The Don King Museum
Hidden away in northern Wyoming is a treasure of a museum dedicated to the art of leather work and western saddle making. The Don King Museum in Sheridan, WY is home to one of the best collections of historic western saddles in the US and is a tribute to the art of carving leather.
Started by noted saddle maker and leather artist Don King, the museum is the result of a lifetime of collecting saddles from the past to study both the construction and carving artwork made by saddle makers of the past. The collection goes beyond just saddles and includes western memorabilia, firearms and old leather tools.
The historic western saddles, some of which are over a 100 years old, are an inspiration for a leather craftsman like me. Not only can I see how they made things but also the carving and stamping designs they used back then are a great source of ideas for me as a leather artist. The techniques they used back then can still inspire someone and their own creations a century later. It’s definitely a place that I can spend hours in looking at the works of past western artists.
The museum also includes a section dedicated to Ann and Al Stohlman, pioneers in both the art of leatherwork and in teaching the craft to others. Al Stohlman partnered with the Tandy Leather Company in the 1950’s to bring out many books on leather work as well as tool designs for refining the art of carving leather. His ideas were revolutionary at the time and he and his wife Ann introduced leather carving to a much wider audience. Al Stohlman made an indelible mark on the art and craft of leather work that is still felt to this day. At the museum you can see some of his original creations, artwork that became the books he would publish and even his entire workbench and tools are on display.
As a leather craftsman walking through the museum is an inspiration. I’m not a saddle maker but I know enough to be able to appreciate the craftsmanship that went into these saddles and the different approaches to the artwork on them always gives me new ideas. It also is amazing to think that these works of art were also working cowboy gear that spent many years on the back of a horse in all kinds of weather riding the range. Oh the stories these saddles could tell!
You can find our more about the museum or the saddlery and rope shops by visiting their website www.kingssaddlery.com
I’m trying to find leather templates for a high back saddle from the 1900 Era, I have the tree , and wish to releather it.
Hi William, I’m not a saddle maker so I don’t have any templates for saddles. Are there any local saddle makers where you are? They might be able to help. There are also some active groups on Facebook for saddle makers that might be able to help.