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September 8, 2026
Frontier Times Museum director announces retirement
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
After two decades serving as director of the Frontier Times Museum, Rebecca Norton is hanging her hat on the coat rack of retirement. Twenty years ago, while employed as the director of collections at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Norton was invited to take a seat at a small, quirky-but-charming table in Bandera, and she became a community staple.
“From riding in the back of a pickup truck with Kelly Scott during a rodeo grand entry to bonding with Redneck, a sweet longhorn with beautifully crooked horns, this has been a remarkable journey. Along the way, I published two books on the history of Bandera and Medina Lake, wrote a Frontier Tales newspaper column and immersed myself deeper into cowboy history than I ever imagined possible,” Norton said. “But the absolute best part of my time at the museum has been the incredible people I’ve met and the wonderful friends I've made. Where else could one meet visitors from around the world, country and western legends, rodeo clowns, rodeo champions, a former television star from my childhood, the first female sheriff of Kerr County, the first woman county judge for Bandera County, a world-famous trick roper, and Kinky Friedman. Only in Bandera!”
Taking the reins as director is Kim Miles, effective Oct. 1. Miles has been with the museum for 11 years, and also serves as chairperson of the Bandera County Historical Commission. The Frontier Times Museum hosts more than 12,000 visitors a year, and reaches more than 18,000 through social media platforms.
“My life and my 35-year museum career have been made richer by my time here and I thank everyone who supported me throughout this singular adventure,” Norton said. “It’s been quite a ride.”
The public is invited to attend Norton’s retirement party on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 4-7 p.m., at the museum, 510 13th Street, Bandera.
“From riding in the back of a pickup truck with Kelly Scott during a rodeo grand entry to bonding with Redneck, a sweet longhorn with beautifully crooked horns, this has been a remarkable journey. Along the way, I published two books on the history of Bandera and Medina Lake, wrote a Frontier Tales newspaper column and immersed myself deeper into cowboy history than I ever imagined possible,” Norton said. “But the absolute best part of my time at the museum has been the incredible people I’ve met and the wonderful friends I've made. Where else could one meet visitors from around the world, country and western legends, rodeo clowns, rodeo champions, a former television star from my childhood, the first female sheriff of Kerr County, the first woman county judge for Bandera County, a world-famous trick roper, and Kinky Friedman. Only in Bandera!”
Taking the reins as director is Kim Miles, effective Oct. 1. Miles has been with the museum for 11 years, and also serves as chairperson of the Bandera County Historical Commission. The Frontier Times Museum hosts more than 12,000 visitors a year, and reaches more than 18,000 through social media platforms.
“My life and my 35-year museum career have been made richer by my time here and I thank everyone who supported me throughout this singular adventure,” Norton said. “It’s been quite a ride.”
The public is invited to attend Norton’s retirement party on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 4-7 p.m., at the museum, 510 13th Street, Bandera.