Photographs from the iconic miniseries bring Western history to life in Huntsville through May 4, 2025
HUNTSVILLE, TX – The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library will present “Lonesome Dove,” an exhibition produced by The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University’s Alkek Library, presented in partnership with Humanities Texas, the state affiliate for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
“Lonesome Dove”—Larry McMurtry’s epic novel of two aging Texas Rangers who drive a herd of stolen cattle 2,500 miles from the Rio Grande to Montana to found the first ranch there—captured the public imagination and has never let it go. The “Lonesome Dove” miniseries, which first aired on CBS in 1989, lassoed an even wider audience.
Capturing the sweeping visual imagery of the original miniseries, the “Lonesome Dove” exhibition presents 55 framed classic images taken during filming by Bill Wittliff, renowned photographer, writer, and executive producer (with Suzanne De Passe) of “Lonesome Dove.” The images, however, are worlds apart from ordinary production stills, depicting an extraordinary union of art, literature, and history.
“It’s a classic,” said Megan Buro, marketing manager. “I can remember when the miniseries aired in 1989 and being drawn to the movie then. I still am today, and I think a lot of people are. The casting was amazing; there are memorable lines in the movies, and some of the scenes stick with you. Looking at the pictures will make you want to watch the movie again.”
The exhibition is available to the public until May 4, 2025, in the exhibit gallery at the museum’s Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education, located at 1402 19th Street in Huntsville. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Megan Buro at mlb044@shsu.edu.
Humanities Texas develops and supports diverse programs across the state, including lectures, oral history projects, teacher institutes, museum exhibitions and documentary films. For more information, please visit Humanities Texas online at http://www.humanitiestexas.org or call 512.440.1991.
