I had no idea. This is the phrase I heard all afternoon at the new Oklahoma History Center near our State Capitol.
Around every turn, standing in front of each exhibit, I saw young and
old pushing buttons, opening drawers, and flipping pages. Grandparents'
stories began with, When I was growing up, we had one of those, or I
remember your great-grandpa used to. My mother and I had a delightful
afternoon reminiscing about her childhood and mine.
About the Center
The center sits on 18 acres. Outdoor exhibits include the Devon Energy
Oil and Gas Park, featuring a full-size oil derrick and oil field
equipment. On the south side of the center is the Red River Journey, a
quarter-mile walking tour that replicates the terrain and plant life of
the Red River Valley. Directly in front of the main entrance is the
OG&E Energy Corporation's 14 Flag exhibit with explanations as to
each country's importance to the state of Oklahoma.
Inside the center, directly above the lobby area, hangs Wiley Post's
restored plane, the Willie Mae. This plane serves as a symbol of the
tone and theme of the center to tell the story of the innovation and
courage of the Oklahoma people. The center is divided into four
permanent exhibit spaces, an area for special exhibits, a research
center, a gift shop, and the Winnie Mae Cafe.
Inasmuch Gallery
Begin your visit with the nine-minute video overview of the center and
the history of Oklahoma. Move through exhibits highlighting Oklahoma
broadcast personalities and the broadcasting industry. Kids will
particularly enjoy experimenting in the radio studio. The Wild West
Show exhibit, featuring the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch and Pawnee Bill
and Buffalo Bill Shows, explains the purpose and popularity of the
shows and displays costumes, memorabilia, and equipment. Many famous
Oklahoma athletes and coaches are featured in exhibits filled with
jerseys, equipment, pictures, and illustrated stories. Oklahoma authors
and musicians are highlighted with interactive exhibits where visitors
can listen to readings and songs. Other exhibits show the ethnic
diversity of Oklahoma, telling the story of Chinese, Latino, German,
Czech, and Jewish immigrants. Before you leave this area, stop in the
1920s theater and see the short video highlighting how Oklahoma and
Oklahomans have been portrayed in film.
ONEOK Gallery
This gallery focuses on the story of Oklahoma Indians as told by
Oklahoma Indians. Begin your tour of this gallery by sitting under the
brush arbor and learn how Oklahoma became home to 39 American Indian
tribes. You'll find artifacts, photographs, art, and oral histories
describing the migration, cultural assimilation, and cultural revival
of the Indian population. Visitors can learn about the 69 Indian
languages and listen to songs that would accompany traditional tribal
dances. Highlights of this area include the Glass Tipi and the log
cabin exhibits which give visitors an inside view into these
traditional structures. Banners highlighting American Indians who made
significant contributions to Oklahoma hang from the ceiling.
The Noble Foundation Gallery
This area highlights Oklahoma history starting with the first land-run
and moves through the 1950s. See the actual white silk scarf and watch
that began the run, the contents of one family's covered wagon, and the
promotional material that drew people to the run. Visitors can sit on a
reconstructed trolley car and watch a video on the growth of cities in
Oklahoma. The gallery also holds exhibits highlighting politics, law
enforcement, farming, ranching, and homemaking. Be sure to stop by the
sod house exhibit. Children were fascinated by the Oklahoma Outlaw area
and the weather exhibits, featuring a video on Oklahoma tornadoes.
The Kerr-McGee Gallery
The history of transportation, the military, African Americans, and
business in Oklahoma are featured here. There is a fascinating exhibit
of artifacts recovered from the 1830s riverboat Heroine which was
recently excavated from the Red River. Learn about the contributions of
African Americans to the progress of Oklahoma and the Tulsa race riots.
One of the most interesting exhibits displays Oklahomans part in
aviation, from the first airplanes to the space shuttle. Don't miss the
3-D oil derrick in the oil and gas industry exhibit.
Other Galleries
The C.A. Vose Wing and the E.L. & Thelma Gaylord gallery contain
temporary and special exhibits. Currently the Vose Gallery holds the
Gemini 6 capsule and other space-related artifacts featuring the career
of Thomas Stafford. The Gaylord gallery houses an exhibit of special
Zink race cars.
Throughout the center are 200 interactive audio and video
experiences. You will want to allow at least four hours to explore the
center, regardless of the ages of those in your party. Take a break at
the Winnie Mae Cafe which, even on a Sunday afternoon, had plenty of
seating for families. The cafe is casual, but has a fabulous view of
the suspended Willey Post plane and the state capitol.
Oklahoma History Center
2401 N Laird, NE corner 23rd and Lincoln, OklahomaHistoryCenter.org, 522-5248.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 12-5pm. Admission: $5 for adults; $3 for children 5 and over.
Pam Washington is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the
University of Central Oklahoma. She and her husband Mike have been
married for six years and have traveled Oklahoma with their blended
family of five children.