The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Okla., is closed due to the spread of the coronavirus. But that hasn't stopped it from gaining more than 270,000 Twitter followers in the last month.



That's thanks to Tim, the museum's director of security and operations services, who has taken over the museum's official Twitter feed since March 17. The museum is not releasing his last name.



"Hello, my name is Tim and I am the head of security for The Cowboy," he tweeted on day one. "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"



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

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That authentic voice, complete with technology fumbles, has gone viral. The museum had 9,789 followers on March 16 and now has 285,900 and growing.



"Knowing that security would be left in the building no matter what, we had the idea of showing the Museum to the world from the perspective of Tim," said Gina Anderson, a museum spokeswoman. "What we’ve found is an authentic voice for the Museum; what we didn’t anticipate was how much that voice would resonate with people during this difficult time."





Tim's tweets include attempts at hashtags — which led to the reference now used on most tweets, #HashtagTheCowboy — and selfies.



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 Much like the 2006 film "Night at the Museum," a security guard is roving an empty museum bringing exhibits "to life" — but this time he's tweeting about it with the museum's full approval.Tim's tweets include attempts at hashtags — which led to the reference now used on most tweets, #HashtagTheCowboy — and selfies.

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



He also peppers his tweets with references to his family and "dad jokes" that demonstrate enthusiasm for the museum's exhibits and art.



He also peppers his tweets with references to his family and "dad jokes" that demonstrate enthusiasm for the museum's exhibits and art.

Here’s pottery from our Colors of Clay exhibition that displays different pots, pitchers and jars that were part of Native American daily life. Hope it bowls you over. LOL! Ceramic bowl by unknown artist. Mimbres Culture Ca. 1,000 AD, clay & pigment #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/iazg5c4cx5 — Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 27, 2020

This is a Charles M. Russell, the pocket watch guy, painting called The Call of the Law. Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? 1911, oil on canvas 1975.20.1 gift of Albert K. Mitchell, 1975 #HashtagTheCowboy Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/iuEuN2JRDI — Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 27, 2020

Oklahoma is under a statewide stay-at-home order until April 30. Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) has ordered all nonessential businesses to remain closed. The state has reported more than 60 deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.