An exciting local connection to U.S. rodeo history is showcased at the Skagit Historical Museum this winter – a deep dive into the life of local farmer and legendary rodeo bullfighter Wick Peth.
Showing through March 2, 2025, Wick Peth: The Original Rodeo Bullfighter and the History of Rodeo in Skagit County features photos, costumes and memorabilia of the local champion.
Peth’s family offered access to their personal collection, providing an intimate look at the nationally celebrated athlete who, once back at home on his tractor was “just Wick,” says museum Director Jo Wolfe.
“The family just opened their archives and said, ‘Take what you want for the exhibit,’” Wolfe says.
While Peth began his career as a bull rider and steer wrestler, he excelled as a professional bullfighter, using mental and physical fitness to both entertain crowds and support the riders.
“He is probably in every rodeo hall of fame but he’d come home and he was just ‘Wick the farmer.’ Here’s this Skagit kid who did well, but at home he was just an average guy,” Wolfe says.
Beyond rodeo, the exhibition also explores Peth’s ancestors, who came to Skagit as farmers, and the experiences of his wife, Dorothy, and their children, who often accompanied him on these trips across the country in the 1960s and ’70s to watch Peth at Madison Square Gardens or Boston Gardens.
An artful look at Skagit County
Beyond Peth’s story, art is also on the Skagit Historical Museum calendar for 2025.
The Art of Laurie Wells features the work of a prolific local painter, and one of the earlier artists in the county, whose work has been collected by a museum society board member. Also a landscape designer, Wells was instrumental in the launch of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Wolfe notes.
Planning is also underway for a new interactive art competition and exhibit, Everyone’s a Critic, featuring work from current local artists and creators of all ages and skill levels. Pieces in any medium are welcome, with the goal of highlighting the artists’ views of Skagit County of the past, present or future.
“We’ve done a lot of art exhibitions in the past featuring retrospectives of individual artists, and those were really well-received, so we wanted to open it up to people of all ages to be creative,” Wolfe says.
While the initial exhibit will happen in summer 2025, artists are encouraged to start thinking about their pieces now – click here for more information.
Your local holiday shopping destination
The Skagit Museum Store offers an assortment of history-oriented merchandise, including books on local and regional history. You’ll also find distinctive, reasonably priced gift ideas including old-time toys and Native American crafts. Even better, society members receive a 10 percent discount!
Find the Skagit Historical Museum in La Conner at 501 4th St., where you’ll find plenty of free parking, and online here.
This project partially funded by Skagit County Lodging Tax funds, www.visitskagitvalley.com
