Sadly it's the end of an era.

We just learned that the Roy Rogers Museum in Branson, MO. has closed.

The owner, Roy's son Dusty said they had to close because they were losing too much money due to the bad economy and lack of visitors.

My husband and I have been to Branson twice and visited the museum both times.

It was an extensive overview of Roy and Dale's lives.

We spent hours in there and still didn't see everything.

Trigger, Trigger Jr., Buttermilk (Dale's horse), and their dog Bullet are all immortalized by taxidermy in life-like positions.

Nellybelle, the jeep from the TV show was there too.

There was a section showing pictures of Roy's co-stars from the many films he made.

A video of their children talking about Roy and Dale was very moving.

As you may or may not know they had both natural and adopted children.
They loved children and did a lot of charity work on their behalf.

They also had a lot of sorrow in their lives, having lost several of their precious children.

Roy's natural son Dusty, ran the museum and had a show there.
We met him when he welcomed visitors after every show in the foyer and gift shop.
He was very warm and friendly. He talked to people and had pictures taken with them; as though he was a long lost relative.

I can understand why the visitors have waned. The younger generation of today don't really know Roy and Dale, including my children.

Their popular TV show from the 50's never made it to reruns like "I Love Lucy" has.

The contents of the museum including Trigger will be auctioned off by Christie's

At least we have memories and Dale's books.

Happy Trails Roy and Dale. It was a pleasure to know you.