Inspired by an exhibition of two shirts worn by Ledger and Gyllenhaal in the film that went on display at the museum in the summer, the Autry Museum has developed an exhibition which will focus on the role of homosexuals in the Old West.

Shirts from "Brokeback Mountain"

 Public interest in the shirts was one of the main motivations for producing “Out West,” according to those involved with the project. If “Brokeback Mountain” helped to open the frontier’s closet door, the Autry is taking the next step by rummaging through the closet’s contents and sharing what it finds with the public.

Buffalo Chairs from the Autry Museum

One of those findings is a pair of wooden “buffalo” chairs from 1841 that was commissioned by Scotsman William Drummond Stewart. The Autry acquired the chairs in the early ’90s but the museum has only recently learned about the history behind the artifacts.

“It was a strange arrangement, that’s for sure. But in many ways, it was a necessary one,” said Jim Wilke, the historian who brought the story to the Autry’s attention.