Your feel-good story of the day.
When the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City was forced to close due to the coronavirus outbreak, the museum asked its head of security, Tim, to take over their social media networks. Tim and his team are the only ones still working at the museum while it is closed, making him the perfect candidate to continue their social media presence.
Tim, however, does not know social media, and his adorable attempts to learn have gone viral. The museum’s social media accounts may never be able to let Tim go. Before the head of security took over, the museum would post pictures of its exhibits with informative messages. Tim has taken a different route, taking photos of the exhibits but giving his personal takes on them, which are endearing.
“I’m new to social media but excited to share what I am told is called ‘content’ on all of The Cowboy’s what I am told are ‘platforms’ including the Twitter, the Facebook, and the Instagram,” Tim said when he was first assigned to social media.
Hello, my name is Tim and I am the head of security for The Cowboy. I have been asked to take on the additional duty of social media management while the museum is closed. I’m new to this but excited. My team will also continue to protect and monitor the museum. Thanks, Tim Send pic.twitter.com/bPiXD9DoAd
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 17, 2020
One of Tim’s first posts included photo of the hat and eyepatch worn by John Wayne in the original “True Grit.” Tim gave some information about the exhibit before lamenting the fact that he can’t wear the hat.
“This is the hat and eyepatch the Duke wore in the movie True Grit. They are part of our Exhibition about the 2 True Grit. Lots of interesting props and clothes. I’m told I can’t try it on. Hashtag John Wayne. Lucas, my grandson, told me to use hashtags. Thanks, Tim,” he wrote.
This is the hat and eyepatch the Duke wore in the movie True Grit. They are part of our Exhibition about the 2 True Grit. Lots of interesting props and clothes. I’m told I can’t try it on. Hashtag John Wayne. Lucas, my grandson, told me to use hashtags. Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/yNO3RP4uA4
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 17, 2020
His next tweet asked for “Twitter tips, please,” with an immediate follow up saying, “Sorry, thought I was Googling that. Thanks, Tim.” Yes, that means he politely asks Google when searching for information.
Twitter tips, please
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 18, 2020
Sorry, thought I was Googling that. Thanks, Tim
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 18, 2020
Tim wrote “hashtag John Wayne” on another post, this one including the boots worn by Wayne in “True Grit.”
And these are his boots. Hashtag John Wayne. Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/4hVPPT8QX9
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 18, 2020
In another post, Tim showcased the Dorothea Lange exhibit, whose photography captured the west. “That is a photo of her. She looks like someone I’d want to have a beer with. Thanks, Tim,” he wrote.
We have a very cool photography exhibition right now called Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing that runs through May 20, 2020. Her photographs are very moving. That is a photo of her. She looks like someone I’d want to have a beer with. Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/Y63sU1iDC0
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 18, 2020
His next tweet was meant for his grandson: “Lucas, can you read this?”
Lucas, can you read this?
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 18, 2020
The next day, March 19, Tim thanked people for providing him social media tips.
“Thanks for all the tips, Friends. Realize I have been doing the hashtags wrong. I need to use that pound sign from the phone. I’m learning! Here’s his costume from True Grit from 1969 courtesy of John Wayne Enterprises. #HashtagJohnWayne Thanks, Tim,” he wrote.
Thanks for all the tips, Friends. Realize I have been doing the hashtags wrong. I need to use that pound sign from the phone. I’m learning! Here’s his costume from True Grit from 1969 courtesy of John Wayne Enterprises. #HashtagJohnWayne Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/AZu7EidGu2
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 19, 2020
Next, Tim said that “Seth in Marketing said people would love to have me take some photos of our Selfie Stations in The Cowboy.” Tim took the suggestion literally, posting a photo of the floor where a selfie station sign sits.
Seth in Marketing said people would love to have me take some photos of our Selfie Stations in The Cowboy. Here’s one from the Rodeo Gallery. Enjoy! Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/QrRLuTqBIy
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 19, 2020
In a follow-up, Tim said he realized he “Didn’t get the Selfie Station photo quite right. I get it now. Here’s the Selfie Station in the Warhol and the West running through May 10, 2020. Thanks, Tim.” The new photo included him taking a selfie – with the selfie station floor sign.
Didn’t get the Selfie Station photo quite right. I get it now. Here’s the Selfie Station in the Warhol and the West running through May 10, 2020. Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/lDVd8GaIXs
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 19, 2020
Tim included a “dad joke” in one of his tweets about old west chaps.
“Want to borrow some lip balm? You’re looking kind of chapped! Lucas, my grandson, didn’t think it was that funny, but I think you guys will LOL. #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim,” he wrote.
Want to borrow some lip balm? You’re looking kind of chapped! Lucas, my grandson, didn’t think it was that funny, but I think you guys will LOL. #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim. pic.twitter.com/pbUPTWJu8G
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 20, 2020
On March 20, Tim tweeted a photo of a case of cowboy hats, again lamenting the fact that he couldn’t wear them.
“I’m wearing a lot of hats now. Here are some hats I can’t wear. They’re behind glass. Seth in Marketing told me I could share this web address of a Virtual Tour of The Cowboy. It’s a long address so get a pen and paper ready #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim,” he wrote.
I’m wearing a lot of hats now. Here are some hats I can’t wear. They’re behind glass. Seth in Marketing told me I could share this web address of a Virtual Tour of The Cowboy. It’s a long address so get a pen and paper ready #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim https://t.co/8DFS8Kv4lr pic.twitter.com/zLisrehjhl
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 20, 2020
Tim eventually took someone’s suggestion to “post a Tick Tock.” Instead of using the Tik Tok platform, he posted a photo of a clock.
“Someone suggested I post a Tick Tock,” he wrote. “It’s from our Warhol and The West Exhibition. Roy Rogers Alarm Clock c 1951 from The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Inc TC526.36 #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim.”
Someone suggested I post a Tick Tock. It’s from our Warhol and The West Exhibition.
Roy Rogers Alarm Clock c 1951 from The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Inc TC526.36 #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/FTz9Gp5bZH— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 21, 2020
Since Monday, Tim appears to be including more information about exhibits, like the account used to before Tim took over, but he still includes his own charming takes.
“Remington has some pretty amazing paintings too. This is The Sign of the Buffalo Scout painted in 1907. Oil on canvas. 1975.19.6, gift of Albert K. Mitchell, 1975. Great social distancing! #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim,” he wrote.
Remington has some pretty amazing paintings too. This is The Sign of the Buffalo Scout painted in 1907. Oil on canvas. 1975.19.6, gift of Albert K. Mitchell, 1975. Great social distancing! #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/oskfN4EpSu
— Nat’l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 24, 2020
Tim’s story first made social media arounds last week, and the museum’s Twitter account has already doubled its followers since.