Albumen photograph of Wild West Performers

Unidentified · ca. 1905

This picture of American western entertainers, particularly notable for its display of ethnic and gender diversity, is an example of the uniqueness that also characterized the internationally popular Buffalo Bill’s performing Congress of Rough Riders of the World. The Riders consisted largely of former U. S. and foreign military veterans, recruited to re-enact a highly sensationalized, literal “theater” of wars, skirmishes, weapons and equestrian skill. Traveling troupes like the one pictured, created profound impressions of race relations in and beyond the Americas that last to this day.