed a couple of visitors to see the unfinished exhibit. Combined, Julio Arriola and James Moore have 84 years in rodeo.

“It’s where it started. It started with a horse and a cow, and it kept going as of today. It’s still there. Family entertainment,” Arriola said.

“I think it’s wonderful. It shows the people who they are, what they are. It’s all about America and just how the people just come together,” Moore said.

Arriola is active with the Longview rodeo, Moore with Gladewater’s. But there’s no competition between the two. They agree East Texas rodeo has the same goal.

“Gladewater, Longview, Jacksonville, Henderson, Carthage, we all donate our money back to the community. And the people in the grandstands understand that so they come out in support,” Arriola said.

For some visitors the exhibit will bring back memories. For others it may be an eye opener.

“I am not familiar with the rodeo world. But the more I dig into it the more I am in awe of what they do,” White said.

In and out of the arena, because it ain’t their first rodeo.

White tells us they’ve been planning the exhibit for about a year. It opens February 17. The Gregg County Historical Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and Saturday 10 to 2. Admission is $5.