Exhibition: Rancheras: Spanish Texas Women and Their Contributions to American Independence

Rancheras: Spanish Texas Women and Their Contributions to American Independence uncovers the overlooked role of women ranch owners in eighteenth-century Texas and their influence during the American Revolution. Through original wills, petitions, and census records, the exhibition shows how women exercised legal and economic authority under Spanish colonial law while managing cattle networks that supported frontier economies and wartime efforts. By linking Texas, Spain, and the Revolution, Rancheras reframes familiar narratives and highlights how local women and regional history shaped global events and the struggle for independence.