Adventure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In Celebration of Dude Ranchers’ Association Centennial, “100 Years of Dude Ranching” Book Planned
(June 11, 2024) — In celebration of the upcoming centennial of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, the DRA, Ranch Preservation Foundation and the Dude Ranch Foundation are collaborating on a book project to commemorate the 100th anniversary. The photo-driven, coffee table-style book is titled 100 Years of Dude Ranching: Celebrating the Centennial of the Dude Ranchers’ Association.
The book will feature a history of the DRA and dude ranching, as well as a featured section of those “Centennial Ranches” that were accepting guests in 1926 and are still in operation today, plus written inclusion of all current DRA member ranches across the U.S. and Canada. The book will include large-scale modern photographs of the Centennial Ranches and historic images throughout. Proceeds from the book’s sales will be donated to the Dude Ranch Foundation for its non-profit work in the dude ranching industry.
As defined by this project, Centennial Ranches are those that were accepting guests in 1926 when the DRA was founded and continue to operate as dude ranches as members of the DRA today. The project team will canvass the DRA membership to confirm which ranches qualify. Among those are some of the very first dude ranches in the country such as Eaton’s Ranch in Wyoming and the O.T.O. Dude Ranch in Montana.
The project has garnered an experienced team to assist in the writing, editing, photography, production and publication of the book.
Lynn Downey, historian and award-winning author of American Dude Ranch: A Touch of the Cowboy and the Thrill of the West, and member of the Dude Ranch Foundation board of directors will author a written history of the DRA and dude ranching.
Professional photographer Scott T. Baxter will capture images of the Centennial Ranches for this project. His fine art photography work of the American West is in numerous museums and private collections. In 2012, he completed 100 Years 100 Ranchers, an official Legacy Project for the Arizona Centennial featuring 100 families who had been ranching in the state for 100 years.
Barbara Denney, who served as the creative director at Arizona Highways magazine, working with the publication for almost 25 years, will lead creative direction and production of this centennial project.
As requested by the DRA, member ranches that were in operation and accepting guests in 1926 should contact the association to verify inclusion in the book project.
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About Ranch Preservation Foundation
Ranch Preservation Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit founded to promote the protection, restoration and preservation of historic western ranches and related projects. The foundation honors the storied histories of each unique property to maintain the connection to the past and history of dude ranching. Current projects include work with the O.T.O. Dude Ranch, Montana’s first dude ranch and Rancho de la Osa, one of the most historic ranches in Arizona.
The Dude Ranchers’ Association – All Ranches
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Contact the Dude Ranchers Association:
info@duderanch.org | 307-587-2339 | 1122 12th St., Cody, WY 82414
