While visiting the Tulsa, Oklahoma area I was able to enjoy many of the cultural and historical attractions. Including: Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa Zoo, Oklahoma Aquarium, Heart of Route 66 Museum, and the Sapulpa Historical Museum.

Philbrook Museum of Art

Philbrook Museum Building — Philbrook Museum

The Philbrook Museum of Art is located in Tulsa, Ok opened to the public on October 25, 1939. . The historic 1920’s villa of Waite and Genevieve Phillips and its surrounding 25 acres of gardens are the perfect back drop to showcase the museum’s collections. Located in downtown Tulsa, OK there is a branch of the Philbrook Museum of Art which can be visited on the same day for one admission.

The Italian Renaissance villa is a work of art in and of itself. The main rooms of the house feature travertine and marble fireplaces, a double staircase with stained glass windows, ornate vaulted ceilings painted with Italian Renaissance designs and large windows looking out to the formal gardens.

The permanent collection includes European, American, Native American, Modern African, Asian pieces as well as antiquities.

Carved light wood chest — Carved Wood Chest

Japanese Sengoku of Edo Period Armor ca 1543

In the Glory of God Coiled Clay by Richard Zane Smith 1995

Porcelain Texas Seed Pod by Janet A. Frankovic 1959

Sandblasted and Blown Glass by Dick Huss 1946

William Carlson with Perfume Bottle with Stopper Laminated Glass and Granite 1990 — Perfume Bottle with Stopper Laminated Glass and Granite by William Carlson 1990

There are formal and informal gardens that invite you to enjoy a relaxing stroll. Throughout the gardens there are sculptures and plantings that draw you through to keep discovering the beauty that is just around the bend.

Zen Form VII by Bob Haozous Mild Steel 1988

Hippo Welded Steel Bumper by John Kearney 1973

Oklahoma Autumn Glass and Metal by Eric Baker 1972

The Philbrook Museum offers a varied collection of art in an architecturally interesting building that will please the serious art lover and the casual visitor. I personally enjoyed the building, gardens, sculptures and antiquities the most. http://philbrook.org/

Tulsa Zoo

The Tulsa Zoo focus has been on, family friendly recreation, natural sciences education and supporting the conservation of wildlife for the last 90 years. The zoo is located in Mohawk Park owned by the city of Tulsa and is one of the largest city parks in the United States.

Malayan Tiger At the Tulsa Zoo — Malayan Tiger

The exhibits in the zoo are more than just the animals. They are the habitat and the kinds of animals that live there. Many of the exhibits contain multiple animals living together just as they would in the wild. In addition to that there are daily keeper talks about the animals that server to engage and educate the visitors. Truly, the animals are the main reason to visit the zoo so here are a few of the amazing and majestic animals that make the Tulsa Zoo home. https://tulsazoo.org

scarlet ibis at tulsa zoo — Scarlet Ibis

Southern Screamer at Tulsa Zoo — Southern Screamer

Spectacled Owl at Tulsa Zoo — Spectacled Owl

African Penguin at Tulsa Zoo — African Penguin

San Esteban Chuckwalla at Tulsa Zoo — San Esteban Chuckwalla

Mexican Beaded Lizard at Tulsa Zoo — Mexican Beaded Lizard

chinese alligator at tulsa zoo — Chinese Alligator

Arctic Fox at the Tulsa Zoo — Arctic Fox

Oklahoma Aquarium

Is located on the banks of the Arkansas River in Jenks, OK. The Aquarium finally opened to the public on May 28, 2003 after 19 years of work to build support to bring Dr. P.R. Ramey and Doug Kemper idea to life. There are exhibits that focus on invertebrates, Oklahoma species, Ozark habitats, coral reefs, and sharks. Having an undergraduate degree in zoology with a focus on ocean invertebrates and their habits made a visit to the Oklahoma Aquarium like having a flash back to my college days when I studied on the coral reefs and the intertidal zones of the Atlantic Ocean. The mix of local species and ocean habit made the Oklahoma Aquarium a great spot to visit. https://www.okaquarium.org/

Porcupine pufferfish — Porcupine Pufferfish

Bahama Star underside — Bahama Star Underside

Heart of Route 66 Museum

Heart of Route 66 Museum was born on August of 2016 when a group of “car guys” combine with a Sapulpa, OK, located on the “Mother Road” known as Route 66 to create a car museum. In 2012 Richard Holmes and a group of car enthusiasts started the Tulsa Auto Museum Group, with the purpose of finding a location in Tulsa County for an antique car museum. After four years of searching they almost gave up on the dream when, Tim Dye, curator of the Pontiac Museum in Pontiac, IL called Richard Holmes telling him about the city of Sapulpa, OK old decommissioned armor. After looking at the space they determined it was what they were looking for and they changed their name to Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum.

Currently the museum has a rotating antique car collection. This is due to private collectors allowing their cars to be on display. They also have an exhibit that pays homage to Route 66 and what it meant in the past and what it means today. Before you even enter the museum the 66-foot-tall gas pump sits out in front, just asking you to stop and enjoy the all the amazing antique cars that are on display. https://www.heartofroute66.org/

Sapulpa Historical Museum

In 1968 a group of people wanted to preserve the history of the city that was once called “Crossroads of America”. It was given that distinction because the Highway 66 running east – west and Highway 75 running north – south intersected in Sapulpa, OK. Even before the highways were built, Sapulpa already had a firm place in U.S. history. Sapulpa history started with the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, dated April 30, 1803. But the Indian Removal Act of 1830 followed by the relocation Native American tribes to the area in 1836 and 1837 brought with it an influx of people and traders. The city got its name from on Creek tribesman named Sapulpa.

In the early 1880s, the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad built a spur from Tulsa to the area to transport walnut logs to Eastern markets. Sapulpa befriended the railroad workers, and they began calling this village “Sapulpa Station.” In 1898 Sapulpa was chartered as a town.

Sapulpa Historical Society Model Train Turn Around — Model Train Turn Around

Today the museum honors the history of the area and its people with interesting displays that depict life in Sapulpa, OK from the early days as a territory to present day. They do offer guided tours of the museum which is always a great way to learn about the exhibit and local area. http://www.sapulpahistoricalsociety.com/

Sapulpa Historical Society 1920 -1930 kitchen display — 1920 -1930 Kitchen Display

Sapulpa Historical Society 1890 kitchen display — 1890 Kitchen Display

Sapulpa Historical Society General Mercantile Display

Sapulpa Historical Society Livery & Feed Stable display

Sapulpa Historical Society Maytag Washer Machine — Maytag Washer Machine

Sapulpa Historical Society Kenmore Washer Machine — Kenmore Washer Machine

Sapulpa Historical Society Picture of Sapulpa Fire House #1 — Sapulpa Fire House #1

Sapulpa Historical Society Fire Truck used 1939 -1960 — Fire Truck used 1939 -1960

I hope you enjoyed learning about Tulsa, OK and the surrounding cities. Be sure to share this post with all your friends on Facebook and Instagram.

Things to do in Oklahoma

Route 66 is alive in Oklahoma. We have traveled up and down Route 66 and its side roads as we explore the Northeastern part of Oklahoma. This area is like stepping into a time capsule of the American West.

The Rock Cafe Stroud, OK

The Rock Café epitomizes the enduring spirit of the Route 66. In 1936 Roy Rieves built the café from the sandstone that remained after the constructions of U.S. Route 66. That is why the café is called the Rock Café. Over the years, the Rock Café has endured many hardship such as the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, an F3 tornado and a fire. Through all that the Rock Café remained and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To further confirm the impact of the Rock Café and Route 66, Disney Pixar’s film Cars based the character Sally Carrera on the current owner Dawn Welch.The Rock Café

The Rock Café is a must do for anyone traveling on Route 66. The menu takes standard dinner fare and puts a unique spin on it. The atmosphere is rustic and the staff warm and friendly. We even got asked to sign the visitors book while we waited for our meal. http://rockcafert66.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Caf%C3%A9

Wine in Oklahoma

The first documented winery in the Oklahoma Territory was opened in 1898 by Charles Fairchild. By 1907 the state enacted a prohibition on alcohol. After the repeal of the national prohibition in 1933 the state of Oklahoma continued to imposed prohibition through 1959. It wasn’t until the mid-1990’s along the Route 66 corridor did Oklahoma see an increase in the vineyards and wine production. I am happy to say that we have visited two such vineyards and feel we have tasted the future of wine in Oklahoma.

The Stable Ridge Vineyards

Stable Ridge Vineyards is located on Route 66 in Stroud, OK. The tasting room is housed in an 1898 Catholic Church that was dedicated to those who died in the Civil War. As you taste the wine made from locally grown grapes you are treated to the simple architecture that made up the buildings of the time. Stable Ridge Vineyards makes 11 wines including: Bedlam Chardonnay, Riesling, Peachy P, White Zinfandel, Beau Blanc, Montage, Centennial Red, Ridge Port Select, Cabernet Sauvignon, Wild Thang, and Jeremiah’s Red. http://www.stableridgevineyards.com/

The Tidewater Winery

Tidewater Winery is located in Drumright, OK. The tasting room is the 8,000-square foot Federal Style Tidal School built by John D. Rockefeller company and later owned by J. Paul Getty. The school was to provide a first-rate education to the children of the oilfield worker. Tidewater winery makes ten different wines including: Moscato, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Way White, Cimarron Red, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Rush, White Zinfandel, and Sweet Jimmy Jane. All the labels on the bottles are of the mural depicting the history of Drumright. http://www.tidewaterwinery.com/

The owners of both these wineries have not only contributed to the regrowth of wine making in Oklahoma, they have also preserved the history and architecture of the area. If you are traveling Route 66 and love wine be sure to support these trail blazing wine makers.

Drumright Historical Society Museum

The Drumright Historical Society Museum was founded by Emma E. Akin in 1965 and is housed in the 1915 Santa Fe Railway Depot, which is on the National Register of Historic places. Mrs. Akin was passionate about education and the museum certainly carries on her vision of preserving the history of life in Oklahoma during the oil boom to current times.

The first thing you see when entering the museum is an eight-foot mural that tells the history of Drumright and Oklahoma from the arrival of the Spanish and French, the trappers and traders, the Trail of Tears and the discovery of oil.

On March 17, 1912 oil was discovered in Drumright. By 1917 Drumright and the neighboring towns of Shamrock and Oilton became the largest oilfields at that time. With the oil boom came an influx of people ready to capitalize on the wealth that came with finding oil. The setting as well as the artifacts paint a picture of a time when fortunes were made and lost on the backs of hard working men and women. There is still oil being drilled but the boom is over and all that remains is the small-town America and its rich history.

Drumright Historical Society Museum Mural

Replica of The first Oil Well of the Oil Boom in Drumright, OK

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

“The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum preserves and interprets the evolving history and cultures of the American West for the education and enrichment of its diverse audiences of adults and children.”

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is located on the top of Persimmon Hill overlooking Oklahoma City. The museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens that only enhance the setting. The portico at the entrance looks like a line of tents that would have been seen back when the west was wild. Once you enter the museum your eye is drawn to the magnificent 18-foot sculpture “The End of the Trail” by James Earle Fraser. This sculpture sets the stage for the amazing collection of fine art, and culture of the American west. The galleries take you from life on the frontier to modern day rodeos. Each gallery expertly presents a glimpse into what life was like for the Native American, frontier military, and cowboy of the west.

I found this museum to be truly amazing. The roll of the horse for me was the most interesting part of the museum. Even though we have modernized the making of saddles and horse tack, the basic form and function has remained the same. Now when I get into my saddle I will feel even more connected to my American heritage. For more information click this link https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/about-the-museum/

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

The End of the Trail Sculpture At the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Canyon Princess Sculpture At the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Native American Artifacts At the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

The Rodeo Gallery at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

The Military Gallery at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Western Saddle at the entry of The American Cowboy Gallery, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum — Western Saddle at the entry of The American Cowboy Gallery

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

On April 19, 1995 at 9:01 AM a bomb exploded on the street in front of the Oklahoma City’s Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. This act of terrorism shocked not only Oklahoma City but the entire nation. On that day 168 people lost their lives and countless others were affected by such a horrific event. Many lessons were learned as a result of the bombing and a community came together to rise above the hatred that inspired this act of violence.

Today, on the site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building is the sacred Oklahoma City National Memorial. Every aspect of the memorial is designed to honor all the people effected by the bombing and to inspire hope for the future. The Mission Statement sets the stage for what you will find when entering the Memorial. Every aspect of the Memorial is designed to remind us of the great loss and the coming together of a community.

“The Mission Statement

We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.” https://oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/about/mission-statement/

Entry Plaque at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Reflecting Pool and Enry Arch of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Survivor Tree Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

The Field of Empty Chairs at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Gilcrease Museum

The Gilcrease Museum houses a vast collection of fine art, anthropology and archival items that bring the American West to life. When you visit, you will view the history of the American West through the art of Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell, Charles Schreyvogel and Frank Tenney Johnson. You’ll find landscape paintings of Thomas Moran and Albert Bierstadt, and works by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler and William Merritt Chase.

What I found most interesting was the Plains Indian Art. The Plains Indians lived a hard life and yet they saw the beauty in what was around them and incorporated it into everyday life. I was also inspired by their ability to change and adapt to survive. Through their art, you are able to get a glimpse in the Native American values and culture. For more information about the Gilcrease Museum visit https://gilcrease.org/

Native American Basket at the Gilcrease Museum

Native American Beaded Mocassins at the Gilcrease Museum

Native American Clay Figure at the Gilcrease Museum

The Sacred Rain Arrow Sculpture at the Gilcrease Museum

The Page Memorial Library Sand Springs, OK

Charles Page lost his father at the age of 11, and was forced to go to work to help support his mother and siblings. This experience inspired Charles to create a planned community where widows and orphans could live and become more productive members of society. To achieve his vision Charles purchased land and encouraged businesses to come the Sand Springs to provide jobs and income that sustained the orphanage and homes.

The Page Memorial Library was donated to the city of Sand Springs in 1930 by Lucile Page in memory of her husband Charles Page. Today the building is a museum depicting the history of Sand Springs and the progressive thinking of Charles Page. The building is in the art deco style which is evident on the exterior facade and in the interior with its cork flooring and chandeliers. We were fortunate to have a guided tour of the building while hearing the history of Sand Springs from a gentleman that has called it home for most of his live. http://www.sandspringsok.org/index.aspx?NID=480

Page Memorial Library Exterior Sand Springs, OK

Charles Page statue in Sand Springs, OK — Charles Page Statue

Page Memorial Library Interior Sand Springs, OK

I hope you get a chance to travel Route 66 and experience this iconic highway.