Hope You're Hungry

Fort Worth museum explores Mexican food in tasty new exhibit

A glimpse of the exhibit during its California run.

Photo courtesy of Exhibit Envoy

For anyone who's ever thought their abuela's cooking should be celebrated in a museum, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History agrees.

Its newest traveling exhibit, "Abuelita’s Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories," opens Sunday, February 9, and spotlights 10 Indigenous, Mestiza, Mexican-American, and Afro-Mexican grandmothers who have cooked, preserved, and passed Mexican food culture along.

The exhibit, which runs through May 11, focuses on the themes of identity, place, and cuisine by exploring the various dishes these grandmothers prepared in their kitchens, such as chiles en nogada, mole, tamales, and pozole, to name a few.

Each of the abuela’s stories is told through documentary film, audio stories, photographs, kitchen artifacts, and family recipes — no edible samples, unfortunately — all providing a deeper look at the impact of Mexican and Mexican-American women on the culinary traditions and unique culture of Southern California.

Here's the Fort Worth tie-in: The museum has partnered with such Fort Worth favorites as Los Vaqueros, Tokyo Cafe, Don Artemio, and Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez to share the stories and personal artifacts of local women who have made their own impact in the city's culinary culture.

"The narratives of Mexican and Mexican-American women have been underrepresented in museum collections," says a release from the museum. "By capturing the histories and family recipes of women who are immigrants, and non-English-speaking, we enrich our understanding and gain a deeper appreciation for the significant contributions these women have made to the food traditions of the United States."

Throughout the duration of the exhibit, visitors will have the opportunity to submit their own recipes, in person or online, to create a community cookbook that will be available to the public free of charge once the exhibit ends.

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am-5 pm, and Sunday, from 12-5 pm. Museum admission is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $12 for juniors, and free for children under two. "Abuelita’s Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories" is included with museum admission or membership.

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Museum News

Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth to add $19M upgrade including carousel

National Cowgirl Museum

A Fort Worth museum is getting a major upgrade: The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame will receive a significant 16,000-square-foot expansion with a new carousel, fashion gallery, and photo gallery.

According to a release, the $19 million expansion will include a stunning new entrance facing the iconic Dickies Arena, improving visibility and accessibility for guests visiting the area. A grand opening is slated for November 2026.

National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame Executive Director Pat Riley says in a statement that it's not just about being bigger.

“This expansion is not just about more space — it’s about deepening our storytelling, honoring Western women in more immersive ways, and creating unforgettable experiences for our visitors,” Riley says. “We are thrilled to welcome the community to a space that reflects the bold spirit of the cowgirl—innovative, fearless, and inspiring.”

Upgrades in the works include:

The addition of intricate bas reliefs of running horses, which will adorn the exterior of the building, paying homage to the spirit and strength of the cowgirls and horses that are central to Western heritage
A fully functioning one-of-a-kind carousel, designed and crafted by the renowned artisans at Barrango of San Francisco, to serve as both a dynamic visual centerpiece and an engaging experience for guests of all ages
A new fashion gallery showcasing iconic Western wear and the evolution of cowgirl style
A photo gallery that will spotlight powerful imagery from the past and present

Carousel at National Cowgirl MuseumCourtesy rendering

To support its growing popularity as a community gathering place, the expansion will also include an enlarged event space capable of hosting up to 250 guests, ideal for private functions, educational programs, and public events.

Returning to lend its singularly unique vision to The Cowgirl is Paris, France, based design architectural firm, Projectiles. The firm was key to the $5.5 million renovation of the museum’s second floor in 2018.

“The museum expansion represents a wonderful human adventure, with an exceptional climate of trust,” said Projectiles founding partner and architect Reza Azard. “We've been working with the institution for a dozen years, first redeveloping the existing spaces and now with the expansion project. For the museum, the expansion is a fantastic opportunity to create a unique and distinctive entrance to the museum, facing its own park and in dialogue with the Dickies Arena.”

Fort Worth-based Linbeck Construction serves as the general contractor to the project.

“Linbeck is thrilled to once again partner with the Cowgirl on their exciting expansion, having had the privilege of constructing the original facility they now call home,” said Linbeck President Thomas Cole. “We are honored to continue supporting an institution whose mission celebrates and documents the courage, resilience, and trailblazing spirit of women of the West. This expansion will further the Museum’s vision to inspire and empower future generations by sharing these remarkable stories. Linbeck is truly ecstatic to help advance the Museum’s mission and create a lasting impact for visitors and honorees alike.”

EwingCole, also based in Fort Worth, has been engaged as architect of record.

“I am honored to continue a 12-year relationship with the Cowgirl Museum on this meaningful expansion,” said Gannon Gries, Regional Director of EwingCole. “This project exemplifies our practice’s dedication to honoring history while shaping contemporary experiences, and reflects EwingCole’s culture of collaboration that is essential to realizing bold, enduring design.”

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