Friends of the C.F. Coffee Galley

Purpose of the Gallery is to:

  • Develop and describe the origin, evolvement, and development of the cattle industry on the High Plains and said industry’s past, present, and future social and economic effect on the High Plains;

  • Transmit and extend to the public the cultural, literary, and historic knowledge of the cattle industry; provide a resource for research; and,

  • Extend and support the academic programs of the College as they relate to the cattle industry.

To learn more, visit http://cfcoffeegallery.com/

Trek to “The Spade”

This three-year program will provide an opportunity for a participant/student to trek in the boot steps of early day ranchers.   You will learn (1) how early day ranches were capitalized and managed, and (2) the impact of land settlement and homesteading laws that shaped land settlement.

The period of study is 1863 through 1935.

FREE to Members of the ‘Friends of the C.F. Coffee Gallery’

Pre-Register below or at the Front Desk of the Sandoz Center at Chadron State College

Upcoming Events - Register Today!

  • Year One: Early Ranching in Sioux County, NE

    September 15-16, 2023

    September 15th

    A Study of Early Ranching in Sioux County, NE

    3 p.m. Tour of the C.F. Coffee Gallery and Exhibits

    Discussion of Railroad Transportation, Early Cattle Markets, Open Range Ranching, and the Ecology of the Hard Grass Prairie 

    September 16th

    Tour of Coffee Siding, the Harrison Stockyards, and select Open Range Ranches

    Meet at Coffee Siding at 10 a.m. (8 miles West of Harrison, NE on US 20)

    Lunch is Provided

  • Year Two: The Last Roundup at Oelrichs Ranch, SD

    September 13-14, 2024

    September 13th

    3 – 5 pm – Tour of the C.F. Coffee Gallery and Exhibits (CF Coffee Gallery at Chadron State College)

    1. Discussion of the early trails

    2. The Discovery of ‘Gold in the Black Hills’ and its Impact on the Development of the Cattle Industry on the High Plains

    3. Overview of the Anglo-American Cattle Company

    September 14th

    10 am – meet at the Oelrichs Ranch marker (west side of Hiway 385 at Oelrichs, SD)

    Tour of the Anglo-American Cattle Company ranch site and other Early Ranches in southwest South Dakota.

    Lunch is Provided

  • Year Three: The Spade Ranch Reunion, Ellsworth, NE

    2025

    The Ecology of the Sand Hills Prairie

    A Trek to the Spade: 

    Land Settlement Patterns:  The People of Sand Hills Ranching Country

    Spade Ranch Tour

Friends of C.F. Coffee Gallery Membership

“Friends” Membership Levels

  • Friend:  Annual support of $30 single, $40 couple, $50 family/entity

  • Friend (Contributor):  Greater than $50

  • Friend (Lifetime Membership):  $1,000 and greater

  • Exhibit Sponsor Level:  Annual support of $2,000 and greater

Other Support

  • Founders Level:  Gifts of $25,000 and greater

  • Endowment Level:  Help build the C.F. Coffee Gallery endowment to over $5 million

The Objectives of ‘Friends’ is to:

  • Assist and provide financial support to Chadron State College (CSC) for the continued development of the C.F. Coffee Gallery (Gallery) exhibit area, repository, programming, and website; and

  • Provide support to CSC’s rangeland/agricultural academic programs and facilities.